[NKC]

Hello all... I have several questions about IC and cystoscopy...
A little history first. Since as long as I can remember (about 12 years) I've been treated for UTI's. About 10 years ago I went through the gammett of tests, IVP, renal sonogram, pyelogram... All came back negative. Still being treated for UTI's for many years, even after seeing a urologist I was put on maintenence Macrodantin... It helped a little, but not enough.
I don't always have symptoms, as I just think I get reccurant UTI's .. sometimes I feel great, other times I sit on the toilet with water and cry. Well, over the past year I've had the best primary physician, EVER! She referred me to a Uro to rule out IC because my urine isn't growing bacteria. There has been bacteria present at the time of the UA, but it doesn't grow it in a culture, which is indicitive of a negative UTI If I visited her everytime I had symptoms I would be in the office once a month, but I only go when it's really unbearable. I have the typical symptoms... I seem to be known for my small bladder, I can't even get through a can of soda without pee'ing 4 times. I have urgency, burning, pain, and I've noticed a trend that it seems to present itself a week before mentration. I even feel like I have mentrual cramps all month long. Sometimes I can't sleep because I constantly urinate during the night (only when symptoms flare) Often times I don't even want to sit down because it hurts too bad and I would rather stand... I always have AZO on hand and there are few days out of the month that I don't take at least 2 a day.

SO, I saw the Uro and I am having a cystoscopy with hydrodistension tomorrow morning. I am really nervous and hesitant. I am afraid they will find nothing wrong, and this procedure will do nothing but make my urethra hurt for a few days and present me with a big medical bill. The clerk who scheduled the procedure said it will actually make me feel better?!
I just have so many unanswered questions... Could I really have IC is this worth it? Could anyone share their experience of the cystoscopy with hydrodistension? Did your show ulcers? If not, were you still diagnosed with IC. Did the cysto help?
Thanks ahead of time :-)

[UroDoc]

YOU certainly have the symptoms of IC.It is rare to see the ulcers but you don't need to see them to make the diagnosis of IC. We look for a small bladder capacity, terminal hematuria, and glomerilizations on the bladder lining. If you have IC the first 2 to 3 days your symptoms will be worse, but for many patients there symptoms get better for differnet periods of time. I have some patients that I hydrodistend every 3 months to a couple of times a year. Their relief lasts that long, however not everyone gets that long of as remission many people only get a week or so. You have nothing to lose and finding outy the right diagnosis is the only way to get the right treatment. Don't worry and good luck.

[NKC]

Thank you for your insight. My biggest concern is reading about the length of discomfort after the cysto. Some say it's a few days, some say a few months. I am getting married in 3 weeks and do NOT want to have symptoms during that time, even if they are caused from the cysto.
I plan to overhydrate myself afterwards to prevent urethral pain.

[UroDoc]

Congratulations on getting married, you should be fine by then. If you haven't tried the IC diet you should that may help.

[OABandIC]

when you said you couldn't get through a can of soda without peeing 4 times, and that you had a small badder, did that start before you were diagnosed with the UTIs? i have always had a very small bladder and can barely drink enough to stay hidrated, now i have other symptoms. i have been diagnosed with OAB and mst likely also have IC. i am just wondering if some people just have a small bladder and if medication can reduce some symptoms, but wo't help the fact that the bladder is small.

[UroDoc]

A small size bladder (poorly compliant)is usually due to inflammation, increased bladder muscle, and scaring. Medications can help with some of this, it would depend upon the cause and the duration of the problem.