Uro to do bladder & eurthra stretch???

[Jmeisnor]

Hi
Any thoughts on the above? The Uro that I went to (with all the prevailing symptoms that I have) has done a cysto, I had about 1,100 cc capacity awake, he did see some irritation, and wants to do these to help (?) me. He told me to take motrin for my pain. He says he does not think I have IC because his patients who have IC say they have pain when they "go", and I have pain all the time. I actually have about 5 seconds of relief just after I urinate, just before I stand up. I have urgency, frequency, pelvic pain, I can track it to foods, particularly stressful times in my life, I have migraines, negative cultures, many many UTIs for which I took so so many antibiotics...oh, I dont need to go on, do I...
An thoughts about these procedures? Seems like stretching my poor sore urethra any more (since I have no problem urinating) would only hurt me more.
I'm new, so I'm open to ideas, but do I have a Uro who maybe is not expereinced in IC?
Thank you in advance,
Jan

[ICNDonna]

It sounds like you are having some doubts about having the procedure done. I think for that reason alone, it would be a good idea for you to get a second opinion.

It is possible, but unusual, for an IC patient to have that much bladder capacity.

Have you had a urodynamics test? That will tell you if you have adequate muscle tone in your bladder.

You'll find information about diagnosis and treatments in the Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[Jmeisnor]

I realized after I posted all my complaints and ailments, that I misrepresented my bladder capacity. It had been 800 ccs awake. That's when the uro suggested IC, but didnt think that I should be in pain all the time, just when I urinated. I will get a second opinion. In the meantime, I am continuing with the helpful suggestions here. Does anyone see that bladder and urethra stretching is helpful for IC?

[kadi]

The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Dr. Moldwin, has a section on urethral dilations. It's too long for me to quote & I'm not sure I could paraphrase it well. I think the book is a worthwhile purchase for all IC patients (and I get no financial benefit from saying that--I just love having my copy!)

I also am a big fan of second opinions. My first doctor (after misdiagnosing me with endometriosis & refusing to treat me for nearly a month, ) wanted to use chlorpactin, which is an extremely painful treatment, on me in the diagnostic cysto/hydro. I am very glad I sought a second opinion & had huge improvement just by taking Elavil & going on the diet. And after I plateaued at that level, he referred me to another uro. who has given me DMSO cocktail treatments, which also have improved me further. Am hoping to get better still..

Don't let pain make you too desperate to check things out fully, especially if you are unsure!

[ICNDonna]

Normal, awake bladder capacity is about 500 cc's, but can be more --- that's about a pint.

I have had many hydrodistentions because it definitely eases my symptoms. When I was being diagnosed, I did have a series of urethral dilations, but haven't had any since then (1975).

Donna