IC or something else?

[anie]

Hi all!

I've always had a history of UTI (about 4x/yr), kidney infections, as well as frequency, although I didn't realize that everyone else can hold it for more than 2 hours.

Starting about 6 weeks ago however, I had what I thought was a UTI with burning, urgency, and PAIN. I went to a local clinic and was told that there was no evidence of UTI on the dipstick, but I was put on 3 days of Bactrim to be sure. Got worse during this time. Since I have stumbled on this website, and think I may have IC, or some other bladder issue.

I've starting taking Claritin (H1 histamine blocker) + Tagamet (H2 histamine blocker) during the day, and Benedryl at night, and I am about 90% better. Pain is gone, but I still have frequency greater than normal.

I'm wondering what triggered this tho. I'm a coffee/tea/acid lover, and I cut all these out. A less acid diet made it worse, and when I added coffee back my symptoms seemed to improve. I don't think its diet.

I recently added biking to my training (I swim and run), and all this started around the same time. Maybe it's just muscle spasms?

I also bought some cheap dish soap from the store, and I have a lot of allergies to soap. I'm also allergic to fluoride in toothpaste, and we have fluoridated water. Hm.

Yesterday I had to take my cat to the vet for bladder problems as well, she's got "bladder crystals", and never had a problem prior to this. Coincidence?

I'm uninsured, so I'm trying to do what I can without having to pay out of pocket.

Thanks for this site, it has helped a ton.

[VickiB]

:welcome:

My story started out similar, a history of UTIs but then it changed to UTI symptoms with clean tests.

I'm uninsured, so I'm trying to do what I can without having to pay out of pocket.
I operated on that same plan for a long time. Actually, still do on the most part when it comes to treating my IC. It's a shame medical help is so darn expensive! But, it might be advantageous for you to bite the financial bullet and see a urologist. If nothing else just to make sure the cause of your symptoms are something you should be treating on your own.

Welcome to the group!

Vicki

[anie]

I may be getting some insurance soon through school so I am definately going to try to get some tests done just in case it is something that I should have treated in a different manner (stones, infection, etc).

My boyfriend is very much into natural health and had a book on trigger points and massage, and it said some bladder/pelvic pain may be referred pain from pelvic muscles. It mentioned finding the trigger points and such and ways to reduce stress on these muscles. I also moved in the last week too, so muscle strain is very possible.

I'm wondering if anyone has had any success with acupuncture. I learned in my nursing school that this is one of the only methods that has show success with chronic neurogenic pain/inflammation syndromes. I may try if other things are unsuccessful.

Thanks!

[Calinda]

Due to medical costs I also couldn't get an official diagnosis. However, the diet should help if you have IC. The diet helped me right away. I also had to watch some of my exercises though, because they can aggravate the bladder as well, so I do more moderate less strenous ones (no more situps). Stress can also be a trigger. I just went on the diet very strictly and that's how I know what it was. I think you have to do it for a while though because other things can also be triggers to the pain, so you'd have to give it enough time to tell.

[anie]

So I thought I'd post a follow up. Apparently I'm VERY allergic to ONE supplement that I had been taking. When I stopped taking this, symptoms totally gone for 3 weeks, then for a test, took some, and within a day, burning. Stopped again, and symptoms gone. Tried again, symptoms back. So I think I proved it to myself. Since quitting this supplement, I haven't had ANY symptoms of IC.

I was wondering if it is possible to be sensitive to only one thing, of if this is a sign that I should take care about other things that may irritate my bladder? Is it possible to have one allergy and not have IC?