anxious about IC

[bronwen]

Hey everyone. I hope someone can give me some advice. I am 23 years old and a peace corps volunteer serving overseas. I have had a history of utis throughout highschool and college, though my last few "infections" in college showed no bacteria. but antibiotics always cleared up the symptoms. since i have been in the peace corps i have had some more "infections" with either really low or nonexistent bacterial counts. several times there was blood in my urine. i had an ultrasound that showed no abnormalities though i couldnt void entirely on the first try. i went home in april for a family emergency and was referred to a uro since i was only going to be home with access to one for a month. I was having symptoms at the time (with blood and everything, some of my worst, though i was also under a lot of stress) and he gave me pyridium and antibiotics, which cleared it up but declined to do a cysto. i had seen IC on the internet and mentioned it but he didnt seem to consider it a possibility. now i am back abroad and though i havent had any pain since april i have had bouts where i feel like i have to pee all the time. many many times a day. the latest one has lasted a whole month. i think about it all the time and am terrified its ic. but there isnt the pain i used to get of UTI symptoms. my nurse here is helpful but there is no renal/uro specialist in the country and noone has heard of ic or can tell me anything about it. im stressed out and scared. can anyone give me any advice? i know it wont replace medical advice but just to talk to someone who knows something abouth these symptoms... thanks so much!
bronwen

[ICNDonna]

If you think there's any possibility you have IC, one thing you can do is to go to the patient handbook at http://www.ic-network.com and look at the information there. If you still feel it might be IC, my best suggestion would be to follow the IC diet to see if it helps. Also, it's important to drink an adequate amount of water. Also, sometimes antacids, such as Tums, helps.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[MarthaF]

Bronwen,

I just sent you a private message.

Martha F

[tigger_gal]

Bronwen,
I was wondering why you declined a cysto? I was dx'ed in the hospital thru a cysto and hydro. I hope you do not have IC but I am glad you found this website, you will find a wealth of info on here, and any questions you may have we can try to help thru our own experiences, like you said its good to get some info and talk knowing its not medical addvice
Brat

[bronwen]

Thanks. Actually I wanted a cystoscopy, it was the uro who didn't think my symptoms warranted doing it. And I can't tell if my symptoms warrant pushing for more attention now. I only have 6 months or so to go before my service is complete and I will return to the US and I plan to investigate the options more there... but until then I am at a loss and very stressed. Is it common to have only frequency as a symptom? are there other things this could be? Im afraid Im being a hypochondriac.
bronwen

[ICNJess]

Hi there!

What are all your symptoms? Just frequency? I know mine just started out as frequency and urgency. (By the way, you are not a hypochondriac!)

It could be Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, it could be IC, it could be a lot of things. Good luck, if you'd like to chat you can PM me through the site

Hugs and love,
Jess

[auntiedeb]

Hi, do you have frequency and urgency and pain? I want to welcome you to the site. There is alot of support and love and cariing. I suggest that you find another uro who knows about ic andis willing to help you find out what is going on with your bladder. I have had ic since 1985 and had a couple of remissons and now my ic is back full force and painful. I will be praying for you. Please let us know how you are doing and keep posting. sending gentle hugs and healing thoughts. grouphug grouphug