What do you guys recommend to treat Interstitial Cystitis?
I have been on Elmiron for many years and it's amazing. I also drink aloe vera juice every day to help my bladder. I've been doing really well, but for the past two months, my bladder has been VERY upset and I'm not sure what triggered it. I have the feeling of urgency to pee constantly and I have to push my pee out.
I'm looking for ways to reduce my bladder inflammation.
Do you think a tumeric supplement would help? It's very anti-inflammatory, but I don't know if it's spicy. Spicy foods make my bladder symptoms really bad
Posts: 241 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2015
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The "urgency to pee" could be caused by a bladder infection (urinary tract infection). If it's really bad, it could be a kidney infection. Check with your PCP.
Try drinking cranberry juice. I was told that cranberry juice helps w/ bladder infection. I don't drink the juice, but I eat tons of dried cranberries.
Posts: 6 | From pa-nj | Registered: Jan 2017
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Good... high oxalates can cause bladder pain.
Yes, make sure you don't have an infection.
Also... Mast Cell Activation Syndrome can make IC worse... I believe it causes IC. (but so can any infection)
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
Oh no MissVictoria, I m very sorry to hear this.
Do you have pain ?
You have to ask yourself what is causing inflammation in your bladder ?
Do you see a urologist ? Did he/she order you a urine culture ?
My wide spread Lyme and company pain combined with my I.C. pain made me question if life was worth living. It was that bad.
My urologist got to third base with me on my very first appointment. He inserted a catherdeter into my urethra filled with heparin, lidocaine, and antibiotics. Instant relief although short lived.
My urine culture showed mast cells, inflammatory cells, red blood cells, and an unideniflied organism. I believe it was caused by Bart but they didn't test for it.
I have thrown the kitchen sink at this. D-mannose, mashmellow root, IC diet, OTC bladder products, gabapentin, hydroxyzine(prescriped), and weekly cathedral treatments.
After 6 months of continuous Lyme and bartonella treatment, it finally went away. What an AWLFUL ride !
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
This can also be pelvic floor dysfunction. I went through this in 2015 and swore it was my bladder, IC due to Bart, Protomyxzoa, Lyme, etc.
It wasn't. My structure was really screwed up. Twisted pelvis rolled forward, etc.
Find yourself a good, classic Osteopath. After 2 months of treatments all of my symptoms resolved. Your back, particularly L5/S1 interface can put a lot of tension on nerves, etc, which cause these symptoms.
I'm not saying IC isn't real. It is. And you could have it. But it could also be structural and Lyme can turn up the intensity.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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I just went to my urologist last week. My urine culture was normal, so I don't have an infection. This is an Interstitial Cystitis flare-up. I just thought about it, and this does typically happen to me about once a year
Bonnie, I very highly recommend Elmiron. It is the only medicine that treats Interstitial Cystitis and it is amazing. I was diagnosed with IC from a cystoscopy with my urologist and I started Elmiron the same day. I have never had an episode of extreme pain again since starting Elmiron and my bladder has been doing really well. Definitely ask about getting a cystoscopy to see if you have IC. Bartonella is known to attack the bladder, so you might want to be tested for it. Drinking aloe vera juice every day, and after eating bladder-irritating foods, has made a world of difference to my bladder, as well, because it is highly alkaline. When I'm not having a flare-up, my bladder is almost normal, so there is hope for you Hang in there xoxo
Posts: 241 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2015
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bump
Posts: 241 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2015
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Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
I have been diagnosed with Bart, Lyme, m. pneumonia, I.C.and CVID.
My IC went away recently, along with most of my Lyme symptoms after Lyme and Bart protocols.
I have had a cystoscopy and a bladder distention under general anesthesia. It also provided instant relief but short lived.
It isn't a coincidence that all my problems are back after recent tick bite. My immune system is non-existant due to CVID so anything little is major to me.
Hopefully someone has more answers for you. Sorry.
Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
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MissVictoria - please break up your posts into 2-3 sentence paragraphs, as there are people on Lymenet who cannot read large blocks of text due to neurological problems from Lyme. Thanks.
Click the pencil/paper icon, make your changes, then click "Edit Post". Thanks.
Posts: 8981 | From Illinois | Registered: May 2006
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One of the drugs she uses is the old anti-depressant drug, Elavil (amitriptyline).
I have also read where low-dose naltrexone (LDN) can be used to relieve the inflammation caused by IC.
Do some googling on these two treatments.
-------------------- Luvmycat
A mind is like a parachute. It only functions when it's open. Posts: 268 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2003
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Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
I have tried amitriptyline but made me more spacey.
My LLMD wanted to prescripe me LDN but I declined. Next visit I ll tell her I changed my mind. Sounds promising. Thanks.
Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
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Hang in there xoxo
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