Newly diagnosed today

[cami61386]

Hi,

I was just diagnosed today. I have multiple other health issues so for me this is not something I need.

About 2 weeks ago after and very active weekend between my husband and myself ;-) I began feeling like I had a very bad urinary tract infection. I went to the doc and she took a urine test and gave me antibiotics. I felt horrible and then they called to tell me that I showed no bacteria in my urine. I couldn't believe it because it hurt so bad and I had so much pain in my uretha. Anyways,...after another week I still had pain and burning even after finishing the antibiotics. I did find out that I also had a yeast infection so Im treating that as well.

After talking to a friend who has IC she mentioned to try alka seltzer...it really has cut down on the pain for me but I'm not sure why or how it works. The pain is still there though and mainly a general feeling of discomfort down there and a lot of burning when urinating. I have been urinating very frequently for a couple of years now but I never really had much pain until now....I just figured that I had a very small bladder. I also get kidney stones every few years so drink a lot of water with lemon to try to prevent them...I recently decided that I should cut out the lemon since it might be making things worse.

To make things worse I have been under a tremendous amount of stress lately with multiple issues and I have anxiety issues related to my other health issues and some life stressors at the moment. I wonder if the stress that I am having is contributing to this happening now. It does seem to be that multiple things that could be causing it.

My doc prescribed amitryptilineto take before bed? Im not sure I'm crazy about this idea,...I already have weight issues and it says it can cause food cravings and weight gain....lol,...just what I need!

Anyways,...Im so grateful there is a place like this and if anyone has any helpful suggestions PLEASE feel free. I'm a little worried from reading about IC that its only going to get much worse and I'm in for a world of hurt in my future.

Thanks!
Cami

[rainbowlady]

I found out I had ic in oct. Changing my diet was a big one. I was eating and drinking all the wrong thing. I have many health problems as well. You will find the people here are wonderful and very helpful. Welcome and hope to talk to you again. I've just started treatment so we will keep finding new things out as we go day by day.

[Goldfinch]

Welcome, and I'm so sorry for your bladder symptoms. It sounds like your pain is similar to a UTI. You might get some quick relief from over-the-counter pyridium, which has an anti-spasmodic and an anaesthetic. It sells under various brand-names like AZO. It isn't meant for long-term use, but it does help quickly with UTI symptoms and many people on these boards use it for temporary relief.

Get in touch with your doctor and see if you could take Urelle or Prosed. My uro gave me a scrip for Urelle before anyone mentioned IC and before I came up with it myself. These meds work for many ICers for those same symptoms of bladder spasm, burning pain, frequency, urgency, etc. They work relatively quickly--within 24 hours--have few side effects, and are well tolerated.

If you haven't already done so, check out the IC diet on this site. I did not find that going on a strict diet helped immediately, but it helped very much within a few weeks for me. The first two weeks I was so freaked out I ate nothing but chicken broth, rice, carrots and toast. But it really did help, at least for me; it gave my bladder a chance to calm down. I eat a lot more variety than that now.

If you started having bladder symptoms only two weeks ago you are awfully far ahead of the curve if you already have a diagnosis. IC is usually diagnosed by a lengthy process of exclusion, so it is in fact possible that you don't have it. Have you had any tests to eliminate other possibilities?

These boards are full of really caring supportive people. I'm sure a lot of them will be adding their voices here soon.

[lmq78]

I was diagnosed quickly with IC. Talked to the doctor and he said well you have IC. What else can cause these horrible symptoms? I have had no relief since April and I am on Elmiron, Atarax, and Elavil.

[cami61386]

Thanks very much for the info! I really appreciate it!

[HeatherSchwarz]

Cami,

I am so sorry to here that you were diagnosed today with IC. My heart goes out to you. Please if ever have any questions, or need to talk please just let me know. Feel free to e-mail me : IC_HeatherSchwarz@Yahoo.com. I was diagnosed with IC September 11, 2007. I remember when I was diagnosed I felt like my world was turned upside down. I promise you it does get better & easier to manage your flare ups. I am Group Leader for my own support group in Cleveland, OH "IC We Can Help Each Other". So please feel free to let me know if you need anything.

Thanks,
Heather

[ICNDonna]

:welcome: to the IC Network. I'm very glad you found us. I know you'll find a lot of helpful information on this site. You'll want to read the information in the Patient Handbook --- the link is in my signature below. I suggest you put yourself on an IC diet immediately. Some ICers find that single step helps more than any other.

My IC was diagnosed in 1975 and I have learned a lot about interstitial cystitis in the past 33 (almost 34) years. The one thing I think is most important is that most people with IC do find effective treatments and most of us feel good most of the time. It may take a while to find what works best for you --- and it's important to remember that for every individual posting here because they are in pain, there are literally hundreds out there who have IC but are not posting because they feel good and are busy getting on with their lives.

You will find a few of us who are die hards and hang around even though we're doing well; I do because I remember how very alone I felt with IC before the IC Network. This is a good place to find not only answers to your questions, but to receive encouragement from others.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[leelee88]

Hello and :welcome: To the ICN!

[vm]

:welcome: So glad you found us. :)

[vm]

You were - it's the correct thread. The rest of us just joined in after you to welcome her. :)

[vm]

Hmmmm. Heather's post disappeared. I really wasn't talking to myself - another post was between my last two, folks! ;)

[leelee88]

Kim, I hate when that happens, I have responded to post and then go back to see I have answered to no one.. Cause "POOF" Their post would be gone.. Guess it is the magic of the delete button..lol

[HeatherSchwarz]

Okay got it.... I guess it is really a terrible thing to delete a post ?? Sorry I am new at this and felt uncomfortable leaving that post. Didn't realize so many people would get upset about. I thought since the delete button was there it was an option ... So never touch the delete button got it :shake:

Thanks,
Heather

Sorry for causing problems with my posts....

[leelee88]

No No Heather you CAN delete your own post!!! Please do not think that is what we were saying.. IF you feel uncomfortable with ANY post that you have posted that is what the deletion button is for..Sorry you misunderstood us..I was just joking with Vm...

[elamar]

You doctor should be able to give you free samples of these two meds to try. I use utira-c which is the generic for urelle. There is no generic for prosed so that can be expensive. These are anti-spasmodics that also sanitize your urine, which can be helpful if you feel like you have a uti. The utira-c really helps reduce the burning for me. I also drink a club soda everyday. I thinks the baking soda in it helps again reduce the burning. Just for a heads up, these two meds turn your urine blue, so you'll know it's in your system when you are using it. It is safe for long term use - I have been on utira-c for over a year now. You can take it up to 4 times a day. I can usually just use one per day, and sometimes skip a day. I also had good luck with the generic of ditropan xl. I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

[vm]

There's absolutely no problem with deleting posts - that's why we have the option. :) I only posted to explain why it looked like I was talking to myself. :lmao: Please don't be offended - I surely wasn't mad or upset!

[HeatherSchwarz]

:smile tee

Thanks Leelee88 & VM. Have a nice weekend ...

Thanks,
Heather

[vm]

You, too! And welcome to the boards - it's usually very easygoing posting. I think you'll meet a lot of very kind people here. I've been so helped by these boards over the years. Such a wonderful source of information and it's helped me never feel alone when I've had bladder issues.

I hope you enjoy it here. :)

[HeatherSchwarz]

Thanks & I look forward to chatting with everyeone too !!

Thanks,
Heather :flower: