ic or not ??

[barb61]

I am new to this forum and I am so glad I have found a support group who understands. First of all I starting getting UTI's alot after menopause. I am now 61 and since I started my business last July I have been having alot of bladder problems. I am under alot of stress . I thought I was having UTI's but when urine was tested there was no bacteria but blood. I went to a urologist and he took tests for cancer cells in the bladder which was negative. He scoped me and said I had red blotting in my bladder and it was inflammation and put me on antibolics for 6 weeks. Then I had to go back again to get scoped again and the blotting was gone. He had everything was fine and just to come back in 6 month for follow up or sooner if I have any problems. I was fine for about 3 weeks and then I started feeling that little pressure and mild pain after urinating. It just is so uncomfortable feeling like you have to pee all the time. He said I don't have ic because people with ic are in alot of pain in their pelvis area. I don't have pain in my pelvis, just alot of pressure and mild pain after I pee. I don't have it all everytime I pee just sometime. I am very confused as what this might be. Things I eat and drink can make it worst. I started on cranberry tablets and probiotics and I drink alot of water. Any thing anyone can tell me would be helpful. I will be going back to him on April 6th. Need answers!!

[ICNDonna]

to the IC Network. Your doctor is wrong in stating that all IC patients have extreme pain --- we don't!

One thing you might do is to put yourself on an IC diet. You'll find the link to the latest food list in my signature below. Some people find the diet helps more than any other single thing.

I hope you get some answers soon; not knowing is awful.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[barb61]

Thanks Donna for the reply. I quess I am alittle confused about the pain that all the people with ic have. I have more pressure and sometimes alittle pain after I pee, but not everytime. It is almost like when I would start getting a uti but it doesn't get any worst. I don't know the different between ICand just cystitis. I wonder sometimes how hormones come into play as I am 61 and I never taken any. I feel like years of getting UTI's and having IBS has got me to where I am today, with this constant feeling of having to pee and just feeling tired and depressed all the time. I can't talk to anyone about it as they are tired of hearing me complain about it. I just have to act like I feel good all the time. I also wonder why antibiotic's make me feel better. But I can't stay on those forever. Just had to vent!:

[VickiB]

Hi Barb, welcome to the ICN!

I don't know if what you're experiencing is IC or not, but much of what you wrote is familiar to me. My IC started following a string of UTis. Eventually my urinalysis & cultures began coming back 'no bacteria present'.

My symptoms weren't constant. In hindsight, I believe my episodes were probably directly related to my diet at any given time. They still are today so diet remains my first defense in keeping the symptoms at bay.

I also noticed antibiotics made me feel better, but when I'd finish them I'd go right back to the same cycle of symptoms. Some have suggested that antibiotics have anti-inflammatory properties and perhaps that's why many of us feel better while taking them.

As Donna said, not all ICers have extreme pain. Actually it seems we can have various individual symptoms in a number of combination and intensities.

At the risk of typing a novel I wanted to add one more thing. Before I was diagnosed I began taking cranberry supplements thinking that had to be good! -It was a fix for anything bladder! But all that did was irritate my bladder further. If this is IC you're dealing with you should know that cranberries tend to be trouble!

Vicki

[Linda May]

stay on the ic diet not all icers have extreme pain, i would get a second opinion from a real well known uro. it sounds like you may have ic, the uro can do a test to be for sure; i would insist on it if i were you. if you do indeed have ic your uro can start you on a treatment plan. i wish you the best, let us know how things turn out.

[cmclien]

I agree and think a second opinion is in order. "Pain" can be expressed by many of us as just pressure and not outright pain. If you have mild IC you have no pain or very little pain (pressure). You can be diagnosed with IC without extreme pain. I have some links below on both the diet (good to start with and helps most people with IC) and new diagnosing standards.

[barb61]

thanks for the support

Thanks everyone for the support. I am very depressed today and feel so tired. Did Not get any sleep last night. But off to church and hope everyone has a good day.

[NickiPage]

Please don't feel alone!!!

Thanks Donna for the reply. I quess I am alittle confused about the pain that all the people with ic have. I have more pressure and sometimes alittle pain after I pee, but not everytime. It is almost like when I would start getting a uti but it doesn't get any worst. I don't know the different between ICand just cystitis. I wonder sometimes how hormones come into play as I am 61 and I never taken any. I feel like years of getting UTI's and having IBS has got me to where I am today, with this constant feeling of having to pee and just feeling tired and depressed all the time. I can't talk to anyone about it as they are tired of hearing me complain about it. I just have to act like I feel good all the time. I also wonder why antibiotic's make me feel better. But I can't stay on those forever. Just had to vent!:

I am really knew to this forum--just a day old actually! But I felt so alone before I came here because I was in a lot of pain and also so sick of saying I felt bad but I always am hurting. Don't be afraid to tell people that "I know you keep hearing me say it... but I am in a lot of pain at this moment and need to rest" or "I am very uncomfortable and need to back off" whatever you are doing at the time. I hate to do that too--but we also have to be honest with ourselves which includes giving ourselves a chance to rest when we need it. I have been in severe pain for several months now and myself so depressed I feel I will lose it because no one can give me any definite answers or quick solutions. But it has really helped me ALREADY to come to this forum and see just HOW MANY people out there DO CARE and have been there for me already!!!! So I hope this helps make you feel a little better too. Know that you are not alone and the doctors have to figure this out eventually. Do what they tell you. Ask more questions. See more doctors. Do whatever it takes to get better because you only have one life to live and we each deserve to live it without such overwhelming discomfort or pain. All the best to you! Nicki

[NickiPage]

Keep your chin up!

Thanks everyone for the support. I am very depressed today and feel so tired. Did Not get any sleep last night. But off to church and hope everyone has a good day.

We are here for you too! It is tough. I was ready to give up last night and just sat in front of this forum and saw all the people answering me one after another and it gave me new hope and courage. Read other's stories and it will help you like it helped me!!! Keep smiling!!!