Help!

[MaryMcE]

Hi everyone.

I am in distress. When I read the symptoms for IC, I think that maybe I have had a mild case for years. I could not tolerate high acid fruits, I am incredibly sensitive to products such as pads, toilet paper etc. Very sensitive to smells. I didn't think much about this though - thought I was just a sensitive person. But things have changed dramatically.....

In June I was under a period of high stress. I was taking the birth control pill continuously for heavy periods but started to have some spoting so I took a break (ie: estrogen drop). Went back on the pill after 5 days then within a few days of that I got a UTI. The dr. did a culture and there was blood etc. so put me on antibiotics and the stuff that turns your pee orange. The burning during urination went away, but the urge to pee was continuous. I went to a walk-in clinic and the dr. there gave me another very strong antibiotic. No results. Went back to my own dr. and she did a pelvic exam and said my uterus was enlarged and most likely pressing on my bladder. I went off the pill completely as I thought it might be causing the enlarged uterus. Within a week I had an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed NOTHING WRONG - no pressing on the bladder etc. Teeny fibroid.

The dr. now says that it is something that a urologist needs to see, so I have an appt. on Sept. 9. I am still not convinced it is IC - I feel like my uterus is weighing heavy on my bladder. I feel bloated and pressure - like I have a bowling ball in my uterus that is forcing down. The urge to pee is worse when my bowels are full or if I have gas.

I have been on Detrol LA for 2 weeks. It seemed to really work for the first week, but now these last few days have been just awful. I have been taking meds to sleep throughout this ordeal. I have been taking clonazapam, but the dr. also put me on something else that is a sleep/pain/antidepressant thing. I have only used that the last 2 nights, and last night I took one of them and still had to take the clonazapam.

I'm not sure how long I can go on with this without going absolutely crazy. I think it is my uterus dropping, but maybe because that is more easily fixed than IC, but the ultrasound does not confirm this. During a second pelvic exam the dr. said my uterus was not enlarged anymore. And yes, my doctor did mention that it could be all in my head. Thanks for that - urg.

My husband has been very supportive, but his patience is even wearing thin. I am not myself, I have lost a lot of weight (I am thin to begin with). I also am having hormone swings from being off the pill for 5 weeks and at 47 I am in full perimenopause. I feel like I want to be sedated for life - at least from the waist down. I have cancelled 2 trips this summer due to this condition - and don't even want to leave the house anymore. I have never had an accident throughout this - there is no stress incontinence. Just the feeling like I really, really have to pee very, very badly - even one second after I do go. There is also pressure rising up from my crotch about half way to my belly in a straight line.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? I need some help! I pray about his throughout the day, but my prayers have not been answered.

Do you think I have IC? or does it sound like my uterus? I see my dr. again tomorrow, so if anyone has any suggestions as to what I can tell her that would be great too.

My best to you all, and I am so sorry we have to meet here, but I am sure glad you are here for me!

Mary

[VickiB]

Hi Mary

:welcome: to the ICN!

This place you're at right now, with the cause of your symptoms unknown, is the worst! Especially when you get that "all in your head" line! UGH!

It does sound like it 'could' be IC, so it's good you're seeing a Urologist on the 9th. Hopefully they will be able to figure out what's going on. If all that comes of that visit is a statement that you're fine, try another doctor. Then another if you must. We know what being fine is, and having an intense urge to pee all the time is not! Something is going on.

Since you'd said you'd noticed a connection with fruits, you may want to check out the IC Diet if you haven't already. http://www.ic-network.com/diet/ I like the diet 'cheat sheet' link on this page.

If it is IC you're dealing with, the diet may help ease your symptoms.

Hang in there and I hope you find some answers & relief soon!

Vicki

[elamar]

Maybe some sort of antispasmodics can help with your symptoms. Prosed and urelle come to mind. I take utira-c which is the generic of urelle. I don't take it every day, just when that "gotta go" feeling creeps up on me. Another med that worked good for me to get rid of that constant urge to urinate was ditropan xl. I had to take high doses at first (like 4 pills throughout the day) and slowly wean back down to the normal dosage of one a day. I don't even use it anymore. There shouldn't be any reason your doctor couldn't call one of those meds in for you to try while waiting for your next appt. I actually used both ditropan and utira-c at the same time. I also used the generic version of the ditropan. I do have to warn you the ditropan will give you a very dry mouth at the higher doses and can cause constipation due to it's muscle relaxing effects inside. You may want to use miralax while on it to keep things running smoothly! I hope this helps. I know how miserable the feeling is when you feel like you need to go all the time. Good luck to you.

[MaryMcE]

Thank you both for replying. I need to ask everyone about one specific thing, which I think will help me understand if it is IC or a uterine problem.

For me, the urge to pee is constant but varies in degree. The biggest factor is how full my bowel is, and how much gas I have. That changes the intensity of the pressure.

Can anyone speak to this symptom, one way or another?

Mary

By the way, thank you so much for being here for me. It DOES help to know I am not alone and I can survive this. I am one that wants to actively live my life (usually) and lately, I just want to curl up in a little ball and be doped up by whatever.........not a great quality of life!

[elamar]

I don't know how to answer about the bowel problem. The only problem I sometimes get is constipation from the meds. I usually use something like miralax and basically healthy diet to keep things moving. Ditropan is notorious for causing constipation, also valium. Any type of anti-spasmodics or muscle relaxants usually cause constipation which can aggravate the IC symptoms. All I can say is use something to keep the constipation at bay. Again, that is different for everyone, lots on these boards recommend one spoonful of Milk of Magnesia (MOM) every night. Other eat a couple of prunes. Some can use metamucil. Alot just depends on what your body tolerates. I do find staying regular does help with the pain. Good luck to you.