Strange Doctor

[Zygala87]

I had to go to the ER this weekend for reasons unrelated to IC. Of course they wanted to know my health history. When I told them I have Interstitial Cystitis. A nurse asked the Doctor what that was. He told her "all it means is her bladder is small". Has anyone here been told by a Doctor the same thing? I told him that my belief was I have a normal size bladder but the lineing (gag layer) was gone and it is very painful yet controllable with a number of different things such as the diet, lots of water and in my case Elmiron. He just blew me off. I didn't really care as I was concerned over the reason I was there. He strangely pushed down very hard on my bladder which hurt me a lot. I was angry and told him not to do that again. He could tell that I meant it in no uncertain terms. I found the whole thing bizarre.
Ziggy

[ICNDonna]

It's good that you didn't see him for help with your IC. I know I've had to describe interstitial cystitis several times to different specialists. I'm just glad my uro does know how to treat me.

Hugs,
Donna

[c2miracle]

That really makes me mad when I hear stories like that! We need more IC Awareness! Our medical professionals need more education regarding IC, and the painful toll it takes on us, physically and mentally. (just venting) :cussing:

As always take care and think positive! :)

[nottoc4]

I usually get a blank stare when I have to describe it to a MD. My PCP says he knows about it but I'm not sure. My UroGyn treats me for IC...the PCP for everything else.

[shawnster]

It is for this reason that I have surrounded myself with female doctors and have been lucky enough to have a female uro. I know it's not politically correct to gender bash, but I do feel that my female doctors have been more understanding and aware of IC issues and all of them have probably had cystitis at some point or another and get it. My initial male uro just wasn't clued in.

And on a complete different tangent, one of my bf who is 33 just told me this last weekend that she's never had a UTI *ever*. I wanted to throttle her :)

[Zygala87]

A small bladder? Is that something some people really have and are found to have IC for real? The Doctor mashing down on my bladder has put me into a flare. Unusual for me. I am just now starting to feel relief. My goodness one would think they are safe in an ER. I gave up hope that many medical persons have yet to understand IC. I don't even bother with lay people unless they seem really interested. I do have some great Doctors and I'm grateful for that. Yes saying to a female Doctor It feels like a UTI seems to get them to understand just how my pain feels even if it is not a UTI. Thanks for feed-back. Hugs Ziggy

[kadi]

I've had good female & male doctors. I've had awful female & male doctors.
The worst doctor I had who told me I just had menstrual cramps, then labeled me a psych patient when I said "no, it doesn't feel like that", was a woman doctor I'd known for five years prior to developing IC. Obviously I left her practice & then had the ICA send her literature.

The kindest & most helpful doctors I've had have been both male & female.
What matters is their education level, their compassion & their professionalism.

[shawnster]

I've had good female & male doctors. I've had awful female & male doctors.
The worst doctor I had who told me I just had menstrual cramps, then labeled me a psych patient when I said "no, it doesn't feel like that", was a woman doctor I'd known for five years prior to developing IC. Obviously I left her practice & then had the ICA send her literature.

The kindest & most helpful doctors I've had have been both male & female.
What matters is their education level, their compassion & their professionalism.

You're right. My biofeedback doctor is a guy and a funny one at that. I do find it easier to talk through issues with my female uro. When I told her that I suffer from panic attacks, she told me that her husband has really bad panic attacks and related to me one incident that happened during the Kentucky Derby. She was willing to share a personal story with me inorder to make me feel better. It made me feel like she understood where I was coming from.

I do think we're good at feeling out whether or not a doctor is going to be the right one within 10 minutes of talking to them. I am a big believer in going with your gut instinct.

[ICNDonna]

I have to say that I have seen two female doctors, both of whom were okay and I would recommend either --- but the doctors I have found most sympathetic and understanding have been men.

Donna

[nevergiveup]

I get that a lot too...I dont understand why IC is such a mystery to doctors...It is scary thought and frustrating when you are in desperate need and some doctors look at you like one you are nuts, and two its all in your head! It's rare to find a doctor that really tries to help you and not just pacify you with meds and procedures that are going to benefit their bank account... Sorry about your experience...:confused:

[rjyoon]

At the time I was diagnosed with IC, my bladder capacity (under anesthesia) was 200 cc. My functional capacity was less, of course. I was told that it shrank partly because I wasn't using it due to my frequency, plus there was scar tissue. That's why I had to have a hydrodilatation to stretch it out, but it's still on the small side. So I would say there is some correlation between IC & small bladders, but it's not the main thing.