Pain!!!

[angelina21]

One year ago I was diagnosed with a severe UTI. It hurt so bad I had to go to a walk in clinic and was treated with antibiotics. I was fine until 2 weeks later I had pelvic pain. I went to my gyno and in the space of 5 months got a pap smear, STD test, an ultrasound, urine test, bladder/renal/pelvic ultrasounds, a pelvic x ray and ALL came back fine. I have never in my life heard of IC, but I always urinated more than most people I know...around once every hr. and a half. Well, I was told by my doctor to go see a urologist. He diagnosed me with IC. However I recently lost my job and there went the healthcare. I never could get the cystoscopy or laproscopy but my doctor said it was most likely IC. Could that bad UTI have caused IC, because that is the only link have. Also, lately there have been more problems. My bowels have been crazy and now I have external hemmorhoids that will not go away which my dr. said could be from Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is related? AND my left vaginal lip is always irritated which my dr. said could be vulvodynia. Are all these really related? My last question is there any natural herbs to help any of this? The pain stops me from doing a lot of my normal activities. I am 27yrs. old and have been with my fiance for 5 years but it's been so bad lately i'm only able to have sex once a month if i'm lucky. This whole thing has changed my life completely and I don't know what to do. Sorry for the long thread but I am new to this and any info would help. Thanks so much for reading and having this great website. It helps to know I'm not alone:)

[Mrs. Peel]

Hi, Angelina

I'm sorry to hear you lost your job. That kind of stress probably isn't helping your health.

I was recently diagnosed with IC, and I've had Irritable Bowel Syndrome since back when it was called spastic colon. IBS is pretty common, so you shouldn't have much trouble finding resources for it. I don't think hemorrhoids are part of IBS, just problems from stress and certain food combinations. The IBS page here in the forum should be helpful to you.

I've read that they are not exactly related, but people with IC often have IBS.

There are other people here who can guide you to links. I hope you find that you have something more treatable than IC, and I hope you find what you need to feel better.

[eyeliner128]

I agree that it does sound very much like I.C. and my belief is that instead of one, centralized disease, I.C. is part of a disease of the entire body, linked to a "mother disease" and each disorder is a branch.

So, I.C. (bladder symptoms) Fibromyalgia (pelvic pain) Vulvodynia (vaginal symptoms) and IBS (bowel problems) are all part of something, and are all connected. I have all four, and a few more.

As for it's spontaneous start (the bladder infection) that isn't uncommon. My mother, who is in the process of being tested for I.C. said that her symptoms started after she peed blood, was diagnosed with a bladder infection, put on Cipro antibiotics, and has had symptoms even after the meds. Also, it's not uncommon for it to spontaneously "go away" as well, so don't lose hope. There are lots of ways to feel better, you just have to let them find you.

Feel free to email me if you like, or have any more questions.

[ICNDonna]

Are you following an IC diet? If not, I suggest you begin that today. Some ICers find that single step helps more than anything else.

Donna

[mary124]

Yes I think that one UTI can do damage. I had what was quite a few (and sometimes they were actually UTI's and sometimes not) finally went to a Uro. and after 5 years or so and many test/procedures I was dx with IC. I also have IBS which like it was mentioned above it was known as spastic colon.
I am so sorry about the job loss, hopefully, you can find another one soon.