Not sure what to do

[lynskizats]

Hi everyone,

I'm really scared that I have IC.

I'm not sure what to do. I've always felt like I've had an abnormal frequency of urination, but figured it was all in my head or that I just had a small bladder. I was embarassed about it and did my best to just ignore it. My symptoms started to get worse about 6 months ago. I was on vacation and felt like I had a UTI. The burning wasn't too bad so I tried to stick it out until I got home. I went to the doctor and, after being tested for a UTI, got the phrase that I am now so sick of hearing, that my results were "not impressive". What does that mean, anyway?

After the usual dose of Cipro didn't do anything, I went to my OBGYN. She did a full exam and couldn't tell me much of anything because my urine had not been cultured, only dipped. At the time my abdomen hurt and I was afraid that something gynecological was wrong. My GYN gave me more antibiotics as a precaution and I gradually felt better. I don't remember what she gave me.

A little over a month ago I woke up feeling the usual burning sensation and thought that I'd strained a muscle...I'd been sick the night before and thrown up. After 3 or 4 weeks I started feeling marginally better, and tried to go running like I usually do when I'm feeling well. I forced myself to finish my routine even though I was in pain, which I now see was probably the worst thing I could have done. Also, I'd been taking cranberry pills like there was no tomorrow, thinking I had an infection. Yeah. Might as well pour acid into my bladder, eh? I went to the doctor, got the usual "not impressive" response, a precautionary antibiotic, and still feel like crap. I got fed up and made an appointment with another doctor that my mom recommended.

I just saw a naturopath who gave me Natrum Muriaticum and Uristat, and first introduced the possibility of IC. She gave me a list of foods to avoid and I'd been doing so, until last night I had a couple luna bars which I now realize had a ton of vitamin B in them. I can't say if I'm better or worse today, honestly, I just feel like I have to go all the time.

Any recommendations? Suggestions? Does this sound like IC? I have been literally bawling every night out of frustration and fear that this will never go away.

Thanks for reading!

[Sarojini]

Hi there... :welcome:

I hope you don't have IC --- but if you do, you've come to the absolute best place for support.

I hate to say it, but I'm going to anyway... God, you sound an awful lot like I did when I was diagnosed with IC. That constant "gotta go NOW" feeling is the worst! I would think that my bladder had a gallon of fluid in it and dash to the toilet, but only these disappointing trickles would come out... and I'd have to do it all again in 5 or 10 minutes! Like you, I had always had to pee a lot, but in December it got constant, and terrible. I went through 3 months of that (meanwhile, I also started getting horrid pelvic and back pain) and 2 urologists... the second one diagnosed me with IC on March 4 via cystoscopy and hydrodistention. I am still trying different treatments to get myself back to whatever normal is going to be from now on, but I have hope, and some of my treatments actually do make me feel better.

Of course, you really do need to see a urologist for yourself, because perhaps it is not IC... there are other conditions that can mimic IC and you need to have those ruled out.

Good luck, and feel free to send me a private message if you want to chat, vent, whatever !!!

Sending hugs,

[SharonA]

Hello and :welcome: Glad you found us.

Please don't give up. All of us here understand the frustration and fear you are feeling right now. We have all been there.

The most important thing I can tell you is that if you have IC, you can have a full and productive life despite it. It might take some time for you but, with determination and the help of a good doctor, most of us find treatments that help.

Oh...BTW...get rid of the cranberry pills...:yikes: and make an appointment with a uro so you find out if what you are suffering from is IC. Knowledge is power.:D

[vm]

Yes, get to a urologist so you can get to the bottom of this. It does sound like IC, but it really could be something else. I couldn't tell from your post ---- has anyone actually cultured your urine recently? I ask b/c I have had dips that were negative, but when they ran a culture I did, in fact, have an infection.

Good luck. Sounds like you are doing the right things in terms of your own research and being tenacious! :)

[kelly McC]

I agree I would go to a urologist and find out for sure. Hope you are feeling better soon :grouphug:
Kelly

[lynskizats]

Thank you all for your support, I really appreciate it. Does anyone know of a uro they could recommend in the NYC / Connecticut area?

[Dixiefireball]

:welcome: to the icn im sorry you are going threw so much i hope you dont have ic but if you do we are here to support you we do care.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[vm]

YES! Dr. Moldwin is on Long Island and is one of the best in the country. :)