IC flares and period...

[lindz]

Hello everyone,

I hope this is a good place to post this...

I've been getting a really bad flare around the same time every month. It's so bad I panic and wonder if it could be a UTI every time, so I end up treating myself with antibiotics (Macrobid - my doctor gave me refills and I take one after intercourse). I'm so careful and clean and never fail to take an antibiotic after intercourse, so I don't see how they could be UTIs. Does anyone get flares that are just as bad as a UTI? Generally I can drink lots of water and ease my flares, but this monthly flare isn't helped by drinking water.

Does anyone else have flares or worsened symptoms they feel are related to their periods? That's what I think this must be...

Any suggestions as to how to prevent or lessen the symptoms? I haven't tried making my diet blander around that time (I already don't drink coffee or eat anything citrus or acidy) yet.

Thanks,

Lindsey

[traceann]

Hey Lindsey! Even though my bladder has been on the good behavior list for some time now, Ovulation & PMS can still remind me my bladder's there! I was definitely one that hormones aggrivated things! And I would say that that is one of the toughest things - to tell the difference between a real UTI and a flare, lol. I keep the UTI test strips around the house to be a guide for whether or not I should be contacting the doctor right away or to wait a bit.

Hope you feel better soon!!!!!!!!

Hugs!

[lindz]

Hey Lindsey! Even though my bladder has been on the good behavior list for some time now, Ovulation & PMS can still remind me my bladder's there! I was definitely one that hormones aggrivated things! And I would say that that is one of the toughest things - to tell the difference between a real UTI and a flare, lol. I keep the UTI test strips around the house to be a guide for whether or not I should be contacting the doctor right away or to wait a bit.

Hope you feel better soon!!!!!!!!

Hugs!

Thanks for your reply!

Do those UTI test strips really work? I've never tried one and figured they didn't work. Prepare for some questions... :rolleyes:

Where do you get yours/what brand?

How soon do they work?

I know half the battle would be knowing whether I had an infection or not. If it's an infection, it'll just be getting worse. If it's a flare, I know to just sit tight and wait it out.

[traceann]

LOL, I found some at my local Rite Aid that I really liked - they were made by the AZO brand, and they tested for nitrites and white blood cells. I had good luck using them as a gauge. If I tested negative and still felt symptoms I would test again, etc. It really did help me to figure out if I needed to place a call to the doctor to be seen etc. Once when I told them what my strip came up with, they just called me in an Rx, lol.

Hope this helps a little bit!!!!

[lindz]

Thanks, Tracy! It's worth a try. :-)

[traceann]

You're welcome!! ;)

[Jen27]

Period makes my IC act up and go haywire. I tired Seasonale, the 4 x a year period birth control pill and had bad luck. I bled/spotted for almost a month which was wreaking havoc on my bladder! During my "girly times" of the month, I pick out the UGLIEST biggest cottoniest granny panties, change my "feminine napkin" often and of course, keep that area hygenic, with water. When i say granny panties, I mean so big that I have to fold them over. The best part is that they are inexpensive, sold in packs of ugly patterns/colors and I can laugh about them. There are great wipes @ the ICNshop that are sensitive to our tender areas and I plan on trying them. I also wear loser fitting pants. I've heard that water bottles can also reduce external pain and inflammation. Good luck!!