[crystal]

I have been going to the doctor and getting tests for about a year now. I am a 26 year old female. I have had lower abdominal pain that gets worse when I sit, walk, or move. I spend most of my day laying down flat on my side or back, which after several hours of stillness eliminates the pain. It feels like there is pressure on my bladder as the pain gets worse, and I usually have to go to the restroom at least once in the middle of the night. First, they thought I pulled an ab muscle, so they sent me to physical therapy Then they thought it might be a hernia or endometriosis so they did a pelvic ultrasound and ruled those out. They did a UA and no blood or bacteria showed up. Also, I can't gain wait. I am 5"8" and 120 lbs. I can eat like 4000 calories a day and not gain a pound. The blood tests showed my glands were functioning normally. What is wrong with me? Can anyone help?

[crystal]

I forgot one more thing, you can see the swelling of a longitudinal band of tissue that is directly above my bladder and uterus. The swelling gets worse as the pain gets worse.

[Elbow]

I am also a 26 year old with IC. I was just "officially" diagnosed yesterday, so i am not as educated as most on this forum, but I will say that from what i've read, the disease manifests itself and effects those diagnosed in different ways depending on the severity. I too have to go to the bathroom once or twice a night. A few months ago, I was only going once a night and it was not painful, but definitely felt urgent. Now, no matter when I urinate, it's really painful - but I do not urinate 60plus times a day, as many have mentioned. I urinate much less often than i've read is common. I have a lot of pelvic pain as well.

I was also diagnosed with IBS a few years ago, and my urologist told me yesterday that many women with IC also have IBS. This might explain the abdominal pain you are experiencing, though I'm no expert. Like you, it is difficult for me to gain weight. I weigh 99 pounds and i'm 5'4" and I have been this weight my entire adult life, no matter how much I eat. However, I feel like my weight has more to do with the IBS, so you may want to explore the idea that you might also have it. In addition, i have aslo had numerous blood tests done for my weight and all have turned out to be negative.

Maybe you have a combination of problems like me? I've read that most of the time IC is not an isolated problem. I would be really curious to hear what you find, espescially since we are of the same age and (I think) body type. Hope I was helpful.