Self-diagnosis?

[angieleigh]

Hi everyone. I'm a 26 year old female living in Miami (I'm a transplant- really from TN/KY)... since September I've had 4 UTIs, all of which have come back positive. To me, it hasn't felt like a typical UTI. When we first moved, I got one (June 2005) and it was the kind with all the symptoms- frequency urinating, burning, small amounts each time... these begin with a pressure/ fullness in my pelvic region and lower back. Also, as embarassing as it was, I also told my doctor that right before my husband and I have intercourse, the pain worsens in the same area. It hurts and is very uncomfortable... I had a UTI Nov. 20 and my doctor put me on Levaquin, which has helped in the past. All seemed to be going well, but on Nov. 29, but pains were back, so I stopped by for a urine test on the 30th. Low and behold, I had another UTI. He said he didn't know what to do... I trust him though... I already have an appt. with a urologist and was able to move it up to Dec. 13... so in the meantime, he put me on Bac Trim? The generic is called Sulfamethoxazole. Again, all was well, but yesterday I had horrible pain in the afternoon and had the heating pad on it almost all night. This morning I still hurt...

Does this sound like what a "flare" is? I came across this website last night because I'm frustrated about what is going on with my body. I know something is not right... it was like this a few years ago (2001) when my gallbladder pretty much quit working. It took forever for them to figure out it was in fact my gallbladder... I just don't want this to be the same process...

If you have any thing to share, I'm all ears... Thank you for your time and God Bless...

~*~*Angieleigh~*~*

[meme]

Angieleigh-
Its hard to tell, but IC is definetly a possibility. My flares can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a week or so. Have you noticed if you've eaten anything acidic, like tomatoes or citrus? Those can be hard on an IC bladder and cause major pain. Sometimes it takes forever to get a final diagnosis for IC. I would make sure to mention the possibility to the Uro. A lot of us seem to get infections easily. I used to have them all the time. My Uro thought they were making me get more flares so she put me on macrodantin any time I have intercourse. Its helped a lot, I feel so much better the next day. I have pain sometimes with intercourse also, and if I don't stop right away the pain can last for the whole next day. That's really no fun. Hope your Uro appointment goes well and that you feel better soon.

[angieleigh]

Meme,

You described exactly what happens to me... I guess that is why I hurt so bad yesterday and into today. It hurts worse at night, too... I walk around alot throughout the course of my day at work and I realized the more I do, the more it makes it seem even worse. Not that sitting down really helps, either. But the heating pad is my friend! Thanks so much for your advice.

[ICNDonna]

If every flare is testing positive for infection through cultures, it could be that you have a stubborn infection --- if you've taken lots of antibiotics, it could be an antibiotic-resistant strain.

Usually interstitial cystitis isn't considered unless there are symptoms with no infection.

I hope you find some answers soon.

Donna