New To IC

[Shirl]

I was being treated for what I thought was UTI's for almost 3 years until my doctor told me I had IC in Nov. 2006. Prior to November, I was getting flare ups and even though my urine cultures always came back negative, I was treated with a percription of antibiotics. Looking back, I'm confused as to why the antibiotics actually relieved all my "IC" symtoms considering the fact that I never really had a UTI.

[Roxie2007]

HI! Welcome!
When I have flare ups I still take Cipro 500mg for a few days to get over it. I go to an IC specialist and he told me that some people respond to antibiotics for flares and some don't. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.....if it helps you I'd say you are a lucky one also!
I'm sorry that you have IC but at least now you know. Have you tried the IC diet? It really helps. Are you on any bladder meds yet? Elmiron, Elavil, Azo??
Write if you need to chat with someone.......we're all here often. Roxie

[Shirl]

Thanks so much! I have been on Elmiron since Nov. (3x's a day), I was taking Cipro & Macro prior to the Elmiron and had very positive results with both. I've had a flare up for the last 4 days, not sure why. This is only my second one since November 2006. I've eliminated all the "most common" foods/drinks that are linked to IC.

[leelee88]

Hello and

The IC patient handbook has alot of good info in it..
Heres the link

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/

If you need anything just ask

[Katrina]

to the ICN I went through many years with the diagnosis of reacurring UTI's prior my IC diagnosis...I didn't know what a culture was at the time so I have no idea if I ever had bacteria or not but I do think that antibiotics can have an anti inflammatory affect...that is what we use them for in Ulcerative Colitis.

Anyway, while I had the reacurrent infections diagnosis I told my urologist at that time that I felt cranberries were making me worse...he told me not possible...yet that should have been sign that I actually had IC. Regardless...reacurring infections can also do some dammage to the bladder and may be why you now have IC. Hard to know if you had actual bacteria before without records. Just want you to know that you are not the only one that saught treatment...had a urologist, and was given the diagnosis of reacurring UTI's when there was more going on.

http://icandme.9.forumer.com/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=216 antibiotic overview this link is about using antibiotics with IC patients and gives a broud overview that may answer some questions better