What to do about pain

[sms]

Hello,

I went to my second uro this week (that is how I found this site) he said that my symtoms are like those of IC. He wants to look inside my bladder to find out. I have been having symtoms for about two years. This time it has been 5 weeks and it's been the worst pain yet. I have not been given any kind of medictation. I have been using heat but that's not helping today. Any other suggestions.

[Nicole in ATL]

Depends on what type of pain it is. For urethral burning, you can buy over the counter meds like uristat or pyridum. There are other prescription meds for burning and spasms like urimax and pyridum plus. If burning doesn't improve with theses or if your pain is pressure, spasms, frequency, tenderness, sharp or chronic...then there are other prescription meds like percocet, ultram, vicodin.

Meet with your uro, describe your pain and what you have tried for it. Ask for suggestions or a prescription.

Good luck,
Nicole

[lalarainbow]

Sms
I was dignosed with IC by cysto/hydro and had to wait 6 weeks before I saw my uro again.. He did not prescribe anything till I saw him on that post op check up....
heat - ice packs- tylenol- baking soda and water..was all I had to use till that app.
Hope you get help soon..

Nicole
Can you tell me if there is any difference between Pyridium and Uristat??? Or are they the same thing.. I can't take pyridium as it makes me really sick...
~~Pam~~
:hi:

[Dixiefireball]

hi and welcome to the icn family.
sorry your have been hurting if heat isnt helping have you tried ice?
have you been able to check out the ic diet yet that may also help you alot.
if you can't get the pain under control i think you should call your doctor and ask him to write you out a few pain pills until the pain is under control if this doesnt help ask him about going to the er.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[ICNDonna]

I also think telephoning your doctor is a good idea. You may need to ask for pain medications --- they usually aren't given unless you do request them.

Are you following an IC diet? That can be a huge help in pain control. You'll find diet information in the Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook Just eliminating such things as sodas, fruit juices, and coffee can make a huge difference.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[Nicole in ATL]

Hi Pam,

Pyridum and uristat have the same active ingredient. I don't know if the prescription is a higher dose than the OTC, but it might be.

Do they make you sick to your stomach? They do that to me too. I have to eat a good size meal with it and that helps.

Urimax and urised don't make me sick to my stomach. Have you tried those? And they don't make your urine bright red (which is so annoying b/c it stains everything). Instead they make your urine light blue.

I don't use these types of meds very much anymore b/c I need a stronger pain reliever like percocet.

Take care,
Nicole

[sms]

Last night was a really bad night. I took your advice and called GP's office this morning, he is out of town but the nurse is going to check with an associate to see if he would be willing to give me some Ultram.

I didn't know you could get uristat OTC. Where would I look for it?

I will also take your advice about the IC diet and check it out. I didn't know fruit juice could be a problem. I had OJ yesterday which I had not drank in a while. Could that be why last night was such a bad night?

[mom_in_ma]

Everyone has given you good advice. Things that you can do immediately are:

1. Start following the diet. To be honest, I've been on it a year and haven't found it to be difficult to follow. In fact, I've gained a few pounds because I can still eat white chocolate!

2. You can buy pyridium over the counter at any drug store. Usually, it's by the UTI/feminine products section. It does stain things, but for the relief it offers it's worth it.

3. Drink water!

4. When you're in constant pain, your body is releasing stress hormones that can really wreck havoc on your system. Ask your GP if he'll prescribe some anti-anxiety medication. Mine prescribed Paxil and Xanax (much to my shock, he's quite liberal about the Xanax!) and found that it really helps my bladder! It stops my spasms. There's no way I'll get addicted because if I take a whole tablet I fall sound asleep! I just take half of a .5 tablet and it works wonders.

5. Get some prelief or Tums. They help cut down on the acid in foods and can sooth that irritated bladder.

Hope this helps!

[Calli]

Originally posted by sms

This time it has been 5 weeks and it's been the worst pain yet. I have not been given any kind of medictation.

Why didn't you make clear to your Uro or home doc that you have unbearable pain and demand painkillers or a referral to a pain management specialist? Why are you so passive, love? *hugs*

[makeyourday]

My primary had guessed that I had IC even before I had been to the uro for the cystoscopy. So as soon as I heard that there could be a name with what was wrong with me, I was on a mission. When I found this website, I ordered the cookbook. That was soooo wonderful. Not just because it gave me guidence as to how and what to eat, but it made me feel like I could do something to help myself. I went through the food and spice lists I could find and I cleaned out my kitchen. I literally gave my friend a box of spices and salad dressings...I also got rid of all the frozen dinner items in the freezer.

The cook book is great though, I like how it explains how food affects us. I mean the obvious things are easy to understand, but there are things that are not IC friendly that I never would have guessed on my own. My reactions are not as quick as for some. Mine are more like the next day. So often I would have had maybe 3 meals and some snacks before I flare, and then trying to analyze what item it was out of all those.
Following a strict diet has certainly helped to isolate items. Like the bannana I ate some weeks ago. That still hurts. Yep, I am still talking about that darn bannana. I think I should give it a name, because I talk about it so much. Any suggestions?

[Calli]

Banana Nana? :D

[blue]

Sweetie, drink lot's of water and follow the IC diet. The diet makes a huge difference!

Also, try taking Benadryl when you go to bed. There is some relationship between mast cells and histamines. I'm sure someone else can explain it. Anyway, I take 2 Benadryl every night before I go to bed.

I wish you luck.

[sms]

Even though I'm not yet diagnosed, my uro gave me info on IC which included diet. I have been trying to modify my diet, getting the cookbook sounds like something that will help me. I missed worked yesterday because I was up all night the night before with flare. That day I ate lots of chocolate because I was stressed, that probably did me in.

I think I will try the benedryl and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks so much for all your advice. :dogrun:

[blue]

I'm just wondering how you are doing now? Have any of the suggestions helped?