Does this sound like IC?

[missy812]

Hello,
I was diagnosed with a kidney infection in April of 2009. It went away w/12 days on Cipro, no complications. I ended up with another one mid-September of 2009. 9 days on Cipro, infection cleared up, but quickly returned within a week. 12 days on macrodantin and the infection cleared up again (I've been off of it for over a week.) The pain in my lower back, and right side/back has never gone away.. At times my side is okay, but at times it aches. I have recently developed a pain in my bladder as well, mostly over the past 2 weeks. I feel like I have a UTI, but I don't. I have blood in my urine as well. I also have a low-grade fever that’s sporadic and I'm very fatigued. I don't have pain when I urinate, I just have pain in my bladder area at all times. It's a crampy and sometimes stabbing, moderate pain.
My GP suspected stones in the kidney so I had an Ultrasound of my kidneys and everything came back normal. I had a CT scan on Tuesday of the abdomen and pelvic, I get the results back this afternoon.
I found out about IC last night when I did a search on "UTI Symptoms with no infection," and I'm wondering if the symptoms I have sound like I may have this? Will a CT Scan (with and without contrast) detect it?
I plan on making an appt with a Urologist after my GP appt today, whatever the results of the CT Scan are. I'm sick of continually going to the Dr. with no answers.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions/opinions!

[77amy]

"I feel like I have a UTI, but I don't. I have blood in my urine as well. I also have a low-grade fever that’s sporadic and I'm very fatigued. I don't have pain when I urinate, I just have pain in my bladder area at all times. It's a crampy and sometimes stabbing, moderate pain."

I am NOT a dr. but to me this sounds exactly like I.C. But not to my knowledge, the kidney issues you describe. There are several ways that your Urologist can diagnose if you have I.C. But whether you have a bladder infection, or I.C. I think that the I.C. diet could maybe help you. There are a lot of sections on this site that talk about the diet. I hope you feel well soon!

[Stella1609]

I would say a fever and visible blood in your urine points more towards some low-grade infection than IC, especially since you have only had your symptoms for a few weeks. A CT scan isn't generally something that can be used to identify IC--usually a diagnosis is based on symptoms with absence of any other diagnosis, a cystoscopy with hydrodistension, or a potassium sensitivity test. That being said, it certainly COULD be IC! Either way, hang in there, and let us know how your test results are :).

[ICNDonna]

IC is a possibility, but it's also possible that it's something else. I think you're wise to work with your doctors on a diagnosis.

Donna

[katjonez]

Your case sounds similar to mine but we all have to find our own answers. So keep looking and remember that you are a health care customer. Try to really learn about how YOUR body responds to foods and medications. It is all a journey. And here you have found support and help. Good luck and God Bless

[missy812]

My CT scan results came back today with nothing definitive. Next visit to the Uro...

Thank you all for your responses. I think I'll try different foods and see if that helps me to feel better.