Im sending in my broth culture today

[needsrelief]

I have my urine specimen ready to be sent. I just really have to know if there is some bacteria that maybe causing my symptoms. maybe lingering from my first UTI which I had got 5 years ago. primary symptoms are frequency, urgency, pain, urethral burning, and pelvic pain during intercourse. I remember when I first saw the uro years ago about this he did a vaginal exam along with a bladder ultrasound. he said bladder looked ok. when he did a vaginal exam he took a cotton swab tip and got a sample and said that it was alot of bacteria so he gave my flagyl for BV. I was given flagyl to take for 5 days and I notice that after taking it my IC symptoms were in remission for about a month, then returned. I dont believe in the anti-biotic anti-flammatory effect in this case because I was symptom free for so long and that would mean its a very potent anti-inflammatory. Its just something telling me that there may still be a deep embedded infection. I could be wrong. I will post the results of the broth culture in 7-10 days. Even if it comes out negative. I know that GOD is going to heal me of this horrible disease someway...somehow.

[Lizzylu]

I'd be interested in doing this too. How much does it cost?
And if it is an infection, how come the symptoms come and go (at least in my case? Wouldn't they always be there? Just curious.

[Snowden1]

Looking into this too. Please let me know what you find out. I was also given Flagyl gel to put intot the vagina for 5 nights for BV. This is what actually seemed to flare my pelvic area and push the IC issue into my bladder (I only had pelvic pain - not bladder issues before the Flaygl.)

[Lizzylu]

I spoke with my Dr about this and he thinks it's a good idea to do this test. He also said I should look into acupuncture.

[needsrelief]

Ok I will let you know my results hopefully sometime early next week.

[needsrelief]

I got my broth culture results today.and pretty much it was contaminated. The lady said I must have done the specimen collection incorrectly. It wasnt true. I followed the instructions to the T. She said well your skin must of touched it. I said there is no way. I made sure that didnt happen. She says that happens alot with people who send from different states and countries. What a waste of money:cussing:

[Lizzylu]

oh no... that's not fair. Did they say you could send another urine sample? You paid them $$ they should let you send another sample. Will they send your $$ back?

[needsrelief]

the lady seemed kinda rude. she just said you will just need to send another sample. She didnt mention about getting your money back. She kept trying to say it must have been something that I did wrong. so thats a bad sign.

[silliesyl]

hi needsrelief,
i am curious to know if this lab is based out of virginia? thanks!

[needsrelief]

yep thats the one!!

[silliesyl]

I was thinking about doing the same procedure but haven't spoke to anyone before who had done it. So what are your feelings about it? Do you recommend it and if so how much are they charging you? thanks!

[needsrelief]

If you are in Virginia and you can do it in thier office that maybe better. otherwise I dont recommend it. My results came back "contaminated". they insisted I did something wrong when collecting the urine. I told them that I followed every single direction. It was too expensive not too. it was $129 and $60 to ship overnite as they require. she told me that this happens alot to people who ship from other states and countries. i think maybe it was contaminated during shipping. maybe the heat or something. I did ship with an icepack and they verified that, that was sufficient. It is a risk if you send it off. Im so frustrated there is no way that I did this wrong. she told me that I can send another sample. like are u freaking kidding me. money dont grow on trees.

[sshannon74074]

Can you guys fill me in on the broth culture and the lab in virginia. I think there is bacteria, virus, yeast, fungus, mold or something that is causing this. I would like to have some tests done by someone that knows something about IC

[ICNDonna]

You can read about testing and antibiotic treatment in the Patient Handbook. Advertising of specific lab facilities is not allowed on the IC Network. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor about your suspicions about the cause of your IC and ask about testing.

Donna

[sshannon74074]

I'm having a little trouble understanding this site's definition of advertising. Inquiring about a lab that might be particularly effective in culturing urine specimens does not fit any definition of advertising that I've ever heard. There are many mentions of various books, pills, doctors, throughout this forum. How is this different? Please explain because I thought this site's prerogative was to help and not hinder progress.

[needsrelief]

I know that any mention of drs,experts, books ect need to be approved by the sites manager beforehand I believe for liability reasons. you can email the IC manager Jill and ask.

[purpleviolet]

For the most part this site is great, but they do pick and choose what they consider advertising... the broth culture is alternative and I guess mainstream doctors have not picked up on it or approved of it. I'm sure over the years that someone sometime has been helped by the broth culture but it is buried in thousands of posts. I sent mine in maybe 15 years ago and they really did not find anything definitive, but then recommended antibiotics but I don't know why. I was on antibiotics for a sinus infection for a month one time and that did not cure my IC, not that it was the same antibiotic that they would recommend. I do keep reading about infections in the urotoday journal that goes to doctors and germs form biofilms and hide out and evade antibiotics for sure. The researchers really know this but most docs don't talk about it. A recent study said most flares are not caused by infections and so they recommend that doctors don't give their patients emergency antibiotics in case they feel an IC flare on the weekend or middle of the nite is caused by an infection and they want to start rite away. Luckily my uro nurse always let me keep an emergency stash of antis because believe me there are times when you really know you have an infection and usually it is unbearable and in the middle of a weekend. good luck.

[purpleviolet]

Wanted to add that I take a multi strain probiotic and blueberry (not cranberry) pills and cross my fingers I don't seem to come down with an infection when I take these things. (so far so good)