Maybe I was misdiagnosed?

[needsrelief]

I was diagnosed with IC this year. But i never had a "through urine culture" done, where they wait a few days for to see if any bacteria appears. I have always had the quick tests done at the doctor's office. So Im wondering what if I have gram positive bacteria in my urine such as staph and strep. I made an appointment to see my doctor next week. I found a lab in my area and all I need is a doctor's note to get my urine tested. I would encourage anyone who hasnt to get this done. I will keep others up to date with my results.

[statesboro]

I am currently under the impression that you think you may just have an infection, as in urinary tract infection, instead of IC. Of course, I also got the impression that you have tested negative before. Ok. I don't know how you got diagnosed with IC, but I would rather have a condition that could be cleared up with antibiotics than to have one with no known cure as well. I have had some UTI's by now. If so, that would mean you have been having an infection the whole time.(or what you're saying) Hey! I have had UTI's on top of IC. It is not fun at all.

[needsrelief]

statesboro-yes I have tested negative for uti and still had the symptoms for about 4 years. I hear alot of people talk about "remission" but honestly the longest time I have never had symptoms was for about a month. Its driving me crazy. Ever since my first Uti when I was in college I took all the medication prescribed but the symptoms never went away. Thats what made me think that maybe I have a different kind of bacteria in my urine instead of the common e-coli and it was not picked up. Yesterday I went to the clinic and they sent out a culture to the lab they contract with. They are going to let it grow for a few days and call me back if something there is different. Maybe its wishfull thinking. But i was thinking my bladder is probaly so damaged now that anti-biotics may only do so much. we will see

[MrsMack1985]

needsrelief, apparently, there is also a school of thought that says that IC is caused by the damage from many/severe UTI`s...you may just be at the "infection that really needs to be gotten rid of" stage, not the IC stage. This is kind of where I am right now too...I keep going in for cultures and they are "negative" but "negative" for a female does not mean absolutely zero bacteria...so I started taking d-mannose powder (which is a sugar that mostly comes out in your urine so it attracts bacteria and flushes it out when you pee) I took some of the powder before I went in for lab work today and they called me later saying they did find 2 types of bacteria this time and they are going to get it cultured again. They said they thought I had a "sub-clinical UTI" they just could not see before and I might have had it for a long time.(my last UTI was only 2 months ago...I say I never got rid of it to begin with) hope they find out what is causing your pain! Let us know!

[needsrelief]

MrsMack1985-Im really hoping that there is some bacteria. my "IC" didnt come out of no where. Its almost like my uti I got in college never went away. I went to a urologist a year later and he said I had bacteria vaginosis. He gave me a prescription of flagyl. I took for like 7 days. I tell you for about a month or two maybe three, I didnt have any IC like symptoms and then they returned. So I believe the flagyl did something. and flagyl is an antibiotic. I wish you luck with your testing!!! If they come back negative. I may test again just in case.

[MrsMack1985]

Huh..I was just told I might have bacterial vaginosis too! Interesting...and yes! Test test and re-test!!

[needsrelief]

MrsMack1985- I gotta wait a few days for an update on the culture. I will let you know. got my fingers crossed.

[Mothergoose]

needsrelief You wrote: So I believe the flagyl did something. and flagyl is an antibiotic.

I looked up Flagyl it is often prescribed with an antibiotic, but it falls under the categories of being a "Amebicides and Antiprotozoals" I believe these are parasites. I know it is prescribed for lots of things.

[needsrelief]

mothergoose-indeed it is used for many bacterial infections- "Flagyl is used to fight or prevent a bacterial infection. It is used for a wide variety of infections including those in the adbomen, bones, joints, nervous system, respiratory tract, skin, as well as vaginal and intestinal infections".