Urinalysis: Could UTI Symptoms Mean Interstitial Cystitis?

[Guest guest]

by Shanahan, MD (see more from this expert)

I have been having symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but urine

analysis is negative. I understand that interstitial cystitis is a

possibility. Can you give me any information on this condition? What

can