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View Full Version : New to ICN - Would Appreciate Any Advice


cmp98
10-08-2009, 11:44 AM
Hello everyone-

I'm new to ICN, and to IC in particular. I am so glad to have found this site, as it has given me so much information and a better understanding of what I might have (I have not been diagnosed yet).

I am a 42 year old woman and up to last year, had never had a UTI. It was the worst pain I ever had, and I went to the doctor and was put on antibiotics, and the infection cleared. Everything was fine until this year, around Mother's Day, when I developed the same symptoms. I went to the doctor and they found bacteria in my urine, and prescribed Bactrim. Took the Bactrim for a few days but no relief, so was switched to Levaquin. Seemed to help except that just as I was finishing the meds, the symptoms re-appeared - this time with pain in my kidneys. Doctor diagnosed a kidney infection and another round of Levaquin. The kidney infection was horrible, and I missed several days of work due to the extreme fatigue and pain. The Levaquin cleared it up, but ever since, every month or so, I experience symptoms of burning and pressure in my pelvic area, and what seem to be spasms in my bladder. I urinate frequently, but no urgency or burning during urination, but I've always been a water drinker, so I'm not sure how much of that is attributed to the water, or whatever is going on. I sometimes have severe burning if I am sitting for long periods of time. I have returned to the doctor if the symptoms increased and each time no bacteria. I finally made an appointment with a urologist who recommended a renal ultrasound - came back fine. Went a few more months without symptoms, then last week, I started having really bad symptoms of burning and pelvic pressure again. Back to the urologist, and he wants to do a cystoscopy. I've scheduled it for next week, just to rule out anything else. With all of the research I've done on this, it sounds like IC. Would appreciate any comments or advice from those who have gone this route before me - its a very frustrating situation and I am concerned about the cystoscopy, even though I think I will feel relieved if that checks out ok.

Thanks for your time in reading my post - everyone seems so very nice on here and I'm hoping to figure this out.

:help:

systitis
10-08-2009, 12:00 PM
At 42, are you in meno or perimeno? If so, this very informative thread on the hormonal aspects of urinary issues and Estrace cream (and other estrogen therapies) as treatments might be helpful...It certainly helped me & many others of us ...

http://tinyurl.com/yhdazz3

cmp98
10-08-2009, 12:16 PM
Its possible that I am in perimenopause, but don't know - been on BC pills for 12 years for management of PCOS and just came off the pill at the end of last month - experiencing a lot of ovarian pressure - think I just ovulated for the first time in years! All this going on at the same time!

VickiB
10-08-2009, 01:12 PM
It sounds like you're on the right track to finding out what's going on with you. This is a really frustrating time, -when you know something's wrong but don't know exactly what. Most of us have been there. Unfortunately, if it is IC (and it does sound like IC is a possibility for you) it can seem to take forever to get through the diagnostic process.

Have you found the IC diet in the handbook on this site yet? That's one thing you might try while you wade through the process of diagnosis. It can't hurt and it might just help.

Hope you get some answers soon!
Vicki

Diamic65
10-08-2009, 05:19 PM
Welcome:welcome: I was diagnosed in 2005 with IC. My Mother has it as well and a cousin on my Moms side of the family. I had bladder infections ever since I was a little girl. I watched Mom go through so much pain because of IC. I had a bad UTI 2005 and was unable to pee so they put me in the hospital. The doctor done C. scope and found nothing. So they sent me to a URO and they done the HYDRO. Thats when they found the IC. I wish you lots of luck. This is the best place ICN. It has helped me so much.

DIAMIC65:dance:

Skynard
10-08-2009, 11:56 PM
Welcome. Interesting to note that the doctor took you off birth control and you start to notice problems. I had the same thing after being on them forever. There must be some kind of connection there. I have had two rounds of blood work for my hormones. This gives them a base to work off of later when you start to go thru menopause. I would suggest it. Hope you start to feel better soon!

God Bless.

ddktt
10-09-2009, 11:36 AM
I agree with Skynard. Consider a hormonal connection. Hormones have helped me immeasurably!

I just read that 1.3 million people have IC and 1.2 million of them are women. It's not a stretch to suspect that it could be related to female hormone imbalances. GOOD LUCK!!

sissygirl
10-09-2009, 01:06 PM
A drop in estrogen levels can upset the pH of the vagina and the bladder needs lots of estrogen as it has lots of estrogen receptors. So I join the chorus saying if you don't get clear answers from your uro a trip to a really knowledgable GYN would be worthwhile....

Hope you feel better soon!

jen48446
10-15-2009, 05:34 AM
I agree with the others, find someone who specializes in hormone testing, general practioners go by a "range" & it's garbage, it doesn't go by an individual's need!!

I have a story in Word if you'd like, PM me with your e-mail address:smile tee:angel::cat: