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kcjmom
03-24-2004, 06:26 PM
Well, I want to say I am so glad you all are here. I have been reading for about 2 weeks now and was really hoping I didn't have to come back after my cystoscope, but... as you can see I am still here.

My name is Tina, I am 37, I have 3 daughters and a wonderful husband.

My problems started back in Nov 02. If one of my kids woke me in the night, after I took care of them I would go to the bathroom, once in a while after going as I went back into bad, I'd feel like I had to go again. I never did get up to go, but I had that feeling. Then at one point I was on an antibotic for a sinus infection and STILL got that feeling. I then thought something was wrong, All along I guess I thought maybe I was getting a UTI, but I wasn't going to go to the Dr. unless I had this problem all the time.
I go to my PCP, and they do a urine culture, nothing grows and they don't do anything, and that feeling went away. I mention this to my gyn at my annual in Dec, and he tells me if it keeps happening I should see a urologist my gyn does a culture and nothing. The day after Christmas I get hit with bad bladder pain, try to find a Dr. the week between Christmas and New Years. HA! I finally got in with another Dr. in my PCP's group, she gives me something that starts with a L and does yet another culture, nothing. I am in a lot of pain, and I finally get in to see a uro Jan 3rd 2003.

He runs tests, a IVP, does a cysto in his office with me awake, says he sees nothing wrong, but my urethra is narrow. Now, I had problems as a 1 year old with UTI's and had my urethra dilated then, so when he said he wanted to do it, I was OK with it.

Shortly after this I started having yeast infections which turned into vulvodynia issues.
I was not having any bladder issues after this and turned my attention on the vulvodynia. I read a lot about IC, but never really thought it sounded like me.
I did pee a lot, but I always have a 24 oz water bottle with me, so, if I drink I pee, right?
Fast forward, this Jan 04, I start with more bladder issues. I go back to the uro, and I tell him I am now having problems once in a while going, I have to bear down to get it all out.
I get scared because all this stuff started last year around this time and I'm afraid I'm going to start with more problems.
So he orders an UDE test, while I am waiting for my appt for the results I get a horrible burning feeling in my urethra, I call and speak to him, and his answer was we may have to do the cystoscope and the dilation again.

I got a copy of my UDE results (already had his other records) and ran out of that office never to go back. I never felt right here, it was always filled with old men!!
I called my gyn and got a name of a group of urogyn's. ( never heard about them before!!) I saw this Dr. and after I give him my history he wants to do a cysto with hydro.
I have that done, and after the cysto, he comes in and says he didn't think I have IC, everything looked good. He also said other things but I was still groggy. So I go back today, and again he says he didn't think I had the IC, but it was *just* urgency, and was going to try me on one of the urgency drugs. Oh, he had me do a 3 day pee journal and I was going 14 times a day.
So I say to him, since having the cysto, I have not had to go as often. Uh oh, he looked real seriously at me and said, are you sure? I said yes, it has been real weird, but I really have not had to go as much.

So now he is thinking I may have early stages of IC, because one of the treatments is the hydro? And since I am now feeling better, maybe I do have it.

So now our plan is to hold off on any drugs, I have to do another 3 day journal to really see if I am going less. I see him again in 6 months to see how I am doing. Of course he said if I start to fel bad come in sooner, but that is when he wanted to see me.

WHEW!! I f you are still with me, thanks for reading my novel. I hope to learn alot over the next 6 months. thanks for listening, Tina

ICNDonna
03-24-2004, 06:34 PM
If the hydrodistention helped your symptoms, I agree with your uro that you might have IC. Have you read the information in the Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com./handbook/ You'll find info there about treatments for IC --- and the IC diet, which I suggest you try. Some ICers find that some diet changes makes a huge difference.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

Dixiefireball
03-24-2004, 06:40 PM
i'm so glad you got some relief. i hope if this is the early sign of ic you can be treated with elimron and the diet and most of your systom will go away.
keep us updated on how you are.
huges hugs and prayers sent to you.
Rhonda

vm
03-25-2004, 01:10 AM
Welcome! :hi: Your symptoms sound similar to mine in the beginning. It is very exciting that you are getting help while the symptoms are mild. I hope your doc finds some treatments that can help you feel better! :)

Katrina
03-26-2004, 05:13 AM
WELCOME TO THE ICN FAMILY! I am sorry to say your progression sounds like mine.:( And the strange thing is...I too had a uro where the whole office was full of old men....I told my family doc to find me a new one...that was how I finally got the diagnosis of what was wrong with me for so long.

I hope your uro can help you get better.

Iris
03-26-2004, 01:33 PM
Hi, so interesting in a couple of posts about the uros office being full of old men, mine was the same, I had a feeling that he was more in touch with prostate problems than IC, anyway I switched to another who knows all about IC, I am much happier and know that my doc knows what I am going through. Interesting posts, hugs Iris. :hi: :D