Picture of my bladder doesn't look so bad.

[mrab]

So I've seen the red balloon pictures on the web and I can say that the irritation on my bladder is a tiny fraction of the ic bladders on the web. It still causes pain but I am encouraged that I don't have a lot of damage and redness. No ulcers either. The hydro seems to work as well. I had very good bladder day yesterday. I am still adhearing to the diet and I hope the pain free days continue.

Question for the group: Is is possible to heal the tiny tears in the bladder?

Melissa

[valkay18]

That's great!! You are very lucky! I am one who has the yucky red blotchy bladder. Red spots all over it.

[imwood]

My doc said not to put too much weight into how your bladder "looks" .. as he's had patients with terrible-looking bladders with moderate pain, and patients with very mild outbreaks visually, in unbearable pain. A lot has to do with the innervation of your own body, how you respond to pain, etc.

So, good that you don't have a giant raw balloon for a bladder, but don't undermine yourself "I shouldn't complain, mine didn't even *look* that bad, I must be exaggerating" ....

I've also found that, in general, the web is so unhelpful in giving one an accurate picture of anything medically related. Things that make it into an image search are usually the "worst of the worst", like the biggest tumors, the gnarliest breaks, the worst deformities, the bloodiest bladders etc -- and don't always represent the "everyday" picture/patient that docs usually see.

[mary124]

Melissa; responded to your post earlier. My bladder is very red and blotchy. I have had 3 doctors here in town tell me that my bladder is the worse they ever seen and they all wonder how with this and the pain that I can work full time!
I think you are the 7th person between here and work that I just found out that have had IC. If you want to talk in person let me know and maybe we can meet somewhere.

[mrab]

my bladder pics

Hi IMWOOD,

Yes, I think I may have seen something on the boards about drs. who don't categorize the bladder pics because everyone's pain is personal. I am very sensitive. I was taking it from the approach that my bladder can heal and it wasn't completely covered in red streaks. I am trying to be hopeful. I am a cancer survivor and I beat that and I would truly like to beat this. No pain is my goal and total healing of the bladder. Something caused this and I am determined to correct it.

Melissa