Severe bladder pain after C-section

[AMatis]

Hi guys,
I posted yesterday for the first time, and no one has responded, so i decided a change in title may be helpful. I also would like to share my whole story. I was diagnosed with IC when I was 17 years old (8 years ago). Since then, I have been diagnosed with endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, PFD, Osteopenia, Peptic Ulcers, fibromyalgia, and migraines, among other things. I also delivered my first child via c section in July. Since then, I have terrible constant pain, which increases when I am emptying my bladder. I have always had pain with my IC but not to this severity. It all started when I was 29 weeks pregnant. I remember I was in so much pain that they put me on bed rest for fear that I may go into early labor. In the end, I didnt go into early labor and at 38 weeks I delivered my beautiful son and the other love of my life! He is completely worth all of the pain I have gone through, but I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced severe pain during or after pregnancy? I have had numerous bladder instillations, and a cystoscope/hydro since then (my sixth one), and the pain continues. I'm really hoping this isn't something that isn't going to go away becasue I would really, really like another child. At this point, though, I think adoption may be my only option.
I am currently taking effexor xr for depression, hydroxizine, flexeril, ultram for pain, butal for migraines, and birth control.

[MelindaP]

I am so sorry for all your pain! I actually got my IC right before I got pregnant (thru IVF) and I actually think mine is also very influenced by hormones. My bladder was basically inflammed for 9 months! It took a long while to calm down, but it did eventually. I think what helped the most was Nortryptline & Elmiron. The Elmiron takes awhile to work, but I think it does offer my bladder protection. For instance, I am in a low level flare now from something I ate (after being able to eat everything again for months)! but I am not having the awful bladder spasms. I hate those & I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. My symptoms are mostly urethral, tho just as maddening. When that was happeningI, I found that if I held my urine until my bladder was full, I did not have those spasms at the end. Also, 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in water 3-4 times a day helps. Also, Urelle (makes your urine turn blue) is AWESOME! You need to get a script from your uro for it but I HIGHLY recommend it. It was a lifesaver for me! I am also on BCP (loestrin24) continuously. I don't get a period & that helps keep my hormones even. I am so sorry you are in so much pain & I hope you find the right combo that gives you relief soon!
MelindaP

[sofirus]

Hello! I am so sorry for you being in so much pain I just wanted to say that you are not alone in this . I also had awful time during my pregnancy and this is the time when my symptoms became really bad . Now two years later I am not better , but I have tried almost every available treatment out there . Sometimes I also think about another baby , but I think this will be just to much for me . Actually I was pregnant again when my baby was 1 year old , but had spontanius abbortion at week 7. This second pregnancy was not planned and I cried a lot in the beginning but than I began to think about it as something good . And than BAm the baby was gone ! The thing is that we have RH problem , I am RH negative and my husband is RH positive so now is very possible my body has billed anti bodies against babies with positive RH. Now I am really scared to even think about another baby , first becouse of the all pain an urgency and second becouse of the fear that even if I become pregnant my body will reject the baby again and this will be to much of emotional stress that I can handle.
I really hope you find something to help you so you can be able to have another child

[AMatis]

Hey guys,
thanks so much for your input! I really appreciate it and it is very nice to know that I am not alone. Right now the only thing that is working for me is the flexeril and the ultram. Most of my problems are with pain. I can deal with the peeing and burning!! If i just didn't have the pain I feel like I could live a close to normal life. I have been on Elmiron, actually i have tried it two seperate times and both times I had no positive results. I just bruised a lot and lost my hair, which was not fun! I would also really like to have another baby, but at this point i just do not think that that is an option. I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I know if I went through that I would be absolutely devastated. I really hope that my symptoms ease up eventually. That would be really nice. Thank you guys for your input!!
Anne

[pookashell21]

Tried Other Pain Meds?

Hi,
I am so sorry you are in so much pain. Have you tried other pain meds besides Ultram? In my experience Ultram and other pseudo opiates like it did not even touch my IC pain, plus if you are on antidepressants there is a possibility of a serious drug interaction I believe. It's important to remember that everyone's body reacts differently to different meds, so it might be worth while to try some new pain medications to see if something works better. For me I am on a long acting narcotic which is released over a 24 hour period. I also have medicines for breakthrough pain. I am the same as you in that pain has always been my primary symptom, along with urgency and frequency, and burning and difficulty urinating. Talk to your doctor about maybe trying something stronger....it might just make the difference you need. Also keep in mind that different pain medications work for different types of pain. If I am ever in the hospital I ask to NOT receive morphine because it just does not work for me, instead I let them know that in the past Demerol and Dilaudid work the best for me and I usually have a much less frustrating experience. Knowing this information my pain doctor has me on a 24 hour 8mg Dulaudid pill called Exalgo which really helps me a ton! I was on the fentanyl patch for a long time but had way to many side effects and feel much better of Exalgo. Remember each person is different and narcotic pain meds are not for everyone. They work for me but you also have risks that go along with all medications you have to consider. Good Luck!

[bob04951]

So sorry such a joyous event has ended in such pain. And sorry for your loss as well, that is never easy. Some go in to remission during pregnancy, some get worse. You will see many stories. Suggest you read everyone's story, you may find one who is real similar and be able to relate. It is not uncommon for women (and men for that matter) to be diagnosed with many things before their IC DX, sometimes correctly, sometimes not. If all of that was going on with you, you are fortunate to have carried your beautiful baby to very near term. The only problem with opiates and do discuss this with your OB, is once or if you get pregnant again, how do you stop them, would the baby be addicted, etc. Important questions that only a professional can answer. Hope you find some relief, and give that young one a hug from all. Jill, wife of Bob

[AMatis]

Thanks for all of the information! Ultram is kind of sucky, but that is all my doctor will prescribe for me. I may end up having to see someone else. Also, my urologist, along with my family doctor, has assured me that I should not have any drug interactions. I think the one you are referring to is serotonin syndrome. I have read a lot about it, and I am pretty scared that it will happen, but they have told me not to worry. I am so afraid that if i get on anything strong it will affect my functioning and memory. I dont want to be drugged all the time while taking care of my son, but at the same time, I can't take care of him if i am in severe pain. Its a no-win situation. I don't know what else to do. I don't want to live my life in a daze. oh well, I guess it is what it is, and I just need to do what I have to in order to get by. I guess it just makes me sad. And also, about having another child and being on pain medications, I'd rather go through all the withdrawls and 9 months of pain and agony before even thinking about being on pain medications while pregnant. For my first pregnancy I wouldn't even take tylenol. I would take pyridium occasionally only when it was really, really bad, but I was afraid he would come out orange so i didn't take it very often. haha. If i get pregnant again, I would just stop taking everything. That is what I did with my son. It was a few weeks of hell, but he is healthy and happy today, and that is all I care about! I'm sure you understand. Bob, is it you or your husband that suffers with IC, if you don't mind me asking?
Anne