How do you know it's your bladder?

[SFGirl]

I experience lots of different types of pain in my abdomen below my navel. It can feel like pressure, heavyness, sharp shooting pains, waves of pain, or a constant ache.

My question is, how do I know it's my bladder that is hurting? It's easy to tell if its my urethra thats burning or vulvodynia type pain ,etc. But how do you know it's the bladder? For these past two weeks I have had an increase of pain in the center of my abdomen right above the pubic area. But I can't tell if that's my bladder?

Also, what do bladder spasms feel like?

Thank you so much!

[Pammylynn8]

For me a bladder spasm feels like when I have to go the bathroom really really bad (urinate). But the feeling returns about 5-10 mins after I have gone. It feels like I ALWAYS have to go even it it's just a tiny bit. I am not sure about everyone else but those are my bladder spasms.

[rosechild12]

Normally my bladder pain is usually on my right side right by my right ovary. I have also had pain right above my pubic bone but usually that is from cramps. I will say everybody's pain is different and were your bladder is located depends on your weight and height but normally it's on your right side. However I would say right above your pelvis has more to do with your uterus. Which your uterus can have spasms and the like at different times in your cycle. I will say my woman issues have gotten worse because of the IC. When one part of your body is traumatized if you will then it can affect other areas around there. Also my bladder spasms feel like fetal movement to me except on my right side. I have been pregnant twice which is why I compare it to that but it can also be described as a feeling of your bladder flip flopping. It can cause more urgency and frequency but for me it's a strange sensation that then causes pelvic pain afterwards. Everyone is different and if your having pain you can't explain then I would either talk to my doctor or try to apply heat to the area and relax. Normally when I have pain there then it's a cramp and the heating pad always helps. It may not take away the pain but it helps. Also when I have bladder spasms it's my bodies way of saying I need to slow down and rest, but you need to listen to your body to figure out what different things mean for you. I have learned with IC that I really need to listen to my body and take cues from it.

Hope that helps,
Jessica

Meds I take
Elmiron 2 a day twice a day
Cymbalta 60mg
Lydocaine as needed
Orthro Evra Patch continuously because my period makes me flare
Tramadol as needed
Oxycodone as needed
Prosed DS as needed

I have had IC my whole life bit it got much worse when I was 16 but no one would diagnose me and I saw gynecologists, urologists, and pediatricians. They all said it was either in my head or a UTI. I finally found a wonderful doctor who diagnosed me with IC in April of 2011. I thank God everyday for this forum and my doctor.

[rosechild12]

Sorry about all of the typos I'm posting from my phone instead of my computer.

Jessica

[nineteenwinters]

My bladder spasms feel like someone's inside my body and shakes my bladder back and forth for like a second. This immediatly causes me to feel the need to urinate. You know myoclonic jerks? The ones where your body like twitches sometimes when you're falling asleep? It's totally like that only focused on my bladder.

[amy09]

Bladder spasms for me feel like a wave of a sudden strong urge to pee. Also, it feels like a very painful cramp at the end of urination. It sounds to me like you are definitely experiencing bladder pain because your bladder is located right under and a little above (when it's getting full) your pubic bone. I also get pains that radiate out from there to other parts of my abdomen. That's pretty common since there are tons of nerves in the pelvis and they tend to "cross-talk" with each other.

[ICNDonna]

I have described my bladder pain as being like an extremely severe, slightly misplaced menstrual cramp. There is the intense need to urinate as well.

Donna

[Toto]

My bladder spasms remind me of early pregnancy when the baby is moving. (it actually freaks me out because it's so frighteningly similar) To describe it another way, it's like a fluttering feeling and suddenly I'll have to urinate every five minutes (sometimes lasting up to hour or more). If I don't urinate immediately when I have to, then I am doubled over in pain. Also when I urinate it burns like crazy and makes me crazy.

[So Frustrated]

I really really need to figure this out too...PLEASE!!!

