Hi guys! Well, I thought I'd come on and add my story to the list. I've been having problems for 9 years--since I was in 8th grade. This summer, I had another, as I know to be now, flare up--horrible one. Once again--I got antibiotics. When they didn't work--as usual--she'd give me a different one and tell me I had an antibiotic resistant UTI. I asked her if it was normal for someone my age to be experiencing this. Get this--she said YES! Well, at 21, I knew better--I'd had it. I went to the urologist, who said it was NOT normal!!!! After many agonizing tests involving catheters--if I never see one again, it'll be too soon--he said I have interstitial cystitis. I've been taking elmiron and haven't had a flare up since. Also, my roommate and best friend's brother had been having a lot of the classic IC symptoms. After I was diagnosed with this, I told her brother that he had to see my urologist--sure enough, he has it too. It made me feel good that I could help him figure it out. It is horrible for me to think of when I was 14, visiting my dad (my parents are divorced) and my family in NY (I live in NC). I now can tell that my IC is definately stress responsive. I would constantly feel as though I had to go to the bathroom; it was the worst right after I would go. Only you guys can know what it feels like--it is that unexplainable, not pain, but horrible feeling, the urgency. My Urologist informed me that my bladder has shrunk as a result of my IC--something I readily notice when I am the one in the car always shouting for a bathroom stop. It's really embarassing when you are 21. One of my friends was like: gosh, you go to the bathroom so much! Thanks, I know that! You know? At least my medicing is helping. Also, I drink mostly water now--which I believe has really helped me. I am very angry at my primary care physician. Do you guys think I should say something? I've had her since I was 7, and I am going to stay at the same clinic. However, I refuse to see her anymore. She should have NEVER told me what I was experiencing was normal. When I told the urologist everything, he was flabbergasted (mouthe wide open--no lie) that she had told me that! She is the type that doesn't refer--she thinks she can handle it all. Well, thank you to anyone who has stuck with this posting this long. I hope that you guys find relief. My heart goes out to you who have severe pain--I have been blessed to have this only on rare occasions, though the urgency/frequency is not lovely either. Thank you!
~Jessica
~Jessica
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