19 yrs old sophomore in college

[nmacleod]

I've been struggling with symptoms for about 5 months. I was diagnosed with a UTI, there was bacteria in my urine, i was treated; the bacteria went away but my symptoms stayed. I was so stressed and so uncomfortable that i ended up dropping two classes.
I kept traveling home to visit a doctor, i've had all kinds of tests that lead nowhere so i was referred to a urologist. After waiting a month and a half to see the Uro, he tells me to drink more and that I should be treated for anxiety. I could have killed him.

Sooo, i was referred to another Urologist, a female who apprently has some knowledge of OAB and IC. She claims that I have OAB and has given me Detrol LA for a trial period. Though I appreciate her response more than my previous urologist's I wanted to scream at her that OAB doesn't include the constant pain and burning and pressure I feel morning noon and night.

Now Spring semester is starting and I'm a mess. I don't know that I'll be able to travel home for appt.s without missing a lot of class time and I'm afraid that if i leave school now I may never go back. I go to RISD, an art school, so my classes at 5 hours long and thats a long time to be sitting or standing still. I wish I could talk to my teachers or department head but without a diagnosis what can i really say?

I am just so upset, I am just now starting school work that i'm really excited about, i wanted to do a summer internship, and now it seems that i can do little more than cry and lay around.

[SandyRN]

Awww, I'm SO sorry that you are dealing with this and at that it started at such a young age. I have a son who is a junior in college and can't imagine him having to deal with this AND go to school full time. Is there a possibility that you could see a doctor near your school so that you don't have to travel home all the time to be seen?

I'm sorry that you've been dismissed with your new doctor with OAB. You're right, there is not pain, burning and that crazy pressure with OAB. I think, personally, that you should look for yet another doctor. Maybe give this one one more try and if she doesn't agree to at least look into the possibility of IC it may be time to move on.

I'm sure you probably know this, but have you tried the OTC pyridium? It can help with the burning pain and urgency. Another trick is to drink as much water as you can as this dilutes the urine and makes it less acidic so there is less burning pain. Also, look into the IC diet. Many people can manage their IC with just the diet so it's worth a try. Check out the patient handbook here on the site because there are lots of tips and tricks that can help you. Read, read, read and ask lots of questions here. The more you know the better.

I hope that you will be able to do that summer internship. Hopefully you will have a doctor by then that is willing to try and get your symptoms under control.

Welcome to the site!

Hugs, Sandy

[VickiB]

I too am so sorry you're going through this so early in life! School is difficult enough without throwing a health issue into the mix! I don't know if this could be a left-over symptom from your UTI. I do know that in my case IC began following UTIs when I was younger than you.

I can relate to the 'drink more and get treated for anxiety' prescription. I had numerous doctors tell me one thing or another, or insinuate I was crazy, even though all along I had text book IC symptoms. They didn't recognize IC. Most of the doctors/urologists I saw were older,...then I happened onto my doogie hauzer doctor who was familiar with IC. (Maybe that TV show is before your tiime?) Anyway, I had to bounce from one doctor to another before I found the one who diagnosed & helped me. Don't be surprised if you have to do this too!

Burning & pain is not normal. I don't know if it is IC you're dealing with, but don't let them blow you off.

I wish I could talk to my teachers or department head but without a diagnosis what can i really say?

I don't know, but perhaps it's worth a try? It seems a shame to lose what momentum you have because of this! I don't know what you plan to do with your art education, but as an artist I have to say that it's an ideal occupation for one with IC! I work twice as hard when I can and can take breaks as needed!

I do hope you find some relief and answers soon!

Vicki

[Freckles]

I'm so sorry. My daughter is in college right now and I know with going to school how having a bum bladder is. I believe I had this disease way back since I was little but it came and went and the doctor would always just call me in antibiotics. Cultures were hardly ever done, so who knows if there was bacteria or not. All I can remember is always having bladder issues.

