Interstitial Cystitis

[NEUTROGAL]

I am getting so frustrated. I delivered my first child 6.5 months ago now and have dealt with constant pelvic discomfort, and sometimes pain, ever since. I have had four bladder cultures, all negative for infection. I've had two runs of antibiotics. All the urine dips keep showing white blood cells and some blood. The family doctor however tells me to "get bladder out of your head - it's not bladder".

I think he might be wrong - the pain is worse as the bladder is very full and even hurts more sometimes immediately after I empty the bladder. I notice this when I get up in the middle of the night to urinate. The pain is about 2 inches below navel and radiates throughout most of the pelvic region. It is usually worse in the lower left region - somewhere near the ovary. Had a pelvic ultrasound and all organs look fine.

This discomfort is so painful at times that it can lead to being toppled over and on the toilet leading to diarrhea. I can't help but think it's bladder related and after doing my reading I think it might be IC It never goes away - there's always a discomfort in my abdomen/pelvis. It feels like bruising from the inside out. Sometimes sharp, sometimes not so bad.

I thought I had a bladder infection for a couple of weeks following giving birth, but didn't want to entertain the idea of antibiotics while breastfeeding, so I didn't bother going to the doctor. I hope that isn't the culprit of the IC if that's what this is. I would feel like an idiot for not getting it treated while I could.

Anyways, for now the doctor has simply told me that we'll never get my problem sorted out and to just 'carry on'.

What does anyone think about this? Any idea about my problem?

Thanks for reading,

Neutrogal

[AChase]

I can sympathize with your pain and docs who dont want to help. I lost my military career because of docs that didnt want to expand the possibilites and actually take time to find answers. Two and a half years after the on set of pain i got a diagnosis of IC. Its sad though that it took so long so many different docs and my military career to find an answer.
Depending on the insurance you have you can change who your family doc is with no problem, and I suggest doing that. Go through docs like old newspaper if you have to, I cant begin to explain how many docs I went through because no one wanted to listen and think. Get copies of your records and find a doc that has never spoken to any of yours you have now and exlain your side of the situation and present him with the records.
Push to see a urologist. I dont know about all insurances but some see Urology as a specialty clinic and you cant go to them without being referred, but talk to your insurance and find out. If you can go without a referral, do it. Dont let some doc tell you to move on it because theyll never figure it out. Thats the biggest pile of BS Ive ever heard. I started believing an answer would never come to me, but I still pushed to find out why I was 21 years old and could not walk run ride a horse, enjoy a day at the park with my dogs or even sit at home and be lazy without pain. I finally was seen at a research hospital and my OB/GYN suggested the urologist. I now have an awesome team of doctors that do care about their patients and care to find out how to ease their pain. The right doc for you is out there, you just have to look.
In the mean time, keep your head up. I know its hard, and its depressing at times, I was and still am in your shoes. Just dont give up, and DONT believe that BS line they fed you about never knowing.

[smhapenrod]

I had my second child almost nine months ago, imediatly I had symptoms of a UTI. I went to my OB/GYN they did a culture and it was postive for a UTI. They put me on a round of antibiotics. Well to make the story short I ended up on 7 different antibiotics. Finally she sent me to a urologist who then proseeded to make me feel like I was just crazy. He did a cystoscopy and said that there wasn't anything wrong. But the pain was still there. I then went to me family doctor who said that the urologist is crazy. she put me on elmiron that has been working ok. I still have the flare ups though.
My advice to you is know your body, when you feel something isn't right it general isn't.