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Recently Diagnosed with IC & Confused
From what I've read from others, I'm apparently fortunate that I was diagnosed within about 1 year of symptoms starting. Before going too far, I must let you know that I'm 55 yrs. old and had a hysterectomy 20 years ago (ovaries were left, though). I started complaining to my family physician about a year ago of pelvic pressure/pain. At the time of my annual "well woman" exam, the PA said that my bladder had fallen a little bit and perhaps that was what was causing the pain. She recommended that I see a gynecologist. A couple months later when I finally had an appt. with the gynecologist he listened to my complaints and then said very smugly "Well, yes, you're bladder has fallen a little bit, but it shouldn't be causing the pain you say it is". The tone of his voice was maddening. 
So, I decided that I needed to find a female gynecologist as I knew she would know what I was trying to describe. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about....it felt like when you first start your period and everything feels like it's going to fall out...just a constant, gnawing pain. Plus, I bloat up and look like I'm 8 months pregnant. Well, I made an appt. with a female gynecologist and waited for another 2 months. On the day of the appt. her office called and cancelled my appt. because she was sick and then was going on vacation for 2 weeks! I was completely stressed out by this point as the pain was pretty much daily now and I had done a lot of research on the internet. As I self-diagnosed myself from readings, I was now scared that I had ovarian cancer as it seemed I had all the symptoms. PLUS, we were going on vacation the next day. Sooooo, out of desperation they gave me an appt. with one of her collegues, another man. Not to sound like I'm bashing men, but how can they possibly understand what you're describing?! He reassured me that I didn't have ovarian cancer & scheduled me for a CT scan after vacation. The CT scan appeared to show diverticulitis. So, I then had a colonoscopy. I did have diverticulitis and was put on 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks. However, the pressure/pain did not diminish. The gastroenterologist suggested that I see a general surgeon for possible exploratory surgery. So, I made an appt. w/surgeon. He wanted a barium enema done. Afterwards he asked me what I was scared of, i.e., cancer, surgery, etc....I thought about his question for a few seconds and said that what scared me the most was living this way the rest of my life. He suggested getting an antidepressant and said that before any exploratory surgery was done he wanted me to see a friend of his. So, he made an appt. for me with a Urogynecologist (didn't know there was such a thing!) He diagnosed me with IC, although he said he doesn't want to officially put that on my record yet, as he said once it's on your medical record it's with you forever. He also said the pelvic floor muscles are spasming. I'm now on Elmiron (have been on it for about a month) & Elavil. I also have physical therapy every 2 weeks and do the Kegle (sp?) exercises. I'm willing to try any and everything suggested, BUT here's what perplexes me at the moment.....everyone seems to have painful urination. I do not. Yes, I do have to visit the restroom a lot (didn't realize how often I go until I really started to think about it) but it is NOT painful to go. Also, does anyone out there have the pelvic pressure/pain? I also have pain on both sides of my abdomen & I know this sounds crazy, but the last couple of days I've been getting very sharp pains from the belly button down. I can feel what I think is the urethra. Working is becoming harder and harder as it's hard to sit behind a computer all day. Some days I can hardly get in & out of my car. I spend many nights crashed on the couch with a heating pad on my abdomen & a pain pill. Well, sorry to rattle on for so long, but I am curious if there's anyone out there with IC that doesn't have painful urination. It makes me wonder if I do indeed have IC?! 
Thanks ahead of time to anyone who responds to this. Eileen
So, I decided that I needed to find a female gynecologist as I knew she would know what I was trying to describe. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about....it felt like when you first start your period and everything feels like it's going to fall out...just a constant, gnawing pain. Plus, I bloat up and look like I'm 8 months pregnant. Well, I made an appt. with a female gynecologist and waited for another 2 months. On the day of the appt. her office called and cancelled my appt. because she was sick and then was going on vacation for 2 weeks! I was completely stressed out by this point as the pain was pretty much daily now and I had done a lot of research on the internet. As I self-diagnosed myself from readings, I was now scared that I had ovarian cancer as it seemed I had all the symptoms. PLUS, we were going on vacation the next day. Sooooo, out of desperation they gave me an appt. with one of her collegues, another man. Not to sound like I'm bashing men, but how can they possibly understand what you're describing?! He reassured me that I didn't have ovarian cancer & scheduled me for a CT scan after vacation. The CT scan appeared to show diverticulitis. So, I then had a colonoscopy. I did have diverticulitis and was put on 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks. However, the pressure/pain did not diminish. The gastroenterologist suggested that I see a general surgeon for possible exploratory surgery. So, I made an appt. w/surgeon. He wanted a barium enema done. Afterwards he asked me what I was scared of, i.e., cancer, surgery, etc....I thought about his question for a few seconds and said that what scared me the most was living this way the rest of my life. He suggested getting an antidepressant and said that before any exploratory surgery was done he wanted me to see a friend of his. So, he made an appt. for me with a Urogynecologist (didn't know there was such a thing!) He diagnosed me with IC, although he said he doesn't want to officially put that on my record yet, as he said once it's on your medical record it's with you forever. He also said the pelvic floor muscles are spasming. I'm now on Elmiron (have been on it for about a month) & Elavil. I also have physical therapy every 2 weeks and do the Kegle (sp?) exercises. I'm willing to try any and everything suggested, BUT here's what perplexes me at the moment.....everyone seems to have painful urination. I do not. Yes, I do have to visit the restroom a lot (didn't realize how often I go until I really started to think about it) but it is NOT painful to go. Also, does anyone out there have the pelvic pressure/pain? I also have pain on both sides of my abdomen & I know this sounds crazy, but the last couple of days I've been getting very sharp pains from the belly button down. I can feel what I think is the urethra. Working is becoming harder and harder as it's hard to sit behind a computer all day. Some days I can hardly get in & out of my car. I spend many nights crashed on the couch with a heating pad on my abdomen & a pain pill. Well, sorry to rattle on for so long, but I am curious if there's anyone out there with IC that doesn't have painful urination. It makes me wonder if I do indeed have IC?! Thanks ahead of time to anyone who responds to this. Eileen
sorry I go on an on in my responses LOL I can never seem to give a simple answer!
me too ...no burning when peeing ...except when uti or first morning urine when I go lay back down and my bladder is flat against itself.YOOOWWW!! I will tell tho, I have horrible burning and pain in my urethra during instils...and I DO have ic. So it goes to show ya that were all different but have commonalities pelvic pain, urgency etc. So hang in there girl, and keep on going til you get the relief you need 
[/Had some kind of bladder surgery at age 8. Severe frequency since a child. Diagnosed with ic in 2000.
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