2 medical professionals mentioned IC

[pokey92252]

as far as i can remember ive always had bladder problems always having accidents and going more than everyone else.the bladder pain just started a few months ago.ive never been a well person always the one sick person everyone gets the flu or cold from.i go see the nurse practiconer i see who prescribes my antidepressants.from just talking to her she suggested it and an ob/gyn from an exam suggested it too.i see the urologist 5/2/07 so ill see what he says.im already on detrol la 4mg once a day.it does seem to help some.ive been diagnosed with chronic pain and overflow incontinece.ive tried explaining to my mom all of this but she just thinks i can do everything she can without any problem.wrong!i feel ill every day its hard for me to get out of bed because of the pain and how bad i feel.i was on vicodin but the doctor took me off of it because he thought i was just a drug seeker.it was really the only thing that semi helped the pain.i dont know what else to write.ive had chronic bladder infections.bladders been tested 2 times in the past 2 months no iinfection of bladder,kidneys,or my urinary tract.

[L. Thomas]

Hang in there. It's awful to have to wait when you are in pain. I hope the appointment next week will help find answers.

[Berkshire Road]

I'm so sorry that you've been suffering, and so angry on your behalf at the idiot doctor who stopped your pain meds when you needed them. This kind of thing has happened to a lot of us. If you do have IC (and it sounds like you may), please know that there are many treatment options. It may take time to find the right combination of treatments that works for you, but things will get better.

Some things you can do to prepare for your appt. with the uro: Start a pain diary and a voiding diary. Write down each day the amount of pain, type of pain (dull, stabbing, hot, etc.) and what you were doing when the pain started, stopped, or changed. Write down the number of times you pee in the daytime and in the night. You don't have many days left, but it can still be helpful to have something definite to show the doc, instead of saying, "I go to the bathroom all the time." Above all, STAY CALM while speaking with the doctor. Pain is a very emotional issue, but for some reason doctors tend to take people, especially women, less seriously if they express that emotion. And on that subject, if you have a male in your life (husband, boyfriend, father, brother, anyone) who could go with you, ask them. It's sad but true that doctors tend to take women patients more seriously if we have men with us. Last, if the doctor is disinclined to treat your pain directly, ask for a referral to a pain clinic. A lot of urologists are reluctant to prescribe opioids, but will send patients to pain management specialists.

Please check back and let us know how the visit goes. And never be afraid to ask any questions you may have, on this forum. We don't always have the answers but we try! In the meantime, you might as well start reading the Patient's Handbook, available on this site (look for the link at the top of the page).

Good luck to you.

[ICNDonna]

I hope you get some answers soon. I'm so sorry you are having such a difficult time.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna