In a flare that's lasted 2 weeks!

[LaurenEngland84]

After having more than a year with very little IC pain, it returned over Christmas and has lasted for more than 2 weeks, with pain on and off throughout the day.
I've not touched any foods that would've set it off, I've been taking Tums and drinking a ton of water. I'm also on the antibiotics Trimethroprim (one a night) for a month, as docs thought it was an infection at first.
Can a flare last this long? I just need some relief. I'm back at work after some time off and feeling miserable.
Can anyone help? Advice/tips/anything

I've also ordered some Prelief online so I will start using that.

x

[Erica1836]

Lauren, I often have flares that last that long (i'm in one now). I don't work so I'm not sure I'll be helpful with tips on that. When i used to work and was having a bad day I'd wear a thermacare heat pad and try to wear loose clothing if I could. Hope things get better!

[LaurenEngland84]

Thank you

Thank you Erica, I appreciate your response.
Do you know if those heat pads are available in the UK? Hope so.
Is your IC so bad you can't work? Sorry to pry but I really hope that's not the case. XX

[Linda May]

Ic

I had flare that lasted 3 weeks and had to have DMSO treatments again.
I have also had a flare to last a day or two from stress and sometimes throughout the day on and off. I think when I have those on and off ones it is due to stress so I try not to put my self in a stressful situation which is hard and difficult at times. I hope you feel better real soon and may the researchers find a cure soon.

[Jan S.]

I've had flares that have lasted for weeks. The primary symptom for me is pain. I also use Thermacare and there are some heat packs on this site that are little square pads that work. I'm never w/o my heating pad also. I wear thermacare to work and around and there's a heating pad always at my bedside and one at my desk at work! A few months ago I started working with my uro on instills I can do at home and it seems to have made a huge difference. I use lidocane and heprin. Sometimes I just the lidocane to help with the pain but do an instill with both once a month. I have to be careful to take a cipro 3 hours before instill as I tend to get UTIs easily and can avoid them with the cipro. Hugs to you as I know how painful and frustrating this can be.

[Erica1836]

I used to work, but got fired for missing too many days due to flares -- so right now the IC is keeping me from working. Hopefully after the interstim I'll be able to go back to work. And don't worry its not prying. After all we go through with doctors and stuff I'm come to be pretty open about stuff.

[amaranthe]

Yes, unfortunately, a flare can last that long. Even if you had an infection, lots of times that can set off a flare that lasts after the infection is gone. Something else too...there have been a few occasions that I felt like I had a UTI and went to the Dr. but it didnt show up. Then, a few days later, I went back to the Dr. again and they tested me again for a UTI and that time, it DID show up! So, it might be worthwhile to check again. (You might try calling and asking if you can drop off a sample or try the home UTI test strips.)

Another possibility is that you have an infection that is resistant to the antibiotic you are taking.

If however, this isnt an infection, but just a really bad flare, you might call and ask if your Dr. can give you a bladder instill, (if he/she does those.) Lots of ICers do them at home, (myself included.) I use Sodium Bicarb, Marcaine, and Heparin. But, when I get a really persistant flare that nothing is working on, I go to the Dr. and he does an instill like mine, except he adds a steriod, and sometimes he also instills an antibiotic. His instill almost always does the trick for me.

If you havent tried it already, I would ask for a r/x of Utira-C or Pyridium or something like that. My preference is Utira-C b/c it has lots of meds rolled into that one. It is a urinary anelgesic and antiseptic. It also contains an antispasmodic that helps with smooth muscle cramping/pain. It also helps with burning pain (like when you urinate), and helps inhibit bacterial growth by altering the bladder PH. It is really quite the wonder drug! Another plus is that Drs dont seem to mind r/xing it the way they do with narcotics, so you shouldnt have a problem getting your Dr. to r/x it for you.

I hope that you feel better soon! I know how rough infections and flares can be.

Sending hugs,
Amaranthe

[JeanAnn56]

My flare

Has been since September. i have good days and not so good days. Today is a not so good day.

I have been trying to figure out what makes it worse and what makes it better. So i am very careful of what I eat and drink. Had almond butter on Eziel bread yesterday, not a good idea...today I am eating very light and drinking lots of water and herbal tea. Took a hot bath and am trying to relax thru this.

I was in remission for about 2 years...then this year i went thru 3 operations, and dental work. i had 6 sinus infections. After my last round of antibiotics the IC flare came and has been here since. Thats 5 months!!!!! YES....so be grateful you are only in it a few weeks. This one is different.

I was crying this morning....because of the pain...I am feeling better now..I think the cry helped.

Love you guys...hope you are all out of pain....

Jean ann

[Flowerchild]

Yes me too, I'm in the 4th week now. had an instill yesterday of lidocaine & sodium bicarb. Now I'm flaring worse. What the heck? It felt great for the moment but not nowI go back in 2 days, then 2 more times each week for the next two weeks. Hmmm...it may not work out. I called and asked for Kenolog to be put in the solution since I use it for nasal irrigation and it works nicely for sinus inflammtion. I too have severe problems with preservatives ans such. I wonder if there are preservatives in the instill solution?
I hope we all go in remission soon.