Any information would be GREAT

[KimmieSFA]

My name is Kimberly and I'm a 20y/o psych major at Stephen F. Austin state university. Well this whole ordeal started like a month and a half ago. I went to the restroom one Monday night and it burned like crazy. I get UTI'S all the time so I thought it was no big deal, that I'd go to the campus health clinic and get my Ciprol and Pyridium and be ok in like 2 days. Well it started getting worse that night, so bad that I had to go to the ER. They told me it was an UTI and they gave me meds and said call back in 2-3 days if it was not ok. Well 3 days later I was in alot of pain still. So I went back to the ER and the prescribed MORE antibiotics to be taken with the current ones I was on. Well that didnt help either, so I went to a Urologist. He checked with the hoospital and found that I NEVER had a UTI to begin with. So they tested for kidney stones, and that was negative too. I went home for Spring Break to see my gyno to try and see what she thougt, and she said my pelvis looked a lilttle inflamemd and maybe that was it, so I took MORE antibiotics and felt a LITTLE better, so I decided not to go to the Urologist at home. Well 2 days before returning back to school, I felt bad again...with the painful urination and back problems. So here I am. There is ONE urologist in this town and he made me feel crazy like I was making things up, so I do not want to see him again. I hopefully get to go to the Dr Monday the 11. This pain is HORRIBLE. It's sooo uncomfy. I pee all the time, and if I evern attempt to hold it, it gets very painful. I am very aware of my bladder at all times and it hurts even worse after I pee. My lower back KILLS me, my lower abdomen KILLS me, it KILLS me when I pee and even my sides hurt. There is NO comfy way to sit. I cried myself to sleep last night. The only thing that helps is Vicodin. I'm trying to be positive and happy, but it's so sad when I can't go and join my friends and have a good time because I hurt and am always worried about a bathroom. I'm starting to feel a bit depressed. Anyway, enough of your time.....if anyone has any info or words of encouragement or ANYTHING...please let me know.
Kimberly

[Sarojini]

:grouphug: :grouphug:

I'm sorry to hear you've been in so much pain recently!! You've come to the right place ... you'll find a lot of support here, and tons of good info to help you make informed choices. Have any of your doctors mentioned IC as a possibility yet?

I can sympathize with you ... I've been in an IC flare for the past two days and it's been very annoying and painful! Yesterday was worse than today, but I'm still ready to rip my bladder out!! :mad:

Also, I remember before I was diagnosed it was the worst... I was in pain, but didn't know what was wrong, and it was stressful!

I hope you get some answers soon!

Jen :)

[KimmieSFA]

Thank you Jen!

It is very frustrating not knowing whats wrong and being in so much pain. No Dr has said anything to me about IC. Is there a cure? Is there EVER relief from pain?

*SIGH*

[Dixiefireball]

i responded to your other post please check it out. sending you hugs and prayers.
Rhonda:pray: :kiss:

[ICNDonna]

There is currently not a cure for IC, but there are many treatments available to help deal with IC.

I do have a suggestion and that is to try putting yourself on an IC diet to see if that helps. You'll find diet information at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/ You may find that just avoiding such things as cranberry juice, soda pop, and coffee might help you feel better.

If you don't improve soon, you are going to need to see a urologist for diagnosis and treatment.

It does sound like IC is a possibility for you, but it could also be something else.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[kelly McC]

Sending you:grouphug: ,
Hope you can see your doctor soon and get your questions answered! Hope you can get some relief soon .:hi:

[vm]

IF you do end up having IC, please know that many people with this diagnosis DO go on to find treatments that help them live happily and mostly normally. It is often hard to remember that b/c so many of the posts you will read are from people crying out for help b/c they are not feeling well. There are many more people out there who are doing well - but we don't often get posts from them.

Please keep that in mind as you read. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you can find out what is going on soon. Don't delay finding the help you need. :kissing:

[KimmieSFA]

Thank you guys so much for the info. I think I'm just so worried and stressed because I do not know WHAT is wrong, but I do know that SOMETHING is wrong. I also feel really really bad for my bf of 2 years. I feel like all I do is complain to him and cry about this and we dont do anything fun anymore. We can't go out cause I dont feel like it and I feel like he deserves a healthy gf, one not holding him back. Ummm as far as the menstrual cycle goes, is it more painful when you're on your period? Because I've skipped mine twice (w/ B.C.) bc I am scared of cramps PLUS this pain.

