hydro? has it helped frequency?

[gloriabono68]

My uro is contemplating me either doing the hydrodistention or interstim??
was wondering what hydrodistention has done for people who've had it.......how long does it last?? does it hurt??? etc............
she says its usually done more for people with alot of pain with their IC instead of the constant urgency/freqency that i have?
any thoughts would be appreciated...........
thanks
kristi

[ICNDonna]

I am scheduled for my 36th hydrodistention on July 28. This has been a major treatment for me since my diagnosis back in 1975 and the procedure eases my symptoms for anywhere from six months to 22 months. This time it has been a year since my last one.

I will spend one night in the hospital for a continuous irrigation and, if I respond as usual, will feel better the day after than I do right now.

I read somewhere that distention helps in about 50% of patients.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[gloriabono68]

Really?? thanks.........she keeps saying either that or the interstim.......and i am just not sure i am ready for either to be honest......
but somehow i think i would rather try the hydro instead first maybe.......
i am just afraid it will make my symptoms worse instead of better then where would i be ya know......
i just don't know........what to do anymore.......
but i am so tired of peeing all the time its all i do.........so recovery is fairly quick then.........
thanks for sharing.......i do appreciate it..........
kristi

[MAMASITA4]

Yes, I know I am "different" BUT the hydro makes my symptoms worse. I have had the hydro done twice...first time it was about 2 1/2 months of continued pain, urgency and frequency. The last one (done in March) I also had a urethral dilation. I had a urinary stricture removed prior to the first hydro so it may be that my continued symptoms after the hydro have a lot to do with the urethral issues!

Let us know what you decide, and whatever route you take, we hope and pray that you get relief!:pray:

[tigger_gal]

Kristi,
Didn't you have the hydro when you were dx'ed with IC?
Always keep in mind that the interstim is not for pain and you want to do this as a last result, it is a 2 part surgery. It dose help freq and urgency, but you want to do all other options possible first. Yes a hydro dose help many people. :) I just wasn't one of them :(



:kiss:
Brat

[Cate]

My main symptom is frequency. I had a cysto w/ hydro done a few years ago when I was diagnosed. My frequency actually increased for a few day following the procedure, then went back to baseline. Has your doctor suggested Elavil. That is the only thing that has significantly helped my frequency and its much less invasive than interstim.

Cate

[gloriabono68]

I had a cysto done but no distention...........he just looked at my bladder and said to me "yep looks just like one looks with IC" and i was like ok.....
I thought elavil was for pain? I rarely ever have any pain......mine is urgency and frequency and the constant almost non stop feeling of having to pee even after i pee.......the only time it gets better is when i take pencillian for like a sinsu infection or something.......so she put me of cephalex or something like that , one a night to try and see if it helps any and also hydroxine......to add to my already HUGE numbers of pills i already take.......
and before i had some kind of potassium sensitvity test for diagnosing my IC>......THey are definte now that i do indeed have it so now its just trying to find something that works.....
I have to have another test week after next and then the next week i talk to the doctor that does the interstim stuff.........so i will talk with him and see what he thinks.........i am hoping the new combinations of medicines will work and then i wont have to do anything ........
i am scared of surgery of any kind.........
i thank all of u so much for responding so quickly and being so honest.....it means the world to me.........
i will let everyone know when i know something else...........
thanks again
gloriabono

[ICNDonna]

You're the only one who can make this decision --- it's your body --- but if it's an option, I think I would go for the hydrodistention before the interstim. I know I get months of relief following a hydro. You might also be one of the lucky ones.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[gloriabono68]

Thanks for being so honest and open about it........she talked with me for about 40 minutes yesterday and she still thinks that me having so much frequency that the interstim is the way to go.
she has tried other treatments for almost two years now and nothing is really working.......
i take the maxed out limit on urelle and elmiron and ditrapan.....they cannot up any higher and its not really helping either. Now shes added cephalex at night and hyrdoxine........
just to try cause thats about the only left i havent tried to take for it.
we discussed in great length about the hydro and she says that usually only helps people with pain not frequency.........especially as much as i go.........
i have gotten somewhat better in the fact that i can go every 30 minutes most of the time now......somedays 60 minutes but she says that isnt good enough.........and i agree with that......i am just scared of having surgery.........never been in the hospital until i gave birth to my child 16 years ago.......thats been my only hopsital stay..........praise the lord i have been very very lucky in that respect.......
so i am still leary of any thing with the word surgery in it........i am a big ole scaredy cat........but i also know i cannot live like this much longer......its taking its toll.........
but i appreciate you sharing with me........thanks again........
kristi ( gloriabono)

[Marlana]

I am not an expert by any means, but I believe the hydroxine takes time to work as in a few months or more and maybe you should ask for the elavil. I hear it does help with urgency/frequency. Many a person has had luck with that. I wish you the best.