Do I have IC?

[Matt M]

Hello,

I'm a 27 year old married Male who is healthy otherwise...
Last Tuesday afternoon (a week ago) I had to pee and went. I still had to go though. So I went a little more. I still had to go about 20 seconds later.
This has lasted for a week now.

My UTI tests and cultures all say I have no infections or STDs.

I get some relief at times but have to pee most of the time.

I'm pretty sure I had a bit of slight stinging and irritation in my urethra as well.

Could I have IC?

Please help!

I'll happily answer any other questions.
Matt

[Matt M]

Also, it's not a desperate urge to pee. It's just always there. A mild urge. No pain in the bladder. No burning. No penis or scrotum pain. And like I say, it came on all of a sudden like an infection.

[Matt M]

Sorry for repeat posts but things come to me as I read...

I've never had a UTI either and can't remember ever having this sort of urge to pee.

I took a antibiotic and an anti fungal that a dr. prescribed yesterday.

I kind of feel like the urgency is located in my urethra if that makes sense...

I'm not sure it's my bladder but I dont know.

[123456]

Hi Matt,

Definitely go see your doctor and tell him that you think you might have IC. Those symptoms are similar to many on this site. I too have never had a UTI and the doctor would give me antibiotics and call me two days later and say, "Stop taking the antibiotics, you don't have a UTI." By that time the antibiotics would be completely flaring me EVEN MORE. So, trust me, you don't want to take them if you don't have an infection.

Also, I've read that men are very often misdiagnosed with other ailments because IC is predominantly female related. So actually tell the doc you'd like to be screened for IC. There are probably more men with this disease than we all think.

Hope this is helpful.

[Matt M]

Thanks, I will.

The Antibiotic was Azythromycin. I took 4 big pills all at once so there's no going back now ;0)

The test came in false today for chlamydia and gonorrhea. If the antibiotic and antifuncal that I took doesn't clear me up I have a number for a urologist and I will ask to be tested for IC.

Thanks, if it is IC I am glad there is a place like this.

Also, if it is IC, will I always have the constant and mild urge to pee? Will it flare up and go down or will I forever have to pee?

[suncaro23]

Matt,
The disease is really different for everybody, but generally there is a feeling of urgency and much more frequency for ICer's. (Don't mean to be discouraging, just wanting to answer your question.) Your symptoms can change daily based on what you eat or drink. You can have flares and good days also. I hope you find some relief soon.
dawnja

[musiclover]

Hi Matt. I suggest in the interim, until you find a correct diagnosis, to cut out coffee, soda, vinegar and citrus. At least those things. You may save your bladder from some damage by doing that, just in case it is IC.

[maryla]

Matt,

I 2nd what Michelle said. You need to go to a uro and maybe have a hydro to see inside your bladder. That's usually the only way I know that the uro can actually see inside your bladder after it's extended to see what's going on and alot of us here get some relief from them and use them as part of our treatment. But I wouldn't stop until I do get some answers. Keep us posted.

hugs and blessings

[Matt M]

Thanks all!

I will see if the meds I took yesterday work. I should know in 3-5 days. If not I will ask teh urologist to test me for IC.

I like coffee but have been drinking less lately. I often only drink water anyway so that won't be too difficult :0)

I've been taking cranberry pills and it hasn't worstened. It's actually gotten better since the first day I beleive. So well see.

Thanks again!! You are all wondeful and I wish reliefe for us all!

[Matt M]

Well, I took some benadryl last night as I have for the past 3 nights just in case it helps with the urge to pee and to get to sleep as well. I think it had the opposite effect this time. I had trouble sleeping all night.

What can I do to decrease the urge to pee. That's basically my only symptom right now. I've been taking vicodin and percoset but the percoset is gone and there are only 3 vicodins left. They seem to give some relief.
Now that it's morning I'll try benadryl again.

[ICNDonna]

Benadryl can have a reverse effect on some people. It's possible that you have IC, but you've only had this a very short time and I'm sure your doctor will want to look at other possibilities as well. It could even be a reaction to laundry soap or the soap used for bathing. If you normally take tub baths, I suggest you switch to showering for a bit. And definitely cut out the coffee until you find out.

