I'm diagnosed now

[Turtlecat]

Just got back from the urologist and a cystoscopy (w/o distention) My bladder shows no abnormalities or cancer. He said he's looking at IC, with maybe some OAB overlap. He also mentioned my pelvic floor muscles, while not real bad, were really tight in some places. Might be looking at PT for that down the road if symptoms don't improve on the medication and diet.

He's starting me on a low dose of Enablex. When I asked about hydroxyzine, he said yes, he does prescribe that, and asked if I wanted a prescription for it, which I did.

The information packet he gave me also included information about CystoProtek, Desert Harvest Aloe Vera, and Prelief, and some info on the IC Diet, which I started two days ago.

I'm fine with him using my history and symptoms as a diagnostic, rather than PST or cystoscopy w/distension. Those can be painful and expensive, and my insurance is ending after tomorrow. He didn't even mention these tests, as he said they diagnose based more on symptoms and ruling other things out, like cancer and UTI's, etc.

I will say that the horrible memories I had from my cystoscopy five years ago are quite different than my issues right now. They gave me Urelle right after the procedure, and I haven't had near as much burning as before. For those of you who haven't had a regular in-office cystoscopy (no distension), it only last a couple of minutes with minimal discomfort. I ask to go to the bathroom twice after the procedure (which I didn't last time), and although it burned when I went, it did help. Still burning, but not near as bad as last time. Hopefully, it will just get better and not worse as the day goes on!

A little bright light now that maybe some of this will help. I'm tired of living in the bathroom!

Pam

[sissygirl]

Hi Pam--

Good for you! He sounds like a good uro if he knew about the diet, supplements etc, and knew enough to test your pelvic floor muscles too. Perhaps after you recover you might get some relief from the in-office cysto itself--I did my first time around. And great you could get this done before your insurance runs out!

[Turtlecat]

Thanks, sissygirl. And you're right, I am much better since the in-office cysto! I had no idea that one could help any! I'm not on any meds yet, but I'm a lot better since that procedure. The Urelle worked so well after the procedure, I called back and asked if I could have a prescription for some, and they gladly called it in. But haven't had to use any since the initial couple of times. Hopefully this will continue. :pray:

Pam

[sissygirl]

That's great news, Pam. After my in office cysto, the uro really couldn't tell me why it helped and didn't find anything obvious, but it left me symptom free for a decade.... Hopefully if you give your bladder lots of TLC for a while, it will continue to feel better and better....

[Turtlecat]

Wow, that's fantastic that you received that long without symptoms!

Unfortunately for me, though, the frequency started back today. It's not horrible, but I can feel it edging back. I hadn't started taking any meds yet because I wanted to see if it was going to come back, and it has. At least I'm fortunate in that I don't have pain, and the burning has gone away.

[zduran]

Hi, I'm at 73 year old woman with symptoms for 6 months & I found this network several months ago, changed my diet & got better but wanted to make sure I did have IC. I had a bladder distention with cysto this morning. Urologist diagnosis was IC and a 'severe infection' he told my husband. He's prescribed Trimethoprim 100 mg, 2 at bedtime for the infection. I looked that up & the usual dosage is only 1, I'm wondering about that, has anyone been on this med? I also got the RX for Elmiron ($360.00!!!!), we have no medical insurance for drugs. If I take Elmiron does that allow a more variety of foods you can eat, like more fruit? Otherwise I don't have a lot of pain due to eating right, so do I even need to take it? I sure don't like the possible side effects! Maybe I could eat more food items that cause pain & the Elmiron takes care of the pain from eating the wrong foods? Need answers and thanks anybody!