KWinTO
07-21-2009, 01:05 PM
Hi everybody,
I've been reading your posts for about 8 months now, but I didn't have a diagnosis until this past Monday, when I had my cysto/hydro. My problems started pretty normally with what I thought was a urinary tract infection. In retrospect, however, I had been experiencing abnormal frequency when having drinks with my friends this past fall. I always had what I thought was a large bladder capacity, so this struck me as a bit strange.
I was pretty upset from the beginning. I knew about IC because I had a similar episode of urinary urgency about three years ago that was diagnosed as trigonitis and went away after a month or so of Prosed. The research I did at the time terrified me and my symptoms this spring brought my concerns about IC rushing back.
After the onset of symptoms in November, I suffered extreme anxiety and panic attacks, which caused me to take some time off from school (I'm getting my PhD and I think the anxiety I experienced in the fall pushed me over the edge-finally my body decided it could no longer cope with the stress I was forcing it to deal with). The "infection" went away but the sensation of urgency remained. The first urologist I saw did a cystoscopy and said that everything looked normal, that I didn't have IC, and that my problems would go away if I stopped thinking about them. Typical. I had a potassium sensitivity test several months later that came back negative, and my current urologist was convinced that I didn't have IC (because I don't have pelvic pain--knock on wood--and don't really have frequency. I use the washroom maybe 5 times a day and wasn't getting up at night to urinate-- until I had the cysto/hydro :(. My urogyn. wanted to do the cysto/hydro to RULE OUT IC! I was obviously surprised when I woke up post-procedure and he told me that I had IC, gave me a prescription for Elmiron and told me he'd see me in three months. I'm so angry about this. I have no information about the severity of my IC and he gave me no info about diet, etc. Totally irresponsible in my opinion. Anyway, here I am. I had had several good weeks prior to the cysto/hydro (I even thought that I was better), but the procedure seems to have irritated things and now the urgency has returned, exacerbated by stress, I'm sure. I just wanted to ask the few questions that I assume every newly diagnosed person wants to know: Is there hope? Is there a chance that I won't have to live with this constant urgency for the rest of my life? Should I expect my symptoms to remain stable or to deteriorate? I'm trying to think positively and I would appreciate any input you may have. Also, I'm attending the Wise-Anderson protocol in August and will definitely let you know how it goes. I think part of my problem is PFD-it seems that my pelvic floor doesn't relax easily after I contract the muscles. I wish you all the best and thank you for your support.
Best wishes
I've been reading your posts for about 8 months now, but I didn't have a diagnosis until this past Monday, when I had my cysto/hydro. My problems started pretty normally with what I thought was a urinary tract infection. In retrospect, however, I had been experiencing abnormal frequency when having drinks with my friends this past fall. I always had what I thought was a large bladder capacity, so this struck me as a bit strange.
I was pretty upset from the beginning. I knew about IC because I had a similar episode of urinary urgency about three years ago that was diagnosed as trigonitis and went away after a month or so of Prosed. The research I did at the time terrified me and my symptoms this spring brought my concerns about IC rushing back.
After the onset of symptoms in November, I suffered extreme anxiety and panic attacks, which caused me to take some time off from school (I'm getting my PhD and I think the anxiety I experienced in the fall pushed me over the edge-finally my body decided it could no longer cope with the stress I was forcing it to deal with). The "infection" went away but the sensation of urgency remained. The first urologist I saw did a cystoscopy and said that everything looked normal, that I didn't have IC, and that my problems would go away if I stopped thinking about them. Typical. I had a potassium sensitivity test several months later that came back negative, and my current urologist was convinced that I didn't have IC (because I don't have pelvic pain--knock on wood--and don't really have frequency. I use the washroom maybe 5 times a day and wasn't getting up at night to urinate-- until I had the cysto/hydro :(. My urogyn. wanted to do the cysto/hydro to RULE OUT IC! I was obviously surprised when I woke up post-procedure and he told me that I had IC, gave me a prescription for Elmiron and told me he'd see me in three months. I'm so angry about this. I have no information about the severity of my IC and he gave me no info about diet, etc. Totally irresponsible in my opinion. Anyway, here I am. I had had several good weeks prior to the cysto/hydro (I even thought that I was better), but the procedure seems to have irritated things and now the urgency has returned, exacerbated by stress, I'm sure. I just wanted to ask the few questions that I assume every newly diagnosed person wants to know: Is there hope? Is there a chance that I won't have to live with this constant urgency for the rest of my life? Should I expect my symptoms to remain stable or to deteriorate? I'm trying to think positively and I would appreciate any input you may have. Also, I'm attending the Wise-Anderson protocol in August and will definitely let you know how it goes. I think part of my problem is PFD-it seems that my pelvic floor doesn't relax easily after I contract the muscles. I wish you all the best and thank you for your support.
Best wishes