I've posted several times recently on the forum and am very thankful for the feedback I am able to get on here. I'm a male and this condition makes me feel much more isolated after seeing the majority of posts coming from women. I'm still appreciative of any feedback I can get since I only get a few minutes with the doctors and don't seem to get much relief.

All I really want to know is the source of my problem so I can focus on the right treatment. It would seem logical that my bladder would be the source since every time I have a couple ounces of fluid in my bladder I have pain and pressure/urgency in the penile urethra area. This subsides for a little while after I void. However no dietary changes make a difference. I think I could drink water for 3 straight days and nothing else and I would feel the same.

I have difficulty voiding though also (stop and start, weak stream, takes minutes to start and minutes to finish). I was told I have PFD. I'm wondering if my bladder is fine and that the minimal volume urgency could be caused by tight pelvic muscles that just won't let up or something else aside from the bladder itself.

I've tried numerous meds...Rapaflo, antibiotics, elmiron for a short period, enablex, antidepressants, valium, xanax, otc pain meds, stool softeners. Numerous therapies...pelvic floor pt, hot baths for weeks, heating pad, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic.

Had a cystoscopy with no findings. I have no retention.

I woke up with this one day out of the blue about 6 months ago and have been trying to find the source and treatment ever since. If I could just pee with a good strong flow and a large volume again and lengthy relief afterwards, I think my depression would lift immediately. Not knowing if I ever will again is what is really taking a toll on me.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[nineteenwinters]

If you stopped Elmiron because it 'wasn't working' it takes a while to start working (6 months to a year+). I am sorry other treatments aren't working for you. Have you tried Pyridium and/or drinking water with baking soda?

[So Frustrated]

Thanks. I only tried Elmiron for a couple weeks. I felt like I was getting even more depressed, but maybe just a coincidence. I think I may try again. I'm just kind of afraid it may work and I won't be able to afford it at $500/month if my insurance situation were to change. Right now it is covered for a small copay. I wanted to find a more affordable long term solution if possible, but I may have no choice and will have to wait as you said 6 months to a year to find out.

With the effects of Elmiron taking so long, how do people know if time wasn't the healer? This is another concern of mine. People may get better and think it's a med they are taking for life that isn't doing anything but causing side effects.

[nineteenwinters]

As it was explained to me the body is a much better healer than the Elmiron can be. So in answer to how you tell I think you can't totally. I am just using it addition to the diet to help speed up the process or really, really make sure I get my bladder lining back to normal. The plan for me (set by my doctor) is that he thinks we're going to heal my lining with the diet and Elmiron and then once that happens I won't have to take Elmiron any longer and I will just maintain the lining with no caffine/alcohol and limited ammounts of fast food and acidic foods. Also taking Prelief before any acidic food will greatly help.

I hear you about not wanting it to work because it's so expensive. Apparently there's a generic (look on the topic Elmiron Shortage) that is made in India and only sold there as well. I am still too chicken to try it as of yet but if I had to be on Elmiron for life I would certainly check it out. Hopefully that generic means others will start to show up soon and it won't cost us a buttload. I get mine from Canada for $120ish but that's still really expensive.

[So Frustrated]

Well that's a relief to hear that it may be possible for it to heal the bladder and then not need it anymore possibly. I just thought it's a lifetime med if it works. I guess if it does work, I can stop for a while to see if symptoms return in order to be sure it actually is the answer. Thanks again!!

[Pammylynn8]

good luck *so frustrated*! I hope you find relief from Elmiron! It is always good to try for a while right?

[So Frustrated]

Yeah I guess it can't hurt to give it a try since I didn't feel any side effects. I hope the increased depression was just coincidental. The nurse practitioner at my urologist office wrote for it at my request and was very enthusiastic sounding about how life changing it can be for those it works for even though the percentage is on the low side. However when the uro came in and it was brought up that I am trying it, he seemed very unenthused and said he wasn't a big Elmiron proponent. I asked him why and he said "because I've never seen it work". That really kind of ruined my day. Maybe he hasn't written for it much. Not really sure.