I haven't been diagnosed, but I have questions

[curlygirl]

I am on Ditropan which seems to be helping. I asked my MD how long I will have to stay on it and he said that when I stop having pain I should try to go without. This scares the heck out of me. What if I can never go off it? He said if I am unable to discontinue the meds after one month that he will do a cystoscopy and hydrodistention- this too scares the hell out of me.
I asked him about Prelief and he didn't even know what it was... Does this mean he's a bad MD for IC. Do all MDs know about this? Is this pretty common?
I am thinking about switching to another MD. My father was an MD, died about 10 yrs ago and my mom said that if I didn't like this MD I should call this other one... she thinks I might have better luck b/c he knew my dad.
I am feeling really scared. This is not what I need. I am 33 yo and these are the meds I am on ( I have other issues to):

Zoloft
Protonix (for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Estrogen Patch ( I have premature ovarian failure aka POF)
Proetrium (for POF too)
Synthroid (for my thyroid- for POF too)
and now this Ditropan

It depresses the hell out of me to think that I have to take up to 6 pills a day....

Did you all have to go through a really lengthy process to get the correct meds? I'm really frustrated. Can you help PULEAZ!?
:confused:
TIA

[mayray518]

If everything else is ruled out (i.e., bladder infection, bladder stones, kidney problems) then your doc should check for IC immediately and not allow you to be in pain. Ditropan is a bladder relaxer and I took it for awhile but it is not the answer to IC. The only way a doc can diagnose IC is to do cysto and hydrodistention. Ask your doctor what he knows about IC and how he treats it. If you get the runaround, find another doctor who is knowledgeable about IC. Hope this has helped you.

[Dixiefireball]

:hi: and :welcome: to the icn. i'm sorry you are having the run around but if the doctor doesnt know much about ic and I would asked him what he knew about it. in order for you to feel more comp. with him. if he doesnt give you the answers you want to here call the other doctor your mom knows but also asked him do you sp. in people with IC that way if he sp in it he will be able to dx you.
Hope all goes well please let us know we do care.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda:kiss:

[curlygirl]

Meant to add this here. Don't know how it wound up in a post all it's own.

[ICNDonna]

It sounds like your doctor is on the right track in treating you conservatively first before more invasive testing. If the medications work and you are able to discontinue them, that's good. And if they don't, it sounds like he has a plan to do a hydrodistention to rule out interstitial cystitis.

However, if you have any concerns at all, it's definitely okay to see another doctor for a second opinion.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[curlygirl]

Thanks Donna. The only reason it might be sticky to switch is the other MD works in the same hospital and dept as the one I have now-- I have an HMO.. But I doubt that I will let that stand in my way of seeking another opinion.

Just out of curiosity--- is anyone out there able to drink alcohol?

[curlygirl]

Let's try this again

*****************
He keeps telling me based on my symptoms that I don't have it...I can't tell if I am getting the run around yet, but I think I might be. I had lab tests done and he didn't even tell me about them, I had to call and talk to the advice nurse. I ditropan in helping a lot. I haven't had pain at all-unless I eat something really bad. I haven't even been on the meds a week, so I didn't want to stop them yet- the really only started working on Sunday or so. I thought I might give my bladder some time to recover and rest, in case it was irritated. I am thinking about call this other uro next week. Sometimes it's hard to tell if you're not getting the right txt and I think I might not be....I also have some doctor friends, so I will ask them what they think ( about the way he practices)...



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