Newly diagnosed with IC

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site as I have only recently been diagnosed with IC.

After a number of years of infrequent UTIs, some worse than others, I started to have bouts of acute abdominal pain, problems passing urine, frequency and discomfort when passing urine. I visited my GP thinking that I had another UTI only to discover that my urine sample was clear. The first bout occured about 15 months ago and lasted for about a month. My GP had no answers but sent me for an ultrasound on my kidneys and a vaginal camera both of which were clear.

As the problem had subsided by this time I did not prusue it but found that on occasion I would wake in the morning with very mild symptoms which would subside if I drank plenty of water. I did begin to notice that the symtoms were often most likely if I had been drinking alcohol the night before. All was okay until last Christmas when the problem kicked off again thus causing anther miserable month.

My GP referred me to the Urodynamics department. I am 53 and post menopausal so I guess it was assumed that the frequent need to urinate arose from my age. All tests were clear and I was told that there was nothing to treat but it was suggested that I could have an over sensitive bladder and cutting out alcohol, which I had already done, caffine, fizzy drinks and cytrus fruits and juices could help. Wanting to help myself I did as suggested and all was fine until the end of May when I contracted another UTI.

The UTI was treated and I wasat last referred to Urology. I have since had a miserable few months with constant bouts of the usual symptoms with no obvious UTI. The bouts and pain seem to be getting worse and as I no longer drink alcohol have no obvious triggers.

Last week I attended Urology twice, once for a kidney Ultrasound which was again clear and a flow rate test which proved to be poor and once for a cystoscopy. The forst consultant suggested that I had Urethral stenosis, the second and over sensitve bladder\ Interstial cystis,. I was prescribed Betmiga and told to go back in a couple of months. I had a miserable weekend, in much pain and was evntually given diazepam to calm me down and enable me to sleep.

I am improving but the Betmiga is causing insomnia so am not sure that I can continue. I have also bern given buscopam to relax the bladder. Trying to come to terms with it all and am genuinely worried about the impact that this is going to have on the rest of my life.

Has anyone any advice or ideas?

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