Have IC Symptoms, what do I do now?

[tommygal]

Wow, I must say this forum seems pretty nice! Just hope I don't do something wrong and I can understand what to do. :P I'm just gonna write a breif summary about me, and if anyone has any suggestions or advice I'll take anything!
I have been sick for 5 years with several different symptoms. Doctors were never any help! I just recently in Jan. had a lap and found out I have Endo. So I am working on treating that. I was hoping that the endo being lasered off my bladder would help but it did not. I have done quite bit of searching and IC seems to be the only thing that seems like it could be a option for what is wrong with me.
I have had extremem frequent urination for years! Every since I was a little kid I remember having to go to the bathroom far more than everyone else. And it's just getting worse! Along with that I have bad icthing in the vaginal area, and off and on burning when I urinate. The worst of it all is the frequent urination, and I need to figure out what to do about it before I move on with life, I can't be like this in college and at a job! I have to go at least 30 min to a hour and a half at the most when I have'nt really even been drinking anything. But if I drink just one glass of water or juice I go about every 10-15 mins for a hour or two! It's quite bad. Most of school I have had to do at home, but when I was going it was so bad having to continue to go to the bathroom.
I'm just wondering what do I do now? Do I go see a urologist? I have read about changing your diet and stuff, but I never drink caffiene or have much citrus foods at all. How do tohey treat this? Thank you to anyone who replies!!! Oh forgot one thing! Whenever I go to the bathroom, afterward it still feels like I always still have to go but can't anymore.

[Sarojini]

:welcome: to the ICN!

Glad you found us. Have you looked at our Patient Handbook yet? It is located at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook.

The handbook contains lots of information about IC, including things about diagnostic procedures, the different treatments, and tips for self-help. It was a lifesaver for me when I was searching for a diagnosis too.

I think you definitely should go see a urologist who is knowledgeable about IC. It sounds like you might have IC, but there are other conditions that can mimic it, so it's best to see a doc who can do all of the proper testing.

Good luck, and keep us posted :)

[HillaryD]

:hi:
It's great to have you here! I agree with Jen, you need to get to a Urologist! If it is IC that you have there are many different treatment options and every Dr treats it differently. I myself, am being treated with 3 medications and DMSO's. I am fairly new to IC, I was diagnosed in March of this year, so I am still trying to learn about it myself. It is not an easy thing to have and I hope that you don't have it, but if you do this network is the place to be. Please feel free to ask my any questions and you can PM me at any time. Good luck to you!
:kiss:
Hillary

[peiti]

Tommygal,

Welcome to this board. I would like to share my story here and hope it can help you in some way.

My IC symptoms started 10 years ago, a few months after graduating from college. There were urgency and terrible frequency at that time. I had to pee every 15 minutes and couldn't hold any longer if I had to go. I saw the primary dr and he put me on antibiotics. Never responed to antibioticts. I went from doctor after doctor, some even suggested me to see a shrink. One day, I was desperately searching answer in the bookstore and read an article wroten by a urologist. The article introduced IC and its symptoms and some treatments. I was so shocked because I had most of the symptoms decribed in the book. Then a few days later, I went to see a urologist showing him the article and insisted to have a cysto. Then I was diagnosed with IC.

I know there are a lot of methods now used to diagnose IC. You can read the ICN handbook to get some information. I just had another Cysto last week. It was less barbaric than 10 years ago. This time my gyno put local anesthesia on my urethra before inserting the scope so I didn't have any pain. There was some pressure on my pelvic when the dr put water in my bladder.

If you have any questions, please ask here. We are here to help and support. :angel: