Interstitial Cystitis--Chronic Inflammation of the Bladder #1

[XxAtomVinterxX]

I was diagnosed when I was 18, The first onset of the symptoms lasted over a year, it had gotten so overwhelming that I attempted suicide over it. It has gone away and come back many times since then, thank god the symptoms with the flare up only last a few weeks but I am fearful that any time it comes back it could linger for longer. Thank you for being an inspiration to other suffers of this horrible disease.

[SUNMAYDEN518]

sorry casey. i am now in remission but suffered for years

[DysautonomiaMD]

Fondest Hellos! Hats off to you for discussing this subject. You bring up another point that is important. Sexual activity and subsequent UTIs are not too uncommon. And may I propose that we need to look at this relationship in the big picture. Quality of life, relationship stability, depression, and smell are important components that need more attention. LoLv, Dr. Margaret

[tenthousandyearsgoon]

How was this diagnosed? Did you have any scans done such as MRI? I have had constant pain for 3 years been to so many different doctors they say they cant help me.

[gumpishelf]

@tenthousandyearsgoon Good questions. I didn't have the official tests run. I went to my gynecologist to get a new birth control and a check up and I, at the time, was in serious pain in my bladder AGAIN. So, I complained to her and told her my urologist diagnosed me with chronic bladder infections and I filled out a questionnaire that she then gave me to see if I might have Interstitial Cystitis. When the results were lookin' positive from my answers, we went into further investigation by

[gumpishelf]

@tenthousandyearsgoon ...taking me off the low dose antibiotic and putting me on a strict diet and a birth control that keeps my hormones more under control. When I began to have less and less pain less often and my symptoms were clear and it was shown in many of my urine samples during pain showed no sign of infection...it was pretty apparent to me what I had. My suggestion: don't stop trying to get second opinions and EXPERIMENT!

[gumpishelf]

@tenthousandyearsgoon Try things for yourself...you don't need a doc's approval to start the IC diet... :)

[tenthousandyearsgoon]

@gumpishelf OK thanks for the extra info. Yes i have changed my diet drastically recently; I have been vegetarian for 4 years now and have adopted a Vedic monk diet.

[gumpishelf]

@know4yourself Thank you so much for your comments :) any encouragement with this problem is one of the best things I could possibly receive. It should be something that isn't embarrassing or hard to explain to other people, but I understand that it is and I hope that my little youtube videos will count for someone...so I'm really glad I could reach out to you. Thank you so much.

[gumpishelf]

Sorry I got cut off mid-sentence. Still figuring out this youtube uploading thing.