I've been coming to this site off and on for five years now. I've had times early on when I was really down and out and coming here has been a life saver.
I'm not going to make this long but as so many have experienced I spent a few years going undiagnosed. I had a hysterectomy when the doctor's thought possibly fibroids could be causing the pain. It wasn't the source of the pain but I'm glad I had the surgery. Three doctors did cystoscopies but it wasn't until I went to the fourth that did it under anesthesia with hydrodistention that I was able to get treatment.
I know everyone responds to different therapies but this is what I've found helpful. I take Elmiron, Cystoprotek, an Asacol pill a day and a stool softener. Recently I have been able to add the Ester C gummy vitamins. I have found that when my bowels are not working properly my bladder acts up and feels like it does not hold as much. The gastroenterologist has me taking the Asacol and stool softener. I am one that believes there is a connection between the bowel and the bladder. In addition, I watch my diet very closely and drink at least three 16 ounce bottles of Spring water a day.
As for the Elmiron I have found that I have to take four a day, two in the morning and two in the evening. I've had two non-related surgeries and have had to go off of the Elmiron. I tried twice to start back up with three and both times my symptoms were worse. I only mention this because if you are taking a small dose and not feeling any relief you may want to talk to your doctor about changing your dosage.
If I experience a headache or have a need for a pain reliever I can take Tylenol on occasion. When I've had other non related IC surgeries and have had to have pain relief I have found Tramadol to be helpful.
I still on occasion have a bad day here or there but for the most part I can function fairly well. I do use the bathroom a little more than most people but can forget about my bladder a lot of the time. I do still wish from time to time that I could go back to the good old days of actually being normal. I dream of the day that I can eat chocolate cake, have a glass of wine, eat buffalo chicken dip and strawberry pie.
I hope this can help some of you that are thinking your situation is hopeless. It's not!
I'm not going to make this long but as so many have experienced I spent a few years going undiagnosed. I had a hysterectomy when the doctor's thought possibly fibroids could be causing the pain. It wasn't the source of the pain but I'm glad I had the surgery. Three doctors did cystoscopies but it wasn't until I went to the fourth that did it under anesthesia with hydrodistention that I was able to get treatment.
I know everyone responds to different therapies but this is what I've found helpful. I take Elmiron, Cystoprotek, an Asacol pill a day and a stool softener. Recently I have been able to add the Ester C gummy vitamins. I have found that when my bowels are not working properly my bladder acts up and feels like it does not hold as much. The gastroenterologist has me taking the Asacol and stool softener. I am one that believes there is a connection between the bowel and the bladder. In addition, I watch my diet very closely and drink at least three 16 ounce bottles of Spring water a day.
As for the Elmiron I have found that I have to take four a day, two in the morning and two in the evening. I've had two non-related surgeries and have had to go off of the Elmiron. I tried twice to start back up with three and both times my symptoms were worse. I only mention this because if you are taking a small dose and not feeling any relief you may want to talk to your doctor about changing your dosage.
If I experience a headache or have a need for a pain reliever I can take Tylenol on occasion. When I've had other non related IC surgeries and have had to have pain relief I have found Tramadol to be helpful.
I still on occasion have a bad day here or there but for the most part I can function fairly well. I do use the bathroom a little more than most people but can forget about my bladder a lot of the time. I do still wish from time to time that I could go back to the good old days of actually being normal. I dream of the day that I can eat chocolate cake, have a glass of wine, eat buffalo chicken dip and strawberry pie.
I hope this can help some of you that are thinking your situation is hopeless. It's not!
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