Please help

[Sally939]

I posted this in a different section but then saw this section. I should have posted it here. Please help. I do not know where to start. But before I go on I want to apologize for this random post. I talked to an Urologist and he said he thought I had IC. I plan on making an appointment first thing in the morning with an Urologist. Off and on for the past four months I have felt like I had a really bad UTI. I have mostly frequency and horrible urgency. In short, I feel like I have to pee so bad all the time and it does not stop. The medicine that numbs your pee does not seem to work, or if they are I must be really bad off. The test strips come back that I do not have a UTI. In the recent past when my urine was cultured it came back ok, but I thought that was because I was on an antibiotic. In the long term past I have had many UTIs. Since I spoke to the Urologist (a work associate) I have been crying off and on. The idea of feeling this way for the rest of my life is not ok. I currently do not really have any pain, just a HORRIBLE urge to void. I am so scared that this is just the beginning and it will get worse and really painful. I can not take anymore. Honestly, I can not take this. The new diet is enough to cry about. As of this morning I have had to give up my diet caffeine free coke (my best friend in a can) and smoking. I am so scared that I will develop pain with sex and will never be able to keep a healthy relationship. I know this is a bit too much info but my sever discomfort is in the urethra. Does this sound like IC to you all? How long do flare ups last? Does anyone have doc they recommend in Louisville, KY? It seemed to start with ginko and then stopped when I stopped the ginko. Then it started again with Luvox (an anxiety med) and stopped when I stopped taking it. Now I am taking keflex for a tooth that is infected and had a root canal. Do meds cause this? What about ibprophen and other over the counter pain meds. Please help.

[leelee88]

Hello, Ibphophen can be hard on your bladder..
The symptoms you are explaining sound like IC. But You really need to go to a URO to get a true Dx so you can get on some meds that can help you..

[cindydi]

It sounds like IC to me but go to your uro and see what he says. In my experience I had better luck w/a urogyne.

I was dx with IC last January. I can tell you that with the proper treatment I have started to feel better. THere is hope, just make sure you get to a doc that understands IC. The Interstitial cystitis association can provide you with docs in your area.

I will be praing for you to get better. :pray: :pray: :angel:

Hugs

Cindy

[shell]

I remember how scary it was to find out that I might have a medical condition that has no known cure. But now, more than 15 years after my diagnosis, I feel that I have more control over my IC symptoms than they have over me.

IC is not a progressive disease so if you don't have pain at this point there is reason to believe you may never have pain as a symptom. My symptoms have always been just frequency and urgency, never pain.

It took me quite a while to try the various treatment options including medications and diet modifications to discover what works best for me and my symptoms. Now that I've done that, I lead a relatively normal life and my symptoms are better now than when I was first diagnosed.

If it is determined that you do have IC, you'll find some great people and information at this site.

[jubejube]

hi there,
it sounds like IC to me, but as others have mentioned, its important to get diagnosed by a doctor, so you can start some treatment that will work for you. I have learned that everyone's IC is just a little bit different.
But i totally understand, as someone who was recently diagnosed myself, how overwhelming it can be to think you have a medical condition, and then to be diagnosed... But I can honestly say that as time goes on, you will start to feel a lot better... emotionally and hopefully physically.
Check out the IC diet in the handbook on this site. A lot of my symptoms are urethral, and the diet has been a blessing.
This forum will also give you lots of information in regards to IC, and you will see that a lot of ppl on this site live very normal, and happy lives... including their sex lives, with IC. Remember there are other ways to have sex!
Sorry you are having such a hard time right now. I hope your appointment with the Urologist will help, and if you have any questions you can PM me, or ask any of the wonderful people on this site. Everyone is very welcoming and helpful! I hope you feel better very soon.
Take Care,
jube

[vm]

Your symptoms sound A LOT like mine were. BUT, it is important to rule other things out and the urologist can help you do that.

Here's the thing - IF it is IC, and you don't know that yet, it is possible to get to a place of feeling better. Most people do go on to find treatments that help them feel much better. It can take time, but most folks with IC do get there.

I know the diet is hard but it can really help your symptoms so it is worth hanging in there and really trying to stick with it.

You can read my story if you are interested by clicking the link below my name. Keep us posted, OK? :kissing: