Interstitial Cystitis

[livingwith]

12/24/07,
Let me begin by telling you that I am 57 years old and have had IC for about 20 years, if not more.
It started slowly with strange feelings, like tingling, but very seldom. I was about 30+ years old at the time when these symptoms started.
I saw a large ad in the local newspapers some years back asking if “you” have incontinence, he’s the one to see.
I have described my symptons to so many doctors through the years but they probably felt I was too young to have t...Read the full article

[joeyshadow]

IM SO GLAD THAT YOU HAVE RELIEF BUT IT IS NOT A CURE,THE MEDS THAT YOU ARE ON GAVE YOU RELIEF,IT MAY HELP FOR NOW AND FOR EVER BECAUSE EVERY ONE WITH IC IS DIFFERENT.I HAVE IC AND ITS BEEN 18 YEARS . I HAVE TRYED MANY DIFFERENT TREATMENTS AND MEDS INCLUDING ELMIRON AND DETROL. ELMIRON COATS YOUR BLADDER AND DETROL HELPS WITH LEAKAGE . BOTH MEDS MAKE ME SICK BUT IM GLAD THAT IT REALLY WORKS FOR YOU BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WITH IC DONT GET THAT LUCKY.
D.M.S.O AND DISTENTION HELP FOR SOME PEOPLE AND SOME PEOPLE FIND IT VERY PAINFUL [ MY SELF INCLUDED] AND IT JUST DONT WORK.PERSONILY NONE OF THE TREATMENTS HAVE HELPED ME . I HAVE BLADDER SPASM PAIN ALL THE TIME AND PAIN MEDS ARE THE ONLY THING THAT MAKE THE PAIN BAREABLE BUT THEY HAVE BOTOX FOR THE BLADDER THAT IM GOING TO TRY PLUS IM ON A IC DIET WHICH HAS NO EFFECT.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MEDS AND I HOPE THEY KEEP WORKING FOR YOU.

[kichikoi]

I was glad to see your comments, since I am thinking this might be what I'm experiencing at 51.
I'm going to the urologist tomorrow for a cystoscope, after my new OBGYN feels he needed to refer me to a urologist to see inside the bladder for the pressure and discomfort I'm experiencing. Of course I've had my share of UTIs or bladder infections over the years...and this week was no different...was put on Macrobid, but symptoms still haven't abated; actually feel even worse today. The pressure and need to go are relentless, even after voiding. I've described this feeling to my old OBGYN a few years back, and they too always simply said "but your urine culture is coming back negative." Well, then, why the pressure? It is draining on me physically at this point...I'm on no medication - I'm pretty holistic across the board...so the knowledge that this might be uncureable and need pharmaceuticals isn't thrilling. Yet your comments seem to be the brightest for relief. Will keep you posted. Jean

[joeyshadow]

I HOPE YOU GET A GOOD URO AND HE HELPS YOU WITH YOUR PAIN AND HERES HOPING THAT YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING HOLISTIC TO HELP. I.C PAIN CAN REALLY TAKE A HOLD OF YOUR LIFE BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR ON THE RIGHT ROAD . LET ME KNOW HOW THINGS GO . KIM

[kichikoi]

Kim:
Thanks for responding. You might have seen my recent replies in this section, but long story short:

Went to same uro my hubby has gone to for 3 mos for BPH, prostatitis...his biopsies came out negative but they're giving him a cystoscope Monday and now me as well - two-for-one discount he said! LOL (I was to uncomfortable first exam)
So he put me on stronger antibiotic, sent me for more urine culture & bloodwork today.
Going for CAT scan tues to rule out stones, etc.

he knows I prefer holistic approaches, so we'll have to work together....but he seems to take the typical protocol...slow to diagnose, but thorough

he believes being in menopause is contributing to it, even with bio-identical hormones for the last almost 2 months...

will keep you posted once I know what it truly is.

thanks again, Jean