Does this sound like IC?

[kristinj]

I have been frequenting these boards for the past couple of weeks and even posted my story a couple weeks ago. I am still totally confused and frustrated and need help. I have been suffering from the constant need to urinate for about three weeks now. The feeling that I need to go is always there. My urine culture was negative. My urologist put me on Sanctura XR. I took it for 8 days with no real noticeable difference so I stopped. In that time I also had a clear CT scan. Today I had an in office cystoscopy and my doctor found nothing except for "very slight inflammation" which he said is from a previous bladder infection. My urologist told me that he is "at a loss" for what is going on with me. He wants me to try taking Enablex for a week or Vesicare to see if either of those help me. I am definitely retaining urine, as today even after I thought I emptied my bladder, the nurse cathed me and still got 70 cc out. I don't know if the urine retention is from the Sanctura (I've only been off of it for 2 days) or just a symptom of my problem, whatever it is. Does this sound like IC? I am ready to take matters into my own hands. I can't sleep unless I take a sleeping pill, because I get up to pee so much. I have already given up coffee and I am trying to follow a good diet. Anyone have any suggestions? I am so frustrated and very teary today. I feel like my normal life will never be normal again.

[elamar]

you need to be on actual antispasmodics. Ask your doctor about prosed, urelle or utira-c. Overactive bladder meds like vesicare, detrol, sanctura, enablex, etc, just don't seem to work well for those with IC. Another med that worked well for me was ditropan xl (generic version). My spasms were so bad that I had to use both ditropan xl and utira-c together for relief. Just be careful because ditropan is notoriuos for causing constipation. You might need to be on something like miralax to keep bowel movements regular. I have been on utira-c over 2 years now. Hope this helps. Sometimed doctors will have free samples of urelle or prosed in their office for you to try before filling the prescription. Doesn't hurt to ask. These meds can also be called into a pharmacy without an appt. so you can call the doctor's office instead of suffering until your next appt. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

[ICNDonna]

It's possible that what you have is IC. It sounds very much like your doctor is attempting conservative treatments first. Hopefully this will work for you.

Donna

[kristinj]

Thanks. I have decided not to try the enablex or vesicare for now. When I read about them, it just doesn't seem to fit my symptoms. I just started taking Urelle yesterday. I took it four times yesterday and once so far today. How long do you think it takes to work? I still woke up several times last night to urinate and had trouble sleeping. I have read that Urelle takes a few days to get into your system? Does this seem true? I am beyond frustrated right now. I don't have a diagnosis and my doc doesn't seem to know what is wrong with me. I am looking for another uro right now.

[vm]

I agree with Donna completely. My symptoms in the beginning sound very similar to yours right now. My doctor was very conservative - and I am grateful for that. I wanted a quick fix of course! But I am now so glad he started with one med at a time to rule things out - and to try to find me relief using the least invasive methods first - and the fewest medications first.

Has your uro mentioned IC at all yet? Is it something he is working towards?