In a flare with different symptoms ...

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I have had IC since my mid 30s and I'm in my mid 50s now. Menopause has made my IC worse. I have been in a flare since July 4, despite using the IC diet and taking Azo Go Less. (I used to use aloe vera tablets in the past, but they don't seem to work anymore. One month of Cysto Mend didn't seem to help either.) I don't have a urologist currently. I live in a rural state and have never been able to see the same urologist twice as they either retire or move away. I am not having a lot of bladder pain or any pain urinating. What I am having a lot of is urgency, even after I've just voided. It's better if I drink at least 80 ounces of water a day, then at least when I have to go, I have something to void. Is this a common IC symptom? (My first urologist who diagnosed my IC after a cystoscopy, ruled out overactive bladder.) My last urologist said I should try Myrbetriq for the urgency, but the list of possible side effects scared me off. Any suggestions? The constant sense of having to go makes me very, very unhappy.

[anabelle]

I too presented with a lot of urgency among other issues. I tried Myrbetriq for nearly a year started by my primary care. I didn't notice any effects good or bad. While it was worth trying, I suppose, my gyn was wrong to advise me to continue it for so long. Are you using vaginal estrogen cream? It definitely helped me and I've since switched to a vaginal ring for convenience. The other thing that I started more recently and might be helping is glucosamine. I am seeing a urologist now. Sorry they are so few and far between rurally. Hope you find something that helps.

[ICNDonna]

If there's currently a urologist in your area, you might want to telephone the office and ask if IC is treated there. Another option is to check in with your gynecologist since hormone changes can have an effect on IC symptoms.


Donna

[poolpet]

Very sorry you are having this urgency. My IC went into high gear when I started menopause. Found I had to be religious with the IC Diet. Also, I started to use Estradiol cream and it made me flare. So it I researched and found Estriol was a gentler alternative. So I found a compounding pharmacy and had natural Estriol put into coconut suppositories and that has helped very much. Maybe this would help.

[ICNDonna]

Very sorry you are having this urgency. My IC went into high gear when I started menopause. Found I had to be religious with the IC Diet. Also, I started to use Estradiol cream and it made me flare. So it I researched and found Estriol was a gentler alternative. So I found a compounding pharmacy and had natural Estriol put into coconut suppositories and that has helped very much. Maybe this would help.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Warm hugs,
Donna