Antibiotics for IC?

[Kardoula]

I am a bit frustrated. I read through the site and many of the posts and I see that there are a number of ways to deal with IC. My doctor has prescribed a huge regime of antibiotics and told me to take aspirin and be patient. This doesn't match most of the information I read about IC. Our medical system in Holland is different than in the US. The specialist diagnoses and the 'house doctor' or GP treats. I started taking the antibiotics two days ago and feel terrible. The bladder pain is worse and my urine even feels like it burns me when it comes out. I have spent the past two years almost constantly on antibiotics since they kept treating me for what they thought were bladder infections.

So, now I not only have cramps and pain in my bladder but pain in my stomach along with diarrhea (I have IBS too). At the moment, it's not so much fun to be me.

I have a really important job interview this afternoon and I have no idea how I'm going to make it. My usual sparkling, positive attitude is fading just a bit.

Has anyone else been prescribed antibiotics for IC?

[cmclien]

Do you have bacteria in your urine? Thats the key question because unfortunately, antibiotics won't do a thing for IC because its not bacterial. Doctors often prescribe them over and over not realizing its IC but they will only hurt you by building antibiotic resistance and killing off the good bacteria which will make your IBS worse and cause yeast infections. Sometimes we feel a little better if given them because they have some anti-inflammatory properties.
Maybe you should ask to be screened for IC, or mention IC to your doctors if there is no bacteria in your urine culture. Antibiotics are not recommended by the AUA for treatment of IC.

[endogirl2]

Hello!

If you're taking a bunch of antibiotics you should get on a really good probiotic to replenish the good bacteria that the antibiotics are killing. Anything with acidophilis is great for IBS as well!

[Linda May]

antibotics is no cure for ic.

[ICNDonna]

If you don't have infection, antibiotics probably won't do much to help. Are you following an IC diet? If not, I suggest you begin that today --- some find that single thing helps more than anything else.

For short term relief, you might ask for pyridium (in your country, it's called Egacene by Astra). I don't know if it's available without a doctor's order, but could be worth trying for an important appointment.

I hope you get some answers soon. Not knowing is the worst of times.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[sailawaygrl]

So, you are saying that antibiotics are their solution for treating IC? Maybe you could print off the American Urological Associations guidelines for treatment and ask if you could try some of the recommended treatments. Not sure how a physician in another country will feel about that though. From all the reading I have done it seems that Dr's in different countries all have differing opinions on how to treat IC. I guess it depends on what opinion on cause that they subscribe to. It is worth a try to ask them for something that our Dr's use. It will depend on what your symptoms are as to what you might choose to ask about. Try to find some info to back up what you are requesting, maybe something other than just the message boards ( I can imagine that would be another thing that would be insulting to a DR). If I were in your shoes I would just explain that since you are originally from the US ( I think you said that in your first post) you have been doing research our the American sites and tell him some things that Dr's and patients are finding successful here and ask about just trying something.

I hope you are able to get some help. Do you have the option to see another GP? Does the specialist direct them as to the treatment? Maybe you could do some research on their other treatment options available. Another option could be asking for physical therapy for your pelvic floor, that can be of help for IC as well.

Keep us updated.
Sandra

Try looking at this document, I just found it and this is where it was written, hopefully this will help.

This information brochure is published by the International Painful Bladder Foundation.
The International Painful Bladder Foundation is registered at the Chamber of Commerce
Rotterdam, Netherlands, under number 24382693.
info@painful‐bladder.org
www.painful‐bladder.org

http://www.painful-bladder.org/pdf/Diagnosis&Treatment_IPBF.pdf