Possibly Born with IC?

[Jeremy]

As a child, I could never control my bladder. I wet the bed almost every single night until I was about 12 or 13 and it slowly dwindled until I was 18. I think I've only had 2 or 3 accidents in bed as an adult. I continuously had bladder infections, urinary tract infections, etc. my entire childhood, but every doctor I went to just said that I was lazy and needed to stop drinking fluids so late at night(which didn't seem to stop the problem). <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[banghead]" />

As an adult, I continued to have urinary tract and bladder infections, but it really didn't seem to bother any other part of my life,until about 3 or 4 years ago. That's when the need to freqeuntly relieve myself and constant burn came about. I was diagnosed 3 years ago, but due to my lack or willingness to admit that I could not control the situation, I did not return to my urologist.

I have recently returned to my doctor due to my body falling deeper into problems; which include along with the previously mentioned problems, multiple urination streams and erectile problems. The latter is seriously affecting my marriage. My wife is very understanding. She realizes that my "problems" are medical, but she's frustrated that I have waited so long to actually do something about it.

I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm male that I haven't been able to admit that I need help. Whatever it is, I hope that I've overcome them and can continue to do the things that is best for me and my marriage.

Thank you for allowing me to share.

Jeremy <img src="graemlins/hat.gif" border="0" alt="[hat]" />

[Kara]

Jeremy,


I've had IC since I was born but did not know it until 4 years ago.


Kara <img src="graemlins/toilet.gif" border="0" alt="[toilet]" />

[Judith]

Jeremy, I have also had IC all my life.My mother even used to ask every pediatrician I went to why I urinated so much. They told her that because I was small in size then my bladder was small also. Little did they know! Of course this was back in the 60's and at that time only middle-aged women were diagnosed with IC. Judith <img src="graemlins/bunny.gif" border="0" alt="[bunny]" />

[Alyson]

I definitely believe we are born with IC. I, too, wet the bed all the time as a child. I was probably ten or so before I was able to control that. I can remember not being able to spend the night with friends because of the problem. I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone!
Hope you're all having a good night . . . Alyson

[Jo]

Jeremy: Here's another one that has had urinary problems all my life! For me the IC diagnosis was just a label for problems that have always been there, the problems just kept getting worse the older I got. I'm always amazed when those that suffer from IC can pinpoint a time when it all began due to external influences. I've felt like I lived in a private he** all by myself until I found this ICN forum and others that are walking the same path. Jo Ellen

[Sandy M]

I think bedwetting is a big symptom!!! I also wet the bed and dont think thats a coincidence!!!, Sandy

[jaime15]

When I was diagnosed with Ic a few years ago my uro told me I was born with it. He actually said that it was a birth defect that your bladder has little or lots of holes in the protective lining that's supposed to protect it from bacteria and such. Just wondered if anyone else was told this.
Jaime

[dyno]

I can honestly say I did not start having problems until my middle teenage years. I don't remember any trigger, I just started having problems. I am 44 now, and I wish I could remember more. I did not have bed wetting problems. I did have a very severe infection in my female organs and through out my pelvic cavity when I was 6. Whether that weakened an already genetically weak bladder, I don't know.
Jo

[Mal]

I guess I'm in the minority, here. I don't remember having any urinary problems as a child or as a teen. I never even had a UTI until the year I began showing symptoms for IC. My urinary problems began when I was going thru fertility treatments, IVF in particular. I remember the day, like it was yesterday, that my IC took a turn for the absolute worst. I didn't sleep a drop that night...instead I lay on the couch curled in a ball of pain with tears streaming down my face. A little over a year later I was diagnosed with IC by exclusion. That's after a laparoscopy, laparotomy w/pre-sacral neurectomy and many other tests and procedures. But hey, we finally figured out what was wrong and I am ever so thankful that it didn't take any longer or else I might have had a nervous breakdown. ~ Mal

[vm]

The only urinary problems I had as a child were bladder infections. My IC symptoms started in March of 2001 - 1 month after my second son was born by c-section....

[ICNDonna]

I'm another who never had problems as a child. I do have an extra, partially formed inactive kidney with a non-functioning ureter.

I developed IC after an abdominal hysterectomy. And I participated in an early study, which determined that many people do develop IC following a major abdominal surgery --- so I've always thought my IC was the result of what I now know was an unnecessary surgical procedure.

It's a puzzle, isn't it? Hopefully one day the cause will be found --- and the cure closely following.

Donna