What should I do?

[Kisha]

I have had pelvic pain for the past 5 years. My old OB/GYN told me I probably had endometriosis. She would never answer any of my questions so I began seeing a new doctor about a month ago. She told me she thought I had IC and did a pst. Afterwards she diagnosed me with IC. She put me on Elmiron and scheduled me to come back twice a week for 4 wks to have the rescue solution injected and then once a week for the next 4 wks after that. I recently began the diet and have found that since I cut out caffine I do not have to use the bathroom as much as I used too. I'm a little concerned because I do not have all of the symptoms of IC. I have pelvic pain and the urgency and frequency to use the bathroom . I rarely ever have burning (only when I drink soda) and I never get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I am always tired and can sleep through anything. Should I continue with the injection treatments? Has anyone else completed this and is it beneficial? Also my pain comes and goes and is almost always in my right lower pelvic area.

[SharonA]

First off, I want to say :welcome: to the ICN...:)

IC presents many different symptoms. We do not have to have all the symptoms to have IC. If your PST was positive and the doctor diagnosed you with IC, chances are that is what you have.

You and your doctor are the only ones who can say if a treatment is working and whether you should continue it or not. I would talk with your doctor about it if you are having concerns.

I hope you continue the IC Diet. It helps many of us reduce symptoms.

:):):)

[Kisha]

Thanks. I have talked to my doctor and she says she believes the treatments will be beneficial and that they caught it at a early stage. I told her I would come back and finish the treatments. Its just that since I stopped drinking caffine and started the medicine and the treatments I have almost completely lost the frequency problem. I use to use the bathroom at least once an hour (if not more) and for the past two days I've only been using it about once every 2-3 hours. I think its mostly taking away the caffine, which is a good thing. I just wasn't sure if all the treatments could cause you to not be able to go to the bathroom anymore?

[c2miracle]

:smile tee Hello Kisha! Welcome ! Have you replaced the caffeine with drinking alot of water. That has helped me. You should be glad that the frequency is not as much, that sounds positive. I have been doing the instillations at the doctors for about a year and I can see the difference of where I was and what I'm feeling currently. Glad you spoke with your doctor they need to know how you feel. If it is a good and caring doctor they will want to listen your concerns. Once again welcome. You have found a wonderful and supportive site! :smile tee Think Positive!

[Kisha]

Yes. Water is ALL I drink with an occassional glass of skim milk. I AM happy that the frequency has decreased. Its just it seems like it happened so fast it kind of worried me. I've heard that IC symptoms and other symptoms can be similar. The doctor says I have IC so I'm just going to keep going with the treatments. I really dislike going to the doctor, so I think I'm just trying to find a way out of going. Also I work for a medical malpractice attorney and am very paranoid about doctors. This doctor seems very good though.

[c2miracle]

Good! Lots of water has really helped me! I can understand your feelings about going to the doctors. It's not my favorite place to go, but think of it as a positive place, where you are getting relief from this "thing" called IC. :toilet: How interesting that you work for that kind of lawyer, I'm sure you have lots of stories to tell! Your worries are validated :smile tee

[SandyRN]

:welcome: to the board. I'm wondering if you have just had a flare? IC can present with flares that come and go, sometimes with treatment, sometimes without. It sounds as if your doctor is concerned and caring and seems to have a plan of care she wants you to do. If you don't feel comfortable you can always get a 2nd opinion with another doctor. You always have that choice.

I hope you continue to feel better.

Sandy

[Goldfinch]

It sounds like this doctor is proactive and working hard to address your symptoms...and it's helping! This is good, no? You are following the diet and noticing that helps too. Also good! You are getting immediate relief from instills and you are on Elmiron for long-term medication. Good again. Keep it up and maybe you can stay out of the doctor's office for a while--an excellent goal. Are you one of those people that frets when things are going well? Maybe the other shoe won't drop! I'm with c2miracle: think positive!

(Not to worry. Your doctor is just as paranoid about attorneys as you are about doctors.)

[Kisha]

Thanks for all of ya'lls help. No I don't fret when things are going well. I just second guess my decisions alot. I've read on some of these posts where people where in such pain they couldn't work and where treatments and the diet didn't help. Then I start thinking that maybe I don't have IC because my symptoms are not as bad. I guess I'm just in the beginning stages. (Mine began about five years ago with an almost constant dull pain in my right lower pelvic area. I was convinced it was my right ovary because it was so centralized. Eventually the pain slowly began to spread). I was just wondering if anyone else noticed such a difference when they started the diet/ treatments? And has anyone went through the treatments and are pain free?