Quick Question on Diagnosis

[Amber48]

From reading a lot of your posts, it seems like the majority of you had rather invasive procedures done to confirm your IC diagnosis. I haven't put a lot of research into a lot of the details of these techniques but I was wondering if I should get further confirmation from my urologist. I went into his office and he was aware of my symptoms and that I had been having them for many months. He basically said well since you are so young (24) it is unlikely that your symptoms are caused by anything other than IC. I think I just was so eager to know what was wrong with me that I took his word and left his office relieved to finally have a diagnosis to explain my symptoms. I should probably do more research into what techniques are out there to diagnose IC, other than just getting a diagnosis based on symptoms but I just wanted to see if you all thought that was necessary? Maybe this is a naive question, so I apologize in advance if that is the case.

Thank you all for your support and understanding, it means a lot!

[KarenAnne]

Amber, I'm a new patient & do not know alot yet, but my drs. did urine cultures, urine cytology, & a cystoscope, & a CT scan of the abdomen & pelvis. Mainly because they were excluding bladder Ca, & other problems w/ the urinary tract that can have the same symptoms as IC. But I'm alot older than you. I'm on my third urology group because the first two were not very helpful. I'm lucky to live in a large city w/ great major hospitals, there's nothing wrong w/ you getting a second opinion if your insurance allows it. Good luck.

[allipal]

I was recently diagnosed. When I finally was placed in the right hands (a specialist who only treats women with IC), he read all the notes from my previous physicians and diagnosed me prior to meeting me! Some conditions are diagnosed based on symptoms- nothing objective. It's fortunate that a cystoscopy with hydrodistension can show problems (ulcers, bleeding, etc) with the bladder walls-- but it's not always necessary.

[bjcov]

Hi! I have been having symptoms now for 9 yrs. I am one of those people that went into remission for over 2 yrs during and after each pregnancy. Now that I am done having kids, here I am again. I have had a Cystoscopy, which was awful and (of course) showed nothing. My doc wants to do a PST. But I am not really excited about possibly hurting my bladder more than it is already. (I know, I'm a chicken) I am only taking one drug 75mg Amitripyline. And I do have more good than bad days. Of course I have never had pain with this. Usually I can tell why the flare is happening. (Intercourse is the usual culprit, my poor husband)

I read on here once about a uro that told someone that she was just going to have to deal with the fact that over the holiday season, she was just gonna have to deal with it. The patient was mad, but it got me thinking. I seem to struggle in the winter months too. Anyone else feel like this?

I was recently diagnosed. When I finally was placed in the right hands (a specialist who only treats women with IC), he read all the notes from my previous physicians and diagnosed me prior to meeting me! Some conditions are diagnosed based on symptoms- nothing objective. It's fortunate that a cystoscopy with hydrodistension can show problems (ulcers, bleeding, etc) with the bladder walls-- but it's not always necessary.