Hello again...

[Trina7020]

I posted awhile back that I had been given an IC diagnosisand prescribed Elmiron with just a conversation with my OB. Here is the original post with my history... http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43421

I was leary so I went to a different OB who felt is wasn't IC and more than likely Endo.

So basically I have been doing nothing to treat myself because I don't know what to do.


My symptoms have gotten worse. I was just having pain and this occassional feeling that I had to pee when I didn't. But for the past week or so, it is nearly unbearable. My pain is mostly located in my vagina area, but it feels like the worse burning I have ever experienced. Also like that I have to go pee feeling, but to the uttmost painful extreme. And when I run to te bathroom every 30 seconds I get like 3 drips out. It is worse in the morning. It typically starts when I empty my bladder first thing in the morning and continues until I drink enough water to be able to actually go a couple of times. It happens other times occassionally but the mornings are worse and pretty consistant. The other morning I stopped at 2 gas stations on my 15 minute drive to work because I just knew I had to pee.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what doctor to call.... I have already seen two. I am starting to think Ido have IC... maybe endo too... maybe I have both. I just don't know at this point what to do.

Trina

[gopher7895]

Trina...So sorry to hear you've been going through so much pain. Have you seen a urologist? In the beginning my pain was vaginal burning so I kept seeing my gyn who didn't know much about IC. After a while I got horrible urgency and frequency problems and that's when I got referred to the urologist. Have you tried the IC diet? It's been a lifesaver for me and made a huge difference just a week after starting it. Hope you feel better soon!

[HistoryKat]

I swore that the pain I feel was vaginal. During the pelvic exam, the doctor who diagnosed me was able to pinpoint the source of the pain actually being the bladder.

I hope you get some relief.

Kat

[Cricketmk3]

I was diagnosed with IC by a urologist after only a conversation about my symptoms. It was later verified by a cystoscopy but I was more than happy to start on Elmiron after the first visit if it was going to help my painful symptoms. He told me it would take the Elmiron a while to work so I think I took some on my way home from the pharmacy!!

[elamar]

When all this first started for me, turns out that I developed a yeast infection after taking all the antibiotics for what I first thought was at UTI. A yeast infection will cause lots of burning pain and urgency. I never had heavy discharge when I had the yeast, and didn't know I had it because it didn't feel like when I've had a typical yeast infection in the past. Also, ask if maybe in the meantime, you can get on some overactive bladder meds to control the frequency. I recently switched back to Prosed DS which helps alot. It calms down the spams and helps cut back the frequency alot. You can also get uristat at the local pharmacy like Walgreens that is a weaker version of gosh, I drew a blank, it is a medicine that turns your urine orange! That might help in the meantime until maybe you can get a better diagnosis. Hope this helps.

[littlemyrn]

I have had endo and lapros 3 times to remove it. I have since had a hysto, but what you are describing to me sounds like my symptoms and have officially been dx'd with IC. When a pelvic exam was performed on me all those years, I would go to the bathroom before and the doctor would come in and do the exam and I swear I thougt I was going to come off the table, because of the pressure of her pushing there to check ovaries and everything else. I would have to go again as soon as she was through. I of course was living with this for over 20 years before official dx'd. My husband would get so mad at me when we went on trips because I had to have him stop for me to go to the bathroom every 30 min. and when I went it was nothing. So keep seeking another opinion have someone look inside your bladder. Mine going undx'd spased so much that they said it looked like a 70 year old and I was 42. Scare tissue everywhere, lots of bleeding, etc.

I hope you get the answers you deserve.

[Kathy in Canada]

Hi,

It is fairly common for women to have IC and endometriosis (they are called the evil twins).

However, vaginal pain is common with IC. When you have a pelvic exam and the dr pushes up on the anterior side of your vagina, it will likely hurt due to the fact that your bladder and urethra are just on the other side.

Also, many women with IC have pelvic floor dysfunction as well and this can also cause vaginal pain.

Take care,

Kathy

[sickofmybladder]

Your symptoms do seem to be very "familiar" - I would suggest that you see a urologist - have you checked the physician list on this website?

Good luck - it is a very frustating process - I went to numerous doctors before I found the one I see now - who was able to "suggest" that it sounded like I.C. at my first appt (it was later confirmed by cysto/hydro).

In the meantime - have you tried the diet? It might help calm things down a bit........