Newly Diagnosed with IC - CONSTANT urethra irritation

[bcmcd11]

Hello,
I was diagnosed with IC just last week after suffering for two months, and my doctor put me on several medications: Elmiron, Uribel, Amitriptyline, Hydroxyzine HCL, and Prelief tablets--all of which I have been taking religously. (He also prescribed an antibiotic called Nitrofurantoin Macro to take after intercourse.) My pain is not as bad as it was, however my urethra is extremely irritated NON-STOP, EVERYDAY, ALL THE TIME. I am beginning to go nuts.

Does anyone out there have some advice for me? Is there another medication available for an inflamed urethra? (I have cut out all coffee and tea and sodas from my diet, and avoid anything with citric acid in it.) The medicines I have been prescribed aren't helping the urethra irritation one bit.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[sailawaygrl]

Have you looked at the IC diet in detail? You are on the right path with what you have cut out of your diet, but there might be some things you are eating that could be causig you problems. You can find the diet through the link below for patients. You can also find a lot of other good tips from reading that section as well.

Sounds like your Dr is on the right track, you are on the first line of treatments for IC. You may find that in working with your Dr, you and he/she feel that some of your meds dosages may need adjustment for you to get the best relief from them. Be sure to make note of your symptoms and when they occur. That can help you when you see your Dr.

Glad that your pain is better. It can take some time for some meds to reach their full effect.

One tip is if you are having a lot of burning during urination is to use a small squirt bottle to pour water over your urethra while you are urinating, this can help with the burn.

Sandra

[darwinaberdeen]

things can get better

Hi
My IC symptoms came on very suddenly and severely over a one week period. Like you, i had constant urethral irritation which drove me to distraction as i couldn't sleep, couldn't rest. I remember being so upset and crying all night as i felt so alone.
I also had bladder spasms and a constant need to go to the bathroom. My GP put me on detrusitol (i am a uk resident) and gradually over the course of the next 4-8 weeks my urethral irritation began to go away. I remember it didn't go away suddenly, but instead of having 24hr irritation, i would just have spells of irritation until it finally cleared. My bladder problems continued for about 11 months or so, but what i wanted to let you know is that i have been okay now for approx 2years with only very very minimal symptoms now and again. It can get better. I know it is hard but try and rest as much as you can, I will be thinking of you.