Interstitial Cystitis

[mykitties9]

Hi everyone!

I am new here. I was diagnosed with IC almost two years ago this coming August. I have symptoms occasionally and not all the time. I have recently had a flair up again and this time, I have a burning feeling when I have to go to the bathroom and I have the usual pain in my lower area where the bladder is. That is the usual pain that I get when I have the flair ups. I have never had the burning sensation before and I am pretty sure that I don't have a bladder infection. I was wondering if anyone has had this same problem that I am having now? Thanks!

[emasella]

I was diagnosed with IC seven years ago and never had any sort of burning until recently. I thought at first I had a UTI but my urologist said it was a symptom of the IC. I had hoped something could be done to relieve it (started only a couple months ago and is almost constant now) but urologist dismissed it as "normal" for the disease and offered no help. Sorry I cannot be of more help. Please let me know if you find anything that helps.

[dbasaldua]

I was just recently diagnosed with IC although I have been exeriencing symptoms for about 8 years now. I often experience burning when I urinate. Before I was diagnosed the doctors would say that it was spasming. I am now on a medication that is helping with the burning. It is phenazopyridine. It is the medicine that turns your urine orange or yellow. It makes me sick to my stomach sometimes but it is worth it to get rid of the horrible burning.

[emasella]

Are you taking this medication on a daily basis? The medication says to take for only 3 days in a row.

[dbasaldua]

I can take it everyday right now if needed. So far that and Ditropan is what my Urologist has me taking. I have been taking it for a couple of weeks now. If I dont take it with in a day or so I am in pain with burning again. I still hurts in other areas, I get vaginal pain with my IC as well but it does help with the intense burning at the time of urination. It doesn't take away all of the pain but it does help some. I am not sure how long he will have me taking the medicine, I go back on the 18th to see what treatment plan he wants to persue. I will be sure to let you know what it is and if it is helping. What are they doing for you to help with the pain or discomfort? I also have Irratable Bowel Syndrome and a blood disorder so I have a lot of medication I take on a daily basis. It might affect what my treatment options are. Anyway I am new to all of this so any encouragement is appreciated. I've had a really tough last 16 months.

[beckylou]

I have to tell you the truth that most of the time I have "flares" now. I first started out with symptoms only 2 to 3 times a year... then 2 to 3 times a month...2 to 3 times a week and now it is continuous. But from everything I read, this is not normal. Most patients have lots of good days. I just make my days good by trying to be positive. I refuse to let this disease destroy me.

[dbasaldua]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I too have been having a lot of pain with my IC and "flares". My doctor refuses to give me something to help control the pain so when it gets so bad that I just can't handle it anymore I go to the ER. They give me morphein and vicoden. I'm not sure why the doctor says I should just learn to deal with it, it is easy to say that when you are not the one in pain. Anyway, I will pray for you and I really hope they can figure out what is causing you to have so many flares.