Thanks for answering...more

[flower123]

Thanks to all who answered. I really appreciate it. In response to the question about the urethral dilation, I guess I didn't explain. I was having burning all the time. I did test positive with the dip stick for about 5 infections but when they'd culture it nothing would grow so they'd say no infection. I was so confused. In the midst of that there were times where I showed no infection. So I went to urol and he did the dilation be3cause I have PCOS and he said hormone imbalances can make the urethra get smaller. So he did the dilation (which was so painful I will never do that again even though they used lidocaine). I have had pain still off and on since then and been checked for infection 3 times since dilation (which was Dec) and no infection. I'm frustrated. Also, I'm scared they'll think I'm a hypochondriac or something because I keep saying I feel like I have an infection and then I don't.

[Dixiefireball]

i have had that surgery twise in my life time one when i was in grade school and one when i had my last hydo. it did seem to help.
alot of times people with ic will feel like they have an infection when they don't I'm a little diff then others when i feel like i have an infection I do. and need to be treated asap for it ends up in my kidneys I have an awful infection right now i'm trying to fight off. I wish you lots of luck please keep us posted on how you are doing i'm sending you a great big hug grouphug grouphug

[rachelm]

Rhonda,
I too have recurring UTI's in addition to my I.C. It took a while for the med. techs at my urol. to realize that when I said I was sure I had an inf. I was always right. I used to ignore the symptoms until I would run a 103 tem and have urinary bleeding visibal. I now catch it before it turns into the kidneys but it's important to get a culture to document true infections and I.C. flare symptoms. So even though I know when I have one I still go in for a culture.

Flower,
When a dr. that doesn't know I.C. does a dip on me it shows an elevation of blood and sometimes two or three other things. I have had positive dips and negative cultures because they don't realize that I always have elevated blood but now I know to look for lucicytes and especially nitrites. If the nitrites in the dip are elevated then it is definitely an infection. I'm amazed at how in tune I have become with my body and can tell within the first few hours of having an infection. My uro does a culture on me weekly so they are always surprised when I come out negative one day and call telling them I have an infection the next day. They instinctfully tell me that I've already had a recent culture and probably don't need another one but then they remember my history and sure enough it comes out positive. I wish you luck in getting treatment for your I.C. and urethral irritation.

Rachel