Have a great day!
:kiss: Kim:kiss:

[Nicole in ATL]

Sorry you are feeling so bad. Watching what you eat or drink can help (avoiding acidy things).

I have a long history of UTIs too. But then I had several clean urinalysis and ened up going to uro and was diagnosed with IC. I still get UTIs on top of the IC, but am working with my uro to prevent them. I have been diagnosed with IC for a little over 2 years. I've had bladder problems for about 12 years.

Even though I have IC, I am still able to do most things. I work a full-time job and am getting married in August. I do have to take alot of meds, but I'd rather do that than be housebound. I am lucky that the meds work for me.

Is there any way you can see a doctor sooner? Hopefully your ballder will settle down soon and the doctors will help you.

Oh, and to answer your question, I do have more IC symptoms during my period. I find using the smallest tampon available helps and I make sure to watch my diet and drink water.

Take care,
Nicole

[Sarojini]

Hi Kim... everyone's IC responds to the arrival of their menstrual period differently. I tend to have increased IC symptoms for a few days before my period starts, and then I feel okay again about a day into my period. However, some people posting here say that they get worse DURING their periods rather than just before.

I think it is highly individual... so, I think that if it helps you to stay on continuous active BC pills to miss your period, you should definitely do that! Make sure you discuss this with your doctor, of course, as he/she may have other ideas or suggestions for you ... but in general studies show that it is not harmful for you to skip your period using the Pill -- in fact, a new BC pill based on this idea called Seasonale has come onto the market! A pack of Seasonale consists of 90 active pills. What this means is that you get your period every 3 months on Seasonale -- just 4 times a year. :)

Good luck!!!

Jen

[PikkuMyy]

Hi Kim,

I'm worse during my period too. A lot more frequency and some urgency. It usually is bad the day or so before until a few days into it. Then it goes back to "normal". hehehe.

Emily

p.s. I feel bad for my husband, too, but when you are with someone, you must accept that things may happen that test your relationship, like getting sick. Make sure to be honest with him about how you feel physically as well as emotionally, but if he loves you, he should be able to do with it.

[KimmieSFA]

Is it normal for symptoms to worsen at night? During the day, I'm in pain still, but every night I cry cry cry and can't sleep w/o Tylenol PM. Any suggestions for pain? Because MOTRIN just aint cutting it. And I'm EXTRA sad because today I was supposed to go to San Antonio to present reserach that I have been working for ALL year long!!!!! This was my time to shine and rub elbows with future colleagues in the Psych field. But a 6 hour long bus ride? Heck no! Standing all day at conferences?? HECK NO! And I'm getting tired of all my friends getting dressed up to go dancing and leaving me behind:( I want to go HOME. HOME HOME HOME!!! And exams are coming up, I'm already so stressed out...and when I stress it makes me more likely to get my migraines which can last for weeks!!!! I'm sorry guys, just had to get this out before class.

Thanks,
Kim:rolleyes:

[SharonA]

Kim...

I am so sorry that you felt that you could not do your presentation. What a disappointment that must have been.

Yes, when I have symptoms, it is usually worse at night. It has always been that way for me.

As Kim (vm) told you, there are many people who, over time, find treatments that can return them to a somewhat normal life. I happen to be one of those. I even have days that I am able to forget that I have IC. I hope the same for you in the very near future. I want you to be able to go :dance: again and enjoy a full life. :thumbsup: :kissing:

[Gilly]

Hi there,
I really hope that things start to look up for you. I am only 22 and I understand the feeling of everyone getting dressed up and leaving you behind. It is hard to deal with but I have found that SO many of my friends are really supportive and they are the ones that suggest a relaxing movie night so that I can be a part of things. I also have a friend with IC who was diagnosed a year ago and is doing really well on elmiron...she hardly even notices IC anymore. I am new here and haven't started meds yet so I am just praying for the same results. Just keep faith that things will get better....I'm confident that they will improve for you.
Gilly

[KimmieSFA]

Thanks for the encouraging words Gilly. Everyone here is sooooo supportive. I do feel better today, i am home for easter and I have a uro appt tommorrow so WISH ME LUCK!!! Any advie anyone?!!?


Kim:pray: