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Still in the early stages of testing and the process of elimination to narrow down the culprit of my symptoms, I figure I may as well get educated on the diagnosis that appears to be in my very near future.
To make a long story shorter, I've put together a "timeline" below, of events leading up to where I am now:
May 2009: Annual physical. Doc "says" I have a sinus infection. Stuffy nosed, but not convinced I had an infection, I reluctantly filled the Rx for the ABT (anitibiotic) as I had had a really bad sinus & double ear infection just months before and was all to clear on how that felt and wasn't willing to risk it.
End of May 2009: ABT caused a yeast infection, back to the Dr. to get Rx for antifungal. She checks my sinuses, says they're still "green" and prescribes another round of ABT's to go with the anitfungal.
June 2009: 3 days into new ABT, depsite having had this med before, I begin having SEVERE stomach cramps. Certain something has ruptured in my abdomen, I go to the ER. They perform all grades of tests including a CT scan with contrast/dye. However, before administering the dye, the nurse gives me a syringe of Solumedrol in my IV to prevent an allergic reaction to the dye (they weren't convinced I wasn't having an allergic reaction othe ABT I had been taking for the 3 days prior, thus the immunity reducing drug was a precaution) So after I had been on ABT's for two weeks, they reduced my immune response with the Solumedrol. Turns out the stomach pain was a side affect of the ABT.
June 2009: Symptoms begin: It started with what appeared to be a yeast infection, which was totally expected after what my body has just been through. Yeast infection turned bacterial vaginosis (BV). Cleared both infections and then the vaginal itching began despite popping anitfungals like candy as prescribed by my physician.
Late July 2009: After nearly 6 weeks of fatigue, malaise, and itching, "the burn" settled in one morning after I pee'd. I immediately drove myself to my Dr.'s office and demanded a U/A, Pap test, blood work, etc. For 6 weeks I had felt like crap and she never once suggested testing my urine. (I've since changed docs) It never dawned on me that it could be a UTI since I was a month shy of turning 35 and had never had one before. I assume that because of the immuno supressing drugs administered prior to the CT scan that my body just didn't react to the "bacteria" as quickly as it normally would have and to further complicate things, I didn't have classic UTI symptoms. Itching was my main symptom until the burn made it more obvious. Anway, my U/A came back abnormal that day and I started yet more ABT's. The kicker: the culture came back negative and I've been doing this ever since.
Spring 2010: My doc says there is research to support the idea that the dyes used for CT scans cause harm to the bladder lining. With that knowledge and trace amounts of blood in my urine, it earns me a trip to a Uro. He does a U/A & confirms the blood. Orders a pelvic MRI, negative. Next U/A in his office is normal & he then doesn't believe further evaluation is necessary. Never gives me a "reason" for my symptoms. I get the feeling he thinks it was just a fluke test or temporary irritation, but he wanted to refer me to a nutritionist? I didn't understand the whole nutritionist thing then, but I get it now.
Spring 2010-Now: Off and on visits to my primary Dr. for "UTI's" Always the same story, abnormal u/a in the office; culture negative. Although last Friday they did a micro u/a and I had white blood cells and blood in my urine as well as the Ph was 6.0, which is somewhat acidic. Albeit, the office u/a showed bacteria, the micro u/a was negative for bacteria. Went for a pelvic/vaginal ultrasound on Wednesday & am waiting on the results of that. If negative, I'm thinking she'll send me back to the Uro for a cystoscopy. We're incorporating my annual check up into this as an opportunity to do a pap/pelvic exam, blood work, etc, which will help the process of elimination. I started the IC diet on Sunday and feel much better, although my symptoms are not as extreme as some others here have to bare, but it is helping. I've noticed with my menstrual period having started, I don't have hardly any of my typical symptoms, which is a relief. Only problem is it's harder to stick to the IC diet when you feel good!
Thus begins my journey....
Stacy
To make a long story shorter, I've put together a "timeline" below, of events leading up to where I am now:
May 2009: Annual physical. Doc "says" I have a sinus infection. Stuffy nosed, but not convinced I had an infection, I reluctantly filled the Rx for the ABT (anitibiotic) as I had had a really bad sinus & double ear infection just months before and was all to clear on how that felt and wasn't willing to risk it.
End of May 2009: ABT caused a yeast infection, back to the Dr. to get Rx for antifungal. She checks my sinuses, says they're still "green" and prescribes another round of ABT's to go with the anitfungal.
June 2009: 3 days into new ABT, depsite having had this med before, I begin having SEVERE stomach cramps. Certain something has ruptured in my abdomen, I go to the ER. They perform all grades of tests including a CT scan with contrast/dye. However, before administering the dye, the nurse gives me a syringe of Solumedrol in my IV to prevent an allergic reaction to the dye (they weren't convinced I wasn't having an allergic reaction othe ABT I had been taking for the 3 days prior, thus the immunity reducing drug was a precaution) So after I had been on ABT's for two weeks, they reduced my immune response with the Solumedrol. Turns out the stomach pain was a side affect of the ABT.
June 2009: Symptoms begin: It started with what appeared to be a yeast infection, which was totally expected after what my body has just been through. Yeast infection turned bacterial vaginosis (BV). Cleared both infections and then the vaginal itching began despite popping anitfungals like candy as prescribed by my physician.
Late July 2009: After nearly 6 weeks of fatigue, malaise, and itching, "the burn" settled in one morning after I pee'd. I immediately drove myself to my Dr.'s office and demanded a U/A, Pap test, blood work, etc. For 6 weeks I had felt like crap and she never once suggested testing my urine. (I've since changed docs) It never dawned on me that it could be a UTI since I was a month shy of turning 35 and had never had one before. I assume that because of the immuno supressing drugs administered prior to the CT scan that my body just didn't react to the "bacteria" as quickly as it normally would have and to further complicate things, I didn't have classic UTI symptoms. Itching was my main symptom until the burn made it more obvious. Anway, my U/A came back abnormal that day and I started yet more ABT's. The kicker: the culture came back negative and I've been doing this ever since.
Spring 2010: My doc says there is research to support the idea that the dyes used for CT scans cause harm to the bladder lining. With that knowledge and trace amounts of blood in my urine, it earns me a trip to a Uro. He does a U/A & confirms the blood. Orders a pelvic MRI, negative. Next U/A in his office is normal & he then doesn't believe further evaluation is necessary. Never gives me a "reason" for my symptoms. I get the feeling he thinks it was just a fluke test or temporary irritation, but he wanted to refer me to a nutritionist? I didn't understand the whole nutritionist thing then, but I get it now.
Spring 2010-Now: Off and on visits to my primary Dr. for "UTI's" Always the same story, abnormal u/a in the office; culture negative. Although last Friday they did a micro u/a and I had white blood cells and blood in my urine as well as the Ph was 6.0, which is somewhat acidic. Albeit, the office u/a showed bacteria, the micro u/a was negative for bacteria. Went for a pelvic/vaginal ultrasound on Wednesday & am waiting on the results of that. If negative, I'm thinking she'll send me back to the Uro for a cystoscopy. We're incorporating my annual check up into this as an opportunity to do a pap/pelvic exam, blood work, etc, which will help the process of elimination. I started the IC diet on Sunday and feel much better, although my symptoms are not as extreme as some others here have to bare, but it is helping. I've noticed with my menstrual period having started, I don't have hardly any of my typical symptoms, which is a relief. Only problem is it's harder to stick to the IC diet when you feel good!
Thus begins my journey....
Stacy
Anyways, I have found a few things that help so far, so I hope you get some answers soon!
I just want people who are new to know that IT CAN get better, and for every one person who is suffering, there are hundreds of others who feel GREAT because they have control of thier IC. 
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