I had yeast before I KNEW I had Lyme....but then I'd had years of off an on abx for "sinus infections" etc.

Just a thought
Lymelady

I can't do this...my bladder is in SO much agony right now. And if I have to wait for a doctor for 2-3 months...oh man...I grit my teeth to get through a few minutes never mind a few months. I have a +4 for blood in my urine and lots of other "crap". Urine culture came back as "contaminated" so he said that since it doesn't show "bacteria" that the Amoxicillan is doing it's "job". I worry about my kidneys...I mean yes, I know it can be from the Lyme...but what if there is something else going on, too?

I am stressed out...

There are a lot of good probiotics out there. Some use Primal Defense. Some use PB8. I use Metagenics brand that has to be refrigerated and rotate it with Orthobiotics that does not have to be refrigerated.

You need to find out if you have Interstitial Cystitis. Several of us Lymies here have it. Check out www.ichelp.org

I take Elavil, and I wasn't prescribed it for bladder pain, but sleep, and man did it make the pain stop. In the last few years, I found that Elavil is one of the primary drugs used for Interstitial Cystitis. It works GREAT.

If those dxs are of interest, I made two comments on them and their treatment in this thread (I THINK they apply to IC as well as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, but I am not certain; you can find out):
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/036036.html

My nasty bladder pain and other pelvic sx turned out to be due to the pathology I posted about there, and in my case appropriate treatment provided total resolution of that symptom complex(unfortunately this is not the treatment outcome for everyone suffering from this pathology, but it is for many).

OK honey -- I can tell you're stressed. Take a big deep breath and realize you are not the only around here that has experienced some serious bladder pain.

I have had interstitial cystitis (IC) for over 6 years -- at least diagnosed 6 years -- and it can be some of the most agnoizing pain -- I will certainly validate that for you.

Getting all stressed out about it will not help matters, however.

Please know that I am NOT a real doctor and therefore have no idea if what you are describing is caused by fungal issues or if you indeed may have IC, or some other condition.

I will say a yeast infection is really the more desirable of the two conditions...but IC is not a death sentence or anything -- and there is remission with it.

There is an OVC supplement called 'Prelief' that you can take before meals that will help to remove the acid from your food before it reaches your bladder. Even if you don't have IC, I can't imagine that it would hurt you - especially considering we lymies need to work on being more alkaline anyway.

Are you having to urinate frequently?
Does it hurt before, during, or after urination?
Do you feel like any of your pelvic muscle are in a spasm?
Do you have any burning sensations?
Does your bladder pain get worse around the time of your period or ovulation?

IC is often associated/connected to Lyme disease...so it is not out of the question for you to have it. My suggestion is for you to find a urologist asap - and I also suggest that you ask the urologist's office staff (over the phone) if the uro has EXPERIENCE in treating IC.

If you have a bladder disorder - you will want someone that has EXPERIENCE AND INTEREST in actually treating you, a complicated female in pain -- instead of a uro whose main concern is doling out the prescriptions of Viagra for those in need. (And no one jump my @$$ about saying that -- I understand that erectile dysfunction is a very real problem for some...but it does NOT compare at ALL to the real problem of IC - cause when you've got IC pain -- it doesn't matter how much Viagra you've got in the house --- sex ain't happening!!

You might also consider some of the OVC bladder analgesics (usually used during bladder infections -- ask your pharmacist) while you await a diagnosis.

And what helps me -- stay in bed as much as possible...with me - sometimes I swear I'm about to actually give birth to my bladder -- so I like to get horitzontal as soon as possible to take away the cruel effects of gravity.

I often just curl up in the fetal position - usually with a heating pad to my back (because of the spasms) and an ice pak between my legs...just don't let the ice pak melt & short-circuit the heating pad or anything. You don't need to electricute yourself at this point.

Since this is probably TMI (too much info) for some of the fellas on this board, feel free to email and I'll be glad to help you trhough your bladder crisis to the best of my ability.

Also - you might go to the ic-network for help as well. They have a message board there & lots of good info. (Just be sure to watch your language there...I've gotten in plenty of trouble in the past because when I'm in pain....whew! I'll say anything...and I did.)

My email: [email protected]

Blessings,

Does IC cause blood? tightness in your abdomen? Urinary retention? I am not going the bathroom all the time like the IC symptoms suggest. Just recently after the scope it seemed it was causing me to have a hard time peeing...like the muscles were tight.

Before that it just seemed like flank pain and tightness in my bladder...So I don't know what is going on now. I see the Urologist on Monday to have my catheter out and will talk to him more then. I hate to take all these drugs with their possible side effects. Did it help anyone with urinary retention?

The urologist's colleague saw me last Weds because he wasn't in and she said maybe it was neurogenic bladder. Anyone have that?

Does your urine smell horrible with IC?

Sorry for all the questions...

Don't apologize for asking questions -- you need to know. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

Now - what exactly did the doc first instill in you? Was it the dreaded potassium test?
If it was, and it hurt like hell - that indicates you have IC. For the 'normal' people - that doesn't hurt.

Feeling better after the follow-up instill -- would confirm it more in my mind. I doubt it was the Elmiron that he instilled in your bladder, as my understanding is that it is a pill. Normally they instill some kind of lidocaine solution that has heparin in it.

But maybe he did mix up the Elmiron in another solution and instill it....which IMPLIES he doesn't have all the LATEST & GREATEST IC instill meds -- which might imply that IC is not necessarily one of his specialties???

If you have Elmiron now - and IF you are not on heparin injections - I would suggest that you go ahead and take it as directed by your doc so that it will eventually start working for you.

Elmiron is made from heparin - so you definitely wouldn't want to take them both at the same time. If you're concerned, you might double check with your pharmacist about possible drug interactions, but I was the one that had to remind MY pharmacists that Elmiron was made from heparin. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER....and sometimes it saves your life!

Next, you said you had a 'scope'? I'm just wondering what you meant by that? Did you mean you had an in-off look-sy kind of exam...OR did you go to a hospital or out-patient clinic...get something to knock you out so that he could look all the way up there with a scope -- called a cystoscopy?

BTW, IC is sometimes difficult to diagnose and can sometimes be a diagnosis of exclusion (if memory serves me correctly.)

As for urinary retention - had that too.
Just checking - you're not taking anything like Detrol LA are you? That caused me HORRIBLE retention.

I read you currently have a catheter? Please expound on that. Is that so you CAN urinate -- or what?

You also said the doc agreed to treat you (for IC?) -- if that is the case - fine...but I must warn you: DON'T LET THEM TREAT YOU WITH DMSO UNLESS YOU LIKE HORRIFIC BURNING SPASMING PAIN THAT THE DEVIL HIMSELF IS TOO CHICKEN @#$% TO ENDURE! Did I make that clear enough for you? There ARE other treatments.

Again, email and we'll chat about other alternatives...in the meantime - I wouldn't hesitate to take the Elmiron, provided it's not contraindicated with your other meds.

When you see your uro, you may want to ask him for an Rx for Urelle - it's a pretty good bladder analgesic. Also - I take Vistaril at bedtime. It's an anti-histamine, which is supposed to help. There's some research that suggests certain anti-histamines help. But don't ask me if it's helping - I'm on far too many meds to say what IS and ISN'T working.

OK - well my eyes are fogging over - so I must say goodnight. I hope you can sleep.

Sending you gentle hugs,