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How is Interstitial Cystitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made by ruling out other causes such as bladder infection, sexually-transmitted disease, bladder cancer, vaginal infection, endometriosis, or other causes. After ruling those out, a cystoscopy is then performed. The characteristic finding is pinpoint bleeding in the lining of the bladder.

What is the treatment for Interstitial Cystitis?

Treatment includes:

medications (DMSO, chlorapactin, or silver nitrate) instilled in the bladder;

antidepressants (pain-relieving effect, and helps with depression caused by the condition);

antispasmodics;

antibiotics;

surgery; and

experimental drugs (Elmiron, Nalmefene).

My experience with Interstitial Cystitis

I have to urinate frequently and often feel like I need to urinate right after going. I can go to the bathroom just before going to bed and ten minutes later I feel like I have to go again and I just dribble. One of my doctors said, at one time, that I might have a urinary tract infection or interstitial cystitis, which is very rare. He put me on Septra, an antibiotic, to see if it would clear up and then we would know if it was a urinary tract infection. It did not help, in fact it made things worse. I have also experienced pain when I have needed to urinate at times and it is usually somewhat relieved after urinating. I was finally diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis September 11, 2001 after having tried using more antibiotics. I am currently trying the medication Elmiron, but will not know for several months whether this drug is working or not.

Check out these sites for more information about Interstitial Cystitis:

What is Interstitial Cystitis

An Introduction to Interstitial Cystitis

Interstital Cystitis Association

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy pain, gassiness, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

What are the symptoms of IBS?

People with IBS usually have crampy abdominal pain with painful constipation (difficult or infrequent bowel movements) or diarrhea (frequent loose stools, often with an urgent need to move the bowels). In some people, the constipation and diarrhea alternate.

What are the causes of IBS?

The cause of IBS is unknown and there is no cure. Doctors call it a functional disorder because there is no sign of disease. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but does not cause permanent harm to the intestines. IBS is a mild annoyance for most people, but in some people it can be disabling. Most people control their symptoms through medications, diet, and stress management.

IBS has often been thought to be caused by emotional conflict or stress. Stress may worsen the symptoms, but other factors are also important.

How is IBS diagnosed?

IBS is diagnosed after doctors exclude the presence of disease. They will take a complete medical history that includes a creful description of the symptoms. A physical examination and lab tests may be done.

My experience with IBS

My bowels are very irregular. I can be constipated or have diarrhea and switch between them without warning. My constipation gets so bad at times that I have a lot of crampy pain and sometimes will take a laxative. The laxatives work too well and cause diarrhea. I then have to take Pepto Bismol and then I become constipated again. Avoiding eating a lot of dairy products helps. If my IBS is really acting up, taking fiber also helps.

Check out this site for more information on IBS:

IBS

Total Discount Vitamins IBS Information Page

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cysts

This is a disease that affects many women without their even knowing it. There is so much information about this and my experience with it that I have a separate page for it, please check it out here. My experience with endometriosis and infertility are described here.

Infertility

This is a very sad condition that affects many couples, sometimes without any other problems causing it. Mine is closely related with my endometriosis. Please check out my information page here. My experience with endometriosis and infertility are described here.