It's officially NOT a UTI

[Charisse]

I am so upset right now. The good ole IC is coming back. This is the exact time of year it started last time and so I know there is an allergy connection although Atarax has never seemed to help me. I have a dr's appt on Thursday and will have to discuss increasing my Elmiron since I'm only on 200 mg per day right now. I am really really scared ladies. I am also frustrated that I took antibiotics all weekend for nothing. The nurse said there were bacteria and white blood cells in my urine but nothing cultured. This has happened to me 800 times before :( I feel like crying right now! Last year I didn't get relief until September and I thought it was from the Elmiron but maybe it had nothing to do with Elmiron? Maybe it was just the end of allergy season?

[leelee88]

I am sorry to hear this. I would ask about the Atarax though. I have been having increased symptoms lately and have been wondering if it is due to all the pollen and allergy things that come with it. I am only on 25mg of Atarax and am going to ask if she can increase the dosage. Please keep me informed..(((hugs)))

[mlzippy7]

Charisse I am really sorry to hear this. I understand about taking all the antibiotics for nothing. I really hope your doctor can help you out on Thursday. Good Luck!!

[Claredale]

I hope you will find a simple answer for this.

Tracey

[Charisse]

Thanks ladies. I really don't have a lot of hope for Atarax. I tried it last year although I've been told it can take months before it works. However I was never able to get up to a very high dose because it was interfering with my sleep quality. I just don't think it's going to work for me. My Uro-GYN is now retired due to a brain tumor so I'm going to work with my OB although he doesn't know as much about IC. I am so scared.

[leelee88]

Have you considered going to an allergist Dr? Or are you having allergy symptoms? Just wondering. Trying to help you figure something out.. I know this all can be so confussing and stressful!

[Charisse]

Yes I saw an allergist last year but he knows nothing about bladders and I doubt he would think there was a connection. That is the problem is I see 4 or 5 different drs for all different things and none of them talk to each other. I had the scratch tests and he didn't think my allergies were severe enough to warrant shots although I am wondering if they would help my IC? My symptoms have not been the typical itching, sneezing, stuffy nose (although I do have that). My worst allergy symptom is dizziness and the IC.

[JanL]

I believe that allergies play an important role in my IC. I went to an allergist, but he said that the tests did not show allergies. My mother just laughed because she says she has watched me for 45 years and I always got a sore throat by the middle of Feb. (stuff starts blooming around here then). Now I always flare around then and hurt until the first really good frost. I usually feel really good from then until the middle of Feb. The green pollen is starting to cover things around here and I am really feeling yucky. I use Nasonex at night and have been taking Claritan during the day, but it is not seeming to help. Let us know if you find the solution.


Janice

[Claredale]

Yes, my hubby washed his car over the weekend and it is already covered with the green pollen. Next we will have to stock up on allergy meds.

Tracey

[mom_in_ma]

Sorry you're flaring when you're pregnant. That bites big time. I know because I've been there. Technically, I think pyridium is now class b and you might be able to imbibe ever now and then.

I had a pretty good month for April, but this week I got double whammied. I swore I had an infection, and am on cipro, but nothing cultured. Then I realized that I flared the same way last may. That my first flare with this years ago was in...you guessed it...May. And that the next year I also flared in...May. I would call that a pattern. My allergies are going crazy right now. I take allegra and it worked the first year, but not this last year. My doc is switching me to singular and Nasonex. Maybe if we can the allergies to have less of an impact on my body....then things will calm down. I also found last year that tagamet (and h2 blocker) got me out of an allergy flare. I'm using it this time around too.

I'm also in perimenopause and got whalloped with mid-cycle bleeding today. Doc and I decided that it's time to get my hormones under control and maybe just get rid of that darn ol' period. So, we're going to experiment with continuous birth control.

This is my life...one big experiment.

[Charisse]

Oh my gosh that is exactly like me. All my flares start out the same and they've all been in the spring. I'm on Singulair. I started it late last year so I think this year having it already in my body was a big help. I also do more to control dust in my house and I simply don't walk outdoors as tempting as it is. I bought a treadmill that I have inside . . I just can't be out in the wind this time of year. I am on two Claritin a day as well and when not pregnant I was also taking Benadry. At least you can see a connection . . I think that is helpful for us. I used to think hormones were involved but now I'm not so sure. My hormones have majorly changed since being pregnant and so far it's not had much affect on my IC. I think my flare had more to do with spring.

[mom_in_ma]

I know allergies are involved. But, I'm pretty sure hormones are as well. I was in remission for many years and came out of remission three months after a miscarraige when my hormones were all mixed up. Then the perimenopause hit and I haven't been able to get back into remission...YET. There is hope.

[Charisse]

I was in remission for 7 years and then 1 year after my miscarriage I flared again too. So that is an interesting point . . .This time I am planning on going back on the pill fairly soon after having the baby to prevent that huge dip in hormones that seems to make me so sick with the fibro (and maybe the bladder pain too??)

[TexasHoney]

:grouphug:I am sorry you are flaring. Hang in there and good luck with your pregnancy.