Could it be an unknown bacteria?

[Brenda01]

Does anyone still believe that this is caused by a unknown bacteria? Or a mycoplasma or enterococcus? I have read conflicting reports and don't know whether to try the long term antibiotic approach which some people have said works (w/Ms. Ruth Krinz) or even Dr.Toth in N.Y.
Or has science kind of gotten past that and believe in other theories now? I would really like to hear input from others who have had this, or tried this or have been around long enough to see if it was only a fad or true?
Thanks for your input.

[karen10]

Brenda -- I would suggest looking for posts from Martha. She has lots of knowledge about this. She's also willing to talk to you by phone. Just do a search for Martha and bacteria. I'm still wondering myself as mine came after 4 years of chronic bladder infections. However, I'm now leaning more towards the fact that since my bladder wall was already breaking down (for a reason we still don't know) it was more prone to infections. We do know that the mucous lining protects the wall from bacteria adhering to it, so when it breaks down, of course we will get more bacteria and thus infections.

But please post what new things you might learn about this! I think it's so important that we leave no stone unturned! :)

[Brenda01]

Karen,
Thanks for the reply. Did you mean do a search on the IC Network or on the open web? In the back of my mind I hope its not an infection, that way the treatments we are trying should significantly help us all. (Instills, diet, medicines, natural tonics etc.) How are you feeling now? I was recently diagnosed and am still very uncomfortable with every step. I am hoping and praying that I am on the mend. I have started the DMSO installs and they hurt after the first day but feel better the 2nd day.
B.

[karen10]

ooohhh, read up on the DMSO instills. Not the most current treatment and I remember reading something which said they might even cause more bladder damage. Heparin instills have had better success rates and recommended by the top IC docs these days. Here's a link (found on this site) about those:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView

I did mean search on this site for info on bacteria.

I'm doing very well. Strict adherence to the diet, plus trying to have an even more alkaline diet and eliminating sugar helped me more, plus taking Desert Harvest aloe and CystoProtek (which has glucosamine in it) has left me almost symptom free. The aloe worked very quickly, within a week.

Happy researching! :)