Does this sound like IC?

[world_falls]

Hi everybody! http://www.worldfalls.com/stuff1/1%20(280).gif

I'm new here, but wanted to ask a question. My urologist says I have Interstitial Cystitis. He diagnosed the condition about a year ago, though I had symptoms for years before I got brave enough to see a doctor. He told me at the time that when it got bad enough, I could go in for a procedure where he stretches the bladder and puts medicine in there once a week for eight weeks. Well, that sounded crazy to me! :loco: I left the office quite sure I would never come to that, but here I am, ready to do it next month.

The thing is, I'm scared that I've been misdiagnosed. I don't want to go through some crazy, nutty, painful procedure if I don't have to! What I get is pain. But it is only at a certain time. Every 28 days, I could set a clock by it! I have no uterus, but I'm sure this has to do with my monthly cycle. The pain comes and it lasts for about 10-14 days. It used to only be 2-3 days. My bladder hurts and all the surrounding areas hurt, especially an area off to the left. The pain when I go p is unreal. It has made me cry it is so bad, and it takes a lot to make me cry, believe me. I have many autoimmune disease (lupus, RA, SS, and fibromyalgia and possibly AH). I also p more at night, but ONLY when the pain flairs up. I always feel so tired during a flairup because I get no sleep. I get up to p at least five times a night when it gets bad, and as many as seven or eight.

So does this sound like IC to y'all? It seems odd to me that it only flairs up around the time I would get my period of I still had a uterus. So I'd love your opinions before I get this procedure done. Thanks a lot!

By the way, my name is Elayna. Nice to meet y'all! :)

[ICNDonna]

It does sound like IC is a possibility. If you still have ovaries, you will have the hormone fluctuations with a cycle --- and many ICers do find hormone variations effect symptoms. Stretching the bladder under anesthesia could help your symptoms; it's your decision to make whether or not you have the hydrodistention.

Are you following an IC diet? If not, I suggest you begin immediately.

Donna

[kuntrygurl78]

There are many people on this board that are on continuous birth control just so that they dont go thru what you are going thru. I think griffsmommy (Christine) is one of them. You might PM her. She is very helpful and sweet!

[Dreamlove15]

I have IC, was just diagnosed this past month. I know that every IC person is different in there symptoms. Although there are a list of characteristics that we fall under, its individualistic. I dont have much frequency or urgency as I have pain. My pain gets so severe in my bladder and pelvic region i wanna cry. I have had a hydro/cysto last month, that is how I was diagnosed. It did not help me at all, I actuallt got worse because I developed a really bad UTI as a result. ended up in the hospital. But that is just my experience. Eeveryone is different and reacts to procedures differently. You could have IC or you may not. I think the hydro could be a good thing because it can see if you have some signs of IC, like the glucerumations or petichia etc. It sounds alot like your period is affecting this, the 28 days thing. But I am no doctor, but have you been to a GY or UROGYN? These doctors may be abke to help you rule out endo or cysts etc. Anyways I hope you find answers either way. If you have any questions regarding the hydro PM ok? Take care.:angel:

[boukie]

Yes it sounds like IC. I was just diagonosed in July this yr. But in Jan. I had sharp pain above my pelvic area on the left side when I would pms and during my period. Then the paid would go away until my next cycle. These are signs of IC and they say IC comes gradually. I remember at times I would feel a slight pain then it would go way and maybe I wouldn't have it again for 3 months. Does Lortab work well for pain? I take Vesicare 10 mg a day and Ditropan 15mg a day for spasms. Vicodine doesnt work for me.
I am getting over a flare up and I always start to cry too once I feel the horrible sharp pain that keeps me awake at night. I always feel at like around 2am it wakes me up. I hope you feel better!