Urinary issues

Yes go see another urologist, he should have scoped your bladder to see if its irritated, or ulcers on it. It does sound like ic but it's best to go to someone who will do the full exam. My urologist did a sonogram first to see if I'm retaining urine, and then scope into my bladder. Good luck,

Hi Kate, well, I’d definitely see another urologist. The one you saw did nothing for you and at specialists’ copays, they have unmitigated gall to do nothing. I am thinking you could possibly have what most women on this forum suffer from..interstitial cystitis (IC). There are urologists out there who do know something about this illness and will do the best they can to help. If you seek out other docs, make sure first that the one you do see has some understanding of it. These lazy docs who take your $$$ and     meet their quotas doing nothing seem to be the norm these days, especially if you are in the States as I am. By process of elimination most will come up with a viable diagnosis.

The symptoms of IC mirror UTIs. Keep in mind there are little to no clinical trials done to support the IC diagnosis. Docs are quick to put you on anti anxiety meds such as amitriptyline which does nothing but put weight on...at least this was my experience..or they want to do minorly invasive procedures such as bladder installations where a medicine is threaded into your bladder to coat it and break what is known as a flair (when you get into bad pain or cramps, including frequent urination with pressure, pain, etc, this is known as a flair). The reason for all of this is because there are so many docs simply not familiar enough with IC. 

Nearly two years ago I saw my gyn after experiencing a week of horrible pain. I thought I had a wicked UTI which became so bad I went to the ER. They told me it was a urinary tract infection after finding bacteria in the urine sample. They sent me home to follow up with my doc and that’s what I did. This is when the primary gave me the anti anxiety meds which I ended up throwing out and then I saw my gyn who kept mentioning the words IC to me. I said to her, “you see what?”  That’s when she told me about interstitial cystitis. She gave me a pelvic exam and an ultrasound to ensure it was nothing else and then handed me a pamphlet of foods and beverages to avoid. She went on to say that they do not know how IC starts and they have no cure for it..again, due to little to no work being done in this area. She explained that there hadn’t been enough bacteria to constitute a UTI, and this is why antibiotics do not work. It’s not an infection. She recommended  changing my diet immediately. Apparently acidic foods are verboten if you’ve got IC. She also did recommend the bladder installations. She said I’d have to get one for seven weeks in a row for it to be effective. I didn’t like the sound of that so I told her I wanted to try the diet change first. Note also that she informed me that stress can bring on a flair, as well. I guess added stress can bring out the acids in your system which ultimately brings on a flair. Flairs, by the way, can last for days or even weeks. It is important to follow the right diet in order to break a flair. You can go onto the site for IC and learn all about it and which foods to avoid. You must drink a lot of water throughout the day. I also find that if my flair isn’t too bad that exercise helps alot, especially Pilates. Note also that some women even benefit from pelvic floor therapy.

So do your research change your diet and see it you get relief. It has helped me a lot. Interestingly, from last November through much of January, my symptoms just went away...just like that. I was overwhelmed and thought it went away for good but it didn’t. It came back in February with a vengeance. I even eased up on my diet during this period and all that did was make it tougher to get back on track.

i know this is a lengthy read but I just wanted you to have a good understanding of what IC is. Oh and by the way, many women mix baking soda with water to break a flair as well as taking freeze dried aloe Vera capsules. When the pain and cramping gets so bad that nothing helps I take two Advil and one Tylenol. A dentist I used to go to said that combo was good for immediate  pain relief and it does seem to work for awhile.

Research is key right now. Get on a proper diet and see if that helps you. Painful bladder syndrome is not a diagnosis. These doctors crack me up. Rather than point you to someone who can help they give you a lot of nothing. I wish you success in your efforts to get this under control. It can most definitely be done. I also want to add that just because these procedures such as bladder installation are not for me that  doesn’t mean it won’t help someone else. Keep reading the IC forums and look on as many sites as you can where women are talking about this. Bladder installations to seem to help some. The weird thing about this illness is that some remedies help some women while not helping others so it can be a crap shoot. Get off all processed foods, sugar, junk food and stick with a whole foods, non GMO, plant based diet, foods and bevvies and hopefully it will help. I have learned a lot by reading what other women have done as I’m sure you will on this forum. I wish you all the best!

I agree with Brenda you should see another urologist it could never hurt to get a second opinion. I was recently diagnosed with IC/Painful bladder syndrome but before that I have had multiple pelvic exams and urine tests. Also a pelvic ultrasound and bladder scan to make sure there was nothing else going on before making the diagnoses. The symptoms you are having do sound like IC but it is best to check everything to make sure.

I agree with Brenda you should see another urologist it could never hurt to get a second opinion. I was recently diagnosed with IC/Painful bladder syndrome but before that I have a multiple pelvic exams and urine tests. Also a pelvic ultrasound and bladder scan to make sure there was nothing else going on before making the diagnoses. The symptoms you are having do sound like IC but it is best to check everything to make sure.

Hi, Kate! While these symptoms can definitely be IC (I had very similar symptoms when I was diagnosed) but testing is necessary to rule out other issues. Ask for a pelvic ultrasound, even transvaginal, tp make sure nothing else is going on. And if you're not happy with or confident in your current urologist, definitely find another. A urogynecologist may be your best option. I hope you give the answers you need. P.S. you can also have a cystoscope to check for damage in your bladder.

Hi Kate, just thought I would mention that cranberry juice is a big no no if you have ic. Alot of people drink it for uti and it does help some but for ic it can cause a big time flare. Good luck, take care.