Does anyone out there have Interstitial Cystitis or have a loved one with this condition?

---

I'm just curious if anyone here has any experience at all with IC. I have found the websites for the Interstitial Cystitis Network and the Interstitial Cystits Association and both sites have been a huge help. Any personal experience or ideas would be much appreciated. :)
Here is my experience:
I've been diagnosed with this condition, Interstitial Cystitis or IC about 5 years ago. I went to many urologists over the years before that, and they all dismissed my problems or prescribed the wrong medications to treat my bladder. One prescribed Detrol, which I took twice a day for a couple of years with no results. So the doctor switched me to Detrol LA and it magnified my problem to the point that I couldn't pass urine.
So I quit taking anything. Then we moved and soon after I had a bladder infection, so I went to a new urologist, who happened to be a woman. I received a different examination and advice. She told me she suspected that I had IC and gave some pamphlets about the condition. She prescribed Elmiron which I took for about a year with no improvement. Then I found another woman urologist and she sent me for bladder instillations. It worked for about a year. So I went for another set of treatments and it worked for about a year again. However the third set of treatments didn't work at all. So I am back to start.
Diet is my only recourse, which I find difficult to follow. I love to eat fruit and vegetables, some which can cause problems. I gave up caffeine and diet sodas. I never smoked so that is not a problem. I always make sure I know where the rest room is located.
I am sure we can sympathize together.  (+ info)

Is it ok to take AZO for Interstitial Cystitis if I have Nephrotic Syndrome?

---

Is it ok to take an over the counter medicine such as AZO containing Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride if I have Nephrotic Syndrome? I have Interstitial Cystitis and need to take something for the pain, but my health insurance has expired, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Call your nephrologist. You can also ask the pharmacist.  (+ info)

What is the difference between Cystitis and a Urinary Tract Infection?

---

Do they have the same symptoms and are they treated with the same antibiotics?
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, this may or may not be secondary to infection.

A UTI is an infection anywhere in your urinary tract. This could be your Urethra, Bladder, Ureters or Kidneys.

In answer to your question cystitis caused by an infection may be treated with antibiotics. If this does not relieve your symptoms and you have recurring bouts you may be sent to see a Urologist, who may carry out investigations to determine the cause of your symptoms.  (+ info)

What is a home remedy for cystitis and worms?

---

I am looking after a 96 yr old lady who has recurrant urinary infections. She has been on successive anti biotics and I have been giving her cranberry juice. Today I have given her baking powder in water but didnt know the amount. I gave 1 tspn.
Next my friend has just called to say her 12 yr old grandson has worms. its Sat night. Any remedies in the house as she cant get to chemist tonight.?
your 96 year old lady may be getting recurrent urinary infections due to medication she is on, its a common problem with the elderly-she needs to drink as much water as she can manage comfortably during the day and cranberry as well

check out this site for a natural temp remedy for worms
http://www.whatreallyworks.co.uk/start/kidszone.asp?article_ID=1444  (+ info)

Is there a cure for Interstitial Cystitis, or a better way to deal with the side effects?

---

My wife has had this for over 3 years, and it prevents us from leaving the house because of frequent urination. Is there a way to strengthen her body so she won't have the need to urinate so often?
For one, you cannot get rid of IC through by the way you think. That is completely false. Believe me if I could stop "thinking" I had this and made it dissapear I would, so that was the most ridiculous answer I have ever heard. And for two, there is many ways to help deal with the symptoms that your wife could try. You could go to the ICN which is the interstitial cystitis network and find a lot of useful information. Using baking soda and water is a usually a quick way to reduce the symptoms for a short time period but there are also a lot of natural and medical treatments that can help as well in the long run. By the way, it is a very horrible disease so having very understanding and supportive family members really helps. Hope I could help a little bit. :)  (+ info)

I am looking for information and/or support with regard to Interstitial Cystitis and Endometriosis?

---

Has there been any research conducted with regard to whether or not a catheter can cause Interstitial Cystitis symptoms to become more severe? I underwent three surgeries to deal with Endometriosis. With each surgery I had extreme pain in my urethra immediately upon waking up. Each time the pain was more excruciating. The staff treated me like I was insane and had no solutions or compassion. My insticts suggested that the catheter was causing the problem. They refused to take it out. My last surgery was about a year ago. Since then a Urologist seems to think I have Interstitial Cystitis. In order to determine this for sure one needs to undergo a test involving a catheter. I cannot bring myself to inflict this pain on myself again. If there is anyone who has had any similar experiences, I would appreciate any support. Since my last surgery, I now have daily pain in my urethra. I want to get to the bottom of this. It cost a lot of money to receive this new pain. Anyone?
IC and Endo are often referred to as "Evil Twins." There is a high preponderance of patients who have both, with one complicating the symptoms of the other.

Often, use of a catheter is used to relieve severe cases of IC; however, it stands to reason that the placement of a cath during surgery might cause additional pain. Even women without IC wake up in pain from the cath; however, this should have subsided with no long term effects. Clearly, something is amiss and you deserve to obtain the proper treatment to be relieved of your pain and regain your quality of life. There may even be Endo involvement of the region, causing additional/complicating symptoms; the pain of which is often mistaken for IC.

I would recommend consulting with one of the Endo specialty centers who have the knowledge, expertise, surgical team, and more importantly, the compassion to help you find the answers and the relief. There are a few throughout the country which immediately come to mind:

http://www.centerforendo.com
http://www.endometriosissurgeon.com
http://www.drcook.com
http://www.endoexcision.com

Hopefully a free consult with one of the above professionals will shed a little light on what steps to take towards recovery. Good luck and feel better.  (+ info)

How long does it take for interstitial cystitis to go away?

---

I've been taking Elmiron for 6 months now and the inflammation is still bothering me, in another 6 months i'm going to come off the medication, when should the medication start taking full effect?
I understand that when the drug works most feel start feeling better by 3 months and it should have full effect at 6 months. Talk with your doctor--maybe it's time to try another medication.

IC ruined my life for about 2 years. I tried everything. Prozac finally worked for me. Best of luck.  (+ info)

Why do I get cystitis after sex?

---

I've got a new boyfriend and we've had sex quite a lot recently, up to three times in a day sometimes (as you do). This seems to have caused cystitis, which I'm kind of prone to anyway. We always use condoms. Is there anything I can do to avoid cystitis? I am trying to keep away from sex until it goes away but it's kind of hard when you really like someone.
Ive got the same problem.had every test done imaginable.turns out simply peeing after sex is the best thing you can do.:)  (+ info)

Can i take a pregnancy test with cystitis?

---

I think i have cystitis and i plan on taking a pregnancy test tomorrow morning will the urine infection afect the test?
Of course not. Pregnancy tests are unaffected by any infection, drug or vitamin.

Unless you are taking a concepton drug that contains hcg.  (+ info)

How is it possible to work a job having Intersitial Cystitis?

---

I just think the manager would get mad if I'm running to the bathroom every 5 minutes. What to do?
Inform your manager in confidence of your condition and find out if she'll work with you on a solution.  (+ info)

---

---

• Home
• Our method
• Usage examples
• Index

• Statistics
• Contact

---