urethral burning

[glassd18]

Is urethral burning considered a symptom of IC? I had a cystoscopy and the uro found, what she called, urethral polyps, but explained that they are not the type that are removed, but are indication of inflammation, and are treated with antibiotics. I hoped at that time that I found a reason for all my symptoms and bladder problems, but I still think I have IC. I tried anti's for three months, but switched brands a lot, and I saw no difference in symptoms at all. I will try the bactrim 1/day for 6 months again, if I don't flare, and see what happens. I'm just trying to figure this all out...AGAIN!!! Sorry if I've repeated myself.

[dverba]

Did your dr check the bladder for signs of IC? Have you had the potassium test?

[glassd18]

Hi DeAnna,

No I didn't have a cysto/hydro, but my uro wanted to do it. I really didn't want to go under general anesthia so I opted for the in-office cysto just to rule out cancer, and my bladder looked normal, but I realize that it needs to be distended to see the glomurelations (sp?) typical of IC. I just chose not to.

She would not do the Potassium Sensitivity Test because she feels that this is a cruel test due to the pain in can cause.

[Claredale]

The PST test is not nearly as painful as an in office cysto. As soon as you feel pain, you will want to fly off the table if you have IC, but the nurse quickly puts a lidocaine solution in and your bladder calms right back down. I was a little sore for a short time until my pain meds kicked in, but I was able to drive home and all. I also had the hydro/cysto so that my doctor could see what stage I was in. It gave me a since of relief to know what I was dealing with.

[glassd18]

The only discomfort I had during the cysto was the burning in my urethra. The uro did not fill my bladder very much because she said that it would be too painful to fill it too full so she just put enough in to be able to look around.

[Claredale]

I don't mean to push it, but the PST test only takes a couple of seconds. I didn't even know what I was having done until I felt the pain, so there was no time for me to even prep for it. That was many years ago. I think the urologist I was going to was just "testing" me since he really didn't know alot about IC. Most people these days know that they are going to have the test. When I first saw my current uro/gyno, he wanted to do the test again since they didn't have my records from my prior dr., Dr. Ragi, yet. I went ahead and agreed, I have no idea why. That was a year and a half ago and it again wasn't very bad. I know it's not a definitive test, but everyone I know that has had it and then had the cysto under anesthesia, all said that their PST test and their cysto showed the same results. They had IC and the cysto showed the severity.

[glassd18]

I asked for it but she refused to do it. I can ask her again.

Back to my question though: Is urethral burning a symptom of IC?

[dverba]

I agree, it is hard to know where to go from here if you are not sure where you stand. Lots of things out there have the same symptoms. The first thing I would try is the ic diet. I am one of those who know within 5 min. that it is not ic ok. For the burning the only thing that sorta helps is a heating pad between my legs and directly where the burning is. Even the pyridium does not stop my burning. I have to say that I did better pain wise with the cysto in the hospital than I did with the potasium test at the dr's office.(strange) the pain from the potasium put me in spasims for hours. The installs have no effect on me at all, they just agrivate my bladder. I do think you need to know for sure what is going on with your bladder so you can make good for you choices.

[HistoryKat]

I had the PST and while it hurt during the test it did calm down and I was okay. Especially since that answered the question of what was wrong with me. Just getting a diagnosis made the pain worth it because then I could start getting help.

Good luck

[icbop]

I have urethral burning--it was my first symptom and is still my primary symptom. I developed suprapubic pain after the cysto-hydro and wish I had not done it. It did indicate glomerulations though, so I know that the urethral burning was/is related to the bladder. I also have other inflammation (VV) so I know the damage the inflammation does.

Best of luck to you.

[Briza]

I have not had the PST but now knowing what I didn't know then sure wish I had been offered a diagnosis that way by my uro. Not only was the cysto/hydro very painful, the pain afterwards was severe and lasted for a long times afterwards, much much longer than the temporary pain caused by the PST, from what I've heard about the PST here... and it was very expensive, even with my insurance.
The symptoms of my IC, Vulovdynia, and VV are all connected...the first year or so was the absolute worst, the VV was causing 24/7 inflammation and I do remember at that time having some urethral pain/burning/spasms...but once I got the VV under control I haven't had urethral burning since. But I've read here on the board many times about others having urethral burning...whether it was IC or VV related, I don't know.
Glassd...best of luck...I hope you get some answers and relief soon from the antibiotics. I wonder if some type of anti-inflammatory med would help? You could ask your dr. Best wishes :)

[LiquidFlame]

My understanding is that urethral burning is considered one of the symptoms of IC when urgency and frequency are also present. If the only pain you have is in your urethra, I think you may be in a bit of a gray area as far as IC goes - some doctors will diagnose IC and others will not.

IC is a symptom based diagnosis – there is no definitive test for it. If you are very concerned about going under general anesthesia, you should determine if you want to go through a hydro/cysto in the hospital. I too was nervous about going under. Because I was apprehensive, I thought long and hard about asking for the procedure. The test was further warranted because I have high levels of microscopic blood in my urine. I thought there may have been a remote chance of cancer and I thought the test would have revealed a damaged and shrunken bladder. The procedure did not show ulcers nor pinpoint bleeding. My bladder capacity under anesthesia is good – 900 cc. I still think I have IC and my diagnosis has not changed as far as I know. The test told me the physical condition of my bladder, not whether or not I have IC. With this knowledge, I feel I can better understand the course of my treatment. I personally see no point in the PST because the results will not change my mind as to whether or not I have IC.

I think you are fortunate to have a doctor who is very concerned about your pain. If you are still unclear as to whether or not you have IC based on your symptoms it would be best to have a discussion with your doctor.

[Claredale]

Briza, you heard the PST test was expensive or did you mean the hydro/cysto? My insurance company wasn't even charged for my PST test, it was just part of my doctors appt.

Tracey

[glassd18]

I'm baaaaackkkkkk!!! (Poltergeist)!!!lololol

Okay I'm flipping around the internet today, and typed in urethral burning because I'm still going crazy trying to figure this out. In my mind urethral burning is coming from something right? Anyhow I found this post on this website, and freaked out when I see that the last poster has the exact same situation as me (urethral polyps/inflammation where urethra and bladder join), but unfortunately her dr's told her there was nothing they could do. (lame)!!! Mine said it's treated with low dose long term anti's. Anyhow I'm posting it here:

http://www.steadyhealth.com/Urethral_Pain_With_No_Infection_lp532476.html

I'm bound and determined to get to the bottom of this, and now I'm starting to get a little annoyed at my uro for not doing more testing other than the cysto. I think I should have a urethral swab to see what grows so that they can see if there is ureaplasma (sp?). I had a swab at the gyno's, but that was for chlamydia, and it was negative. Anyhow, I want a new urethra for Christmas!!!!!!

I called my gyno yesterday, and asked if I could have some estrogen cream for down there, but they said I should come in. Grrrrrrrrr!!!!! Oh well that's it for today. Once again, thanks for listening.

[glassd18]

One more thing. The elavil does help, but what bothers me is am I just masking the real problem? Unless of course it's a nervce problem anyway.

[bunnykinb]

For the suprapubic pain, do you mean the clitoris and vulva area?