Any woman here diagnosed with this condition?? If so, what treatment did your doctor prescribe? It's not a bladder infection...interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammation of the bladder lining! Antibiotics are not prescribed as it is not a bacterial infection! I think your Aunt had "cystitis," basically a bacterial infection, which would therefore be cleared up with antibiotics. "Interstitial Cystitis" is much more severe, rare, and a permanent disease, as opposed to a curable infection.
Myself, I am currently dealing with this. For the last 6 to 7 weeks I have had mild to severe abdominal pain, frequent (and dark/murky) urination, abdominal/pelvic pressure, mild constipation, and blood in my urine. I get a couple of days respite, thinking I'm "cured" and it returns. Initially, I thought I might have been passing a kidney stone, as I passed one within the last yr and CT scans have shown additional stones in my kidneys. I strained urine for a couple of weeks and tried to cope on my own. A call to my urologist resulted in a 15 pill 'script for Tylenol 3, which only helped to take the edge off the pain if I took 2 every 3 to 4 hrs (as opposed to 1 every 4 to 6 as perscribed). A few days later, an initial visit to my GP resulted in a diagnosis of UTI, a Bactrim Rx and follow-up with my urologist, who suggested I blast one of the stones still in my kidney. Meanwhile, nobody has given me anything else for pain, despite my requests. About halfway through the course of medication, my symptoms seemed to clear up and I thought I was good to go. Within 4 days, the pain had returned and I was back at my family doctor, who gave me another UTI diagnosis and a new antibiotic - nothing, still, for pain. A week and a half later, I'm near tears due to the joy of thinking this whole chapter of my life might be over. I'm feeling well, living life, and FINALLY getting to enjoy a little of the summer. :)
Two days later ALL symptoms have returned. This time the pain is so bad I was almost crying while I tried to remember Lamaze techniques. *LOL* I decided to go to the ER. Three and a half hours later I am finally told that's it's prolly IC and I need to follow up with my urologist. AND THEY ACTUALLY HELPED IN PAIN MANAGEMENT!! woohoo
That was last night. I'm calling for an appt. tomorrow AM. So, I guess I'm not "formally" diagnosed, but in the reading I've done over the last several hours, I'm concluding they may well be right. All the symptoms seem dead on. I suppose I will have to be scoped this week to confirm diagnosis, and maybe they will want hydrodistention done. I'm not too sure if I will go with that, though, as I've read they are now questioning its effectiveness.
I'm just so frustrated and upset with the care (or lack thereof) I have received. I have felt like I was crazy for the last month and a half. I feel like I've been treated like some kind of junkie doctor-hopper, but the pain is sincere and REAL! And I am sick of constantly having to put my life on hold because of the pain. :(
I guess I haven't really answered the question, despite all of my prattling. *LOL* Thus far, what's helped:
~pain meds
~heating pad - hours at a time!
~hot baths
~drinking lots of water
~staying well rested
~swimming
~stretching, specifically abs, groin, back
~lower back rubs/massage
What's hindered:
~every time I have a couple of alcoholic drinks, I flare up the next day, so I definitely believe there's a real correlation there
~"pushing" myself - seems like if I try to cram a whole lotta stuff into one day, I suffer after. I think this prolly ties into stress as a trigger
~the last couple of months, it has gotten progressively worse in the couple of days leading up to my period, possibly around ovulation, too
Hpe this helps you - helped me! :D Thanks for letting me vent! ~ha I had a patient with this condition. She had to take long-term antibiotics. i'm not a female but my aunt had it. all i know is if treated early it can be cleared up in a few weeks with antibiotics |