If you do have IC, I'd like you to know that most of us who do have it feel good most of the time. I was diagnosed 34 (almost 35) years ago and have lived a normal life.

Donna

[Matt M]

Thank you so much Donna. That is reassuring.

One more question...

The tip of my urethra (whole penis opening actually) is very sensitive now. Is that a symptom?
It's been red and irritated since a day or so before I had the attack of urgency last Tuesday.

I've had stingin sensations in my urethra as well. At certain points. On is half way down on teh righ tside so it's a farily localized urethral sting.

Any thoughts are very welcome!

Thanks,
Matt

[ICNDonna]

Since I don't have a penis I can't answer your question very well, but you might want to look at any changes you've made in your life: some examples are a change in diet, change in soaps, different fabrics or different kind of underwear, any kind of spermicide (not sure I know how to spell that). You could also have a look at the IC diet and give it a try for a while to see if that helps. And you'll want to be sure to drink enough water --- six to eight cups per day.

I hope you get some answers soon. I know it's frustrating not knowing --- I think my absolute worst time with my IC was before diagnosis. Once I learned what I have I could begin dealing with it.

Donna

[Matt M]

I have had a pretty abrupt and severe change in diet actually...

My wife and I think she has Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) so we've cut a lot of sugar and fat out but we've been drinking a lot of diet soda. I drink mostly water but sometimes drink the diet sodas.

I've been eating mostly cereal and fruit.

Thank you for your input.
Matt

[SharonA]

There are many of us who cannot eat some cereals and fruit.

If you will look at the bottom of this post in my signature, you will find a link to the IC Diet. Please take a few minutes and read all the information about the role diet can play in symptoms. You will also find a very recent reworked list of different diet items.

[ICNDonna]

Diet soda can be a real irritant --- so can many fruits --- especially citrus and cranberries. I'd stick with drinking water. Also if you're using artificial sweeteners, some of those can be irritating. I'm diabetic and thankfully can tolerate Splenda, but not nutrasweet.

I just hope we can help.

Donna

[musiclover]

Hi, I'm just writing in regard to your question about frequency. I have been trying several things in the past year, so I know what helps my frequency a little bit, but everyone is so different. It took about 2-3 weeks on a strict IC diet to notice that the diet helped me. But it really only helped about 20% if I had to put a number on it. You may try an overactive bladder medication. Those didn't help me personally. I also tried bladder instills which didn't do me much good. I'm currently on all the meds listed in my signature and that combo seems to help me with frequency a little bit anyway. But it took several months on that combo to help at all. I think the Cystoprotek and Desert Harvest aloe in combo with the diet are the things that have helped me the most so far.

It's good that you're being proactive and asking your uro about IC. You'll feel much better once you get a diagnosis and come up with a plan with your doctor.

[123456]

Oh yes, diet, diet, diet. That was the hardest to change but I did start it before I was diagnosed. I'd rather eat bland foods than be in pain. I hope you get to the doctor soon!

[suncaro23]

Matt,
Diet soda can also be a very big culprit. I know I cannot tolerate it in any way without a flare up. It would be a good thing to cut immediately.

[Matt M]

Well the urologist says I have prostatitis.
I went over my sypltoms and he checed my prostate and seems pretty sure that that's the case. I'll keep you guys posted. With luck the $150 meds I'm going to pay for out of pocket will cure me within a few weeks :0)

He also gave me something that they give to older people with overactive bladder issues that should relieve the urge to urinate caonstantly.
Luckily that one is only $5 :0)

Please pray for me. I will continue to pray for all of you lovely people!

Matt

[statesboro]

I decided I would let you know that I am a male as well. I can't say for sure what you have got now. Regardless, I would not think prostate at you age. Of course, I was told it must be my prostate at first. (age 31 then)(and no relief from antibiotics) Ok. I have never complaimed of pain, but I was told severe IC. Yep! Also, I just seemed to have started peeing more often, too. We don't enjoy having IC, or any chronic illness, but it is still good to be properly diagnosed. Ok. We are all different in ages, gender, symptoms, and medications. Oh, yeah! I had never had a UTI before then. I have by now. I don't know about the redness and irritation, but you tested negative for some STD's. Ok, then. That is gonna be all now.