I don't know . . .(woe is me story)

[heather88]

Hello everyone. My name is Heather, and I think that I have IC.

It feels like this started a long time ago, but it hasn't even been 2 months since I received word that I had my first bladder infection.

I have very irregular periods, and when I began losing weight I got one after a long time going without a cycle and the bleeding was super heavy. I became very dizzy and I couldn't see straight, so I went to the ER. They told me I was fine besides a very mild bladder infection which the doctor gave me Bactrum for.

The bactrum seemed to keep the symptoms from getting worse, but when the dosage was over with my urethra became more and more irritated.

I went again a couple of weeks later and was put on cypro, since the infection was still there.

The cipro seemed to help especially towards the end of the antibiotics. I thought that I was cured and I was so happy. Sadly, a few days later, the symptoms came back and have only been getting worse from here on out.

I don't have insurance so I've been visiting a sliding scale clinic. Literally waiting for 6-8 hours just to get a culture one day, and see a doctor another. I did bloodwork and STD testing and everything came back negative. On top of that my urine culture was clean.

I am just at a loss as to what to do . . . I have not drank soda since december of last year and I eat fairly nutritious. My boyfriend and I are thinking of eating organic from now on, in hopes that it may ease the pain that I am always in down there . . .

I've been crying everyday because I do not know what to do. I called the only two uroligists in town and I have to get approved . . .which I probably wont since I don't have insurance or a job.

Reading posts from people with IC is extremely depressing. Most people are happy finding others that they can related to, and I kind of am, but I don't find much happiness in a disease that is uncurable and doctors tend to neglect unless you can find a good one that will take care of you.

I can't stop crying, I 'm miserable. I'm only 21 and I do not want to be going through this right now.

Hopefully with time and research about this disease my story can change from such a depressing tone ;[.

[ICNDonna]

I know it's possible that you have IC, but not necessarily so. Hopefully once you get the infection under control you will begin to feel better.

Sending healing thoughts your way,
Donna

[amaranthe]

:welcome: :hi:

I agree that if you still dont have a definitive diagnosis of IC, it is still possible that you may not have it. It is quite possible that your bladder may be irriated from having had a complicated or prolonged bladder or urinary tract infection. (Although, yes, IC is a possibility too.)

At this point, the best thing you can do for yourself is get to a knowledgable Uro who can diagnose your problem. Unfortunately, with your not being employed right now and not having insurance, that might be a problem for you. However, many Drs. do have payment plans. I would definately call around to find out, and try to get in with one of the Drs. listed here:

http://www.ic-network.com/md


Meanwhile, there are lots of things you do to help yourself. For starters, whether or not you have IC, with a bladder problem, going on the IC Elimination Diet would be helpful. You can find info about that in the patient handbook. http://www.ic-network.com/handbook

Also, for symptomatic relief, you can try several over the counter things such as Prelief (an antacid taken before eating), AZO Standard (a urinary analgesic that turns your urine a different color and helps with freq/urg and bladder spasms). Also, some IC patients are helped by taking antihistimines, antacids, and most are bothered by NSAIDs and take Tylenol instead when they need an OTC pain reliever.

While you are waiting to get in to a Uro, start keeping a food diary and symptom diary. Write down everything you eat and also record your symptoms throughout the day. You can also use this as a sleep journal, recording number of times you go to the bathroom in the night as well as how long you slept and quality of sleep. Record your pain each day at least 3-4 times on a scale from 1-10. (If you have an increase in pain, record any activity that caused it such as sex, repetitive motion, excersize, a certain food or beverage, etc.) If you take something or use something to relieve the pain, record what you did, what worked, what didnt, and how much it helped. (Things like heat, ice, resting, heating pads, warm bath, sleep, meds, stretching, urinating, etc.)

I hope that you get a d/x very soon. Just remember that this is the hardest part. Once you know what you have, you can get on the right meds and treatments and will feel a whole lot better. Meanwhile, try everything you can that doesnt require a r/x and keep good records of what works and what doesnt so you can help your Dr. help you. I hope you feel better very soon!

Good luck!
Amaranthe

[SharonA]

:welcome: to the IC Network...:)

Eating organic is great, but it is important to remember that an orange is an orange no matter if it is grown organically or not. What I am trying to say is, if you are having pain because of your diet, then you need to learn if certain foods/drinks cause problems for you. As and example...For me, anything citric is very problematic. Oranges are no longer part of my diet no matter where or how they are grown.

I hope you do not have IC. No one one these boards who does have it would hope that someone else comes down with it. It is miserable, but it is possible to get control of the symptoms and live a very productive and happy life.

I hope you are able to get answers very quickly as to what is going on inside your body.

:):):)

[VickiB]

I do think eating organic is good if one can afford it, but like Sharon said, that isn't necessarily where the main problem lies for those of us with IC. Here's a link to the cheatsheet which I found very helpful when I was new to IC: http://www.ic-network.com/diet/dietcheatsheet.html

Reading posts from people with IC is extremely depressing.
I remember thinking the same thing when I came here! Keep in mind that typically, once people get better they seldom return and post on the boards anymore. They're out living their lives! There's not that many of us who are doing well but still hang around which, when reading the boards, kind of gives a skewed impression of life with IC!

If you do have IC I want you to know that with treatment and tricks most people do get better,... and odds are you'll be one of them!

Vicki

[Mrs. Peel]

Darlin' don't give up hope. If you had a bladder infection that long, it would be no surprise that it still hurts.

Avoiding the "bad" things on the diet list can help you heal up.

I have no idea whether you have any place you could start a garden, but it would take your mind off things and provide healthy, organic food. And it's pretty cheap.

Post here as much as you want. We will listen.