I agree you need to change doctors and keep changing until you get one that will listen to you. School is important, your health is more important. Even if you have to take some time off school it would probably be wise. Give yourself a chance to find a good doctor, find out what's going on and if you do have IC, get your symptoms under control.

I have severe IC, but I think there are a majority of people that can control their symptoms and live comfortably. I do think stress makes everything worse so try not to diagnose yourself and start thinking drastic thoughts. Stay calm, make a plan, talk to your parents or whoever you have who your closes to and go from there. I hate to tell you but I've had 7 urologists and I think it's pretty common for women to have to shop around before they are listened to. I don't remember in your post if anyone went with you to your appts. If you can take an older person with you. Maybe then the doctor will not push you aside. But.... let me warn you. The medical community is awful. Doctors don't give a damn and if they can dismiss you they will. Stand up for yourself, demand care. Tell him or her that you can't keep this up and you have to be diagnosed!!!! Be assertive. Your health is your most important assett and these asses are supposed to be protecting our health. Be bold!

Take care, let us know how you are doing. I'm hoping that your symptoms are just stress related, but I know your frustration and desparation all too much. Oh, one last thing. Don't be so desparate for help that you let these doctors talk you into anything. Whatever they suggest other than routine diagnostic procedures, research this site. We'll get you educated. Most of the doctors I've seen have been more interested in what they could cut on, implant etc., than anything else because that's where the money is. Keep your head up. I'll be praying for you.
Karen

[mrachel]

I'm sorry your dealing with this in college. I can relate and had similar experiences with dr.s before finally getting a good one that diagnosed me. I had symptoms from the time I was 4 years old and knew I had to avoid orange juice for most of my life but nobody ever told me about IC. When I was in my 20's I started trying to get answers for my pelvic pain from gynocologists but they just prescribed antibiodics for suspected uti's and said I was probably just having monthly cramps. Finally I had a dr. who was concerned about the number of uti's I got so he sent me to a quack of a urologist. He was anything but helpful and didn't even take an accurate history that I discovered when I later read his records on me. A friend told me about a urogynocologist that I saw next and that he became an answer for me in the journey to find a treatment that would work. I wonder if you could look for a urogynocologist closer to school? My dr. said they are trained first in gynocology so they listen to patients more than most urologists and they also deal with female urology issues. The ICN has a list of dr. in your area that you can look through also. I agree with the pp that taking a loved one with you can help tremendously. My dh still goes with me on important visits where we will be given new info or discuss a change in treatment plans. It helps me to have a second set of ears and it helps the dr. to take you more seriously. When my dh went with me to the bad urologists office it helped me not feel like I was over-reacting because he got more upset with the dr. antics than I did. This can help you validate your position. Hang in there and definitely start with the basics of diet that many find are enough to control their symptoms. Keep looking for a dr. that will listen to you and treat you until you find something that will work. It took me 2 years of trying lots of combinations of treatments, pt etc. before we found an answer but many people don't have to wait that long. A good dr. won't give up and will follow your wishes on treatment plans!

[Goldfinch]

Does RISD have a health center? Perhaps you could find a sympathetic ear there and someone who could refer you out to a good local uro or urogyn? Last year, in her sophomore year in college, my daughter needed some help that was far beyond the abilities of the counseling staff at her school. The head of the health center referred her out to a wonderful therapist who has turned out to be a life-saver. You never know what connections exist, and Providence is a big town.

If you have a sympathetic teacher with whom you feel comfortable talking about this stuff, that's another person that could help direct you to a good doctor. I know how hard it must be to deal with medical issues when you are a full time student.

There are meds that can help relieve the frequency/urgency and burning pain. Sandy suggested over-the-counter pyridium. This is sold as Azo or Uristat, and you can get it at any drugstore. Follow the direx on the package. It isn't recommended for long-term use, but may help with symptoms when they are bad. Check out the IC diet and eliminate coffee, alcohol and acidic foods--that can help enormously and it's possible you can manage your discomfort until you find a more understanding doctor. Hang in there--I know it's really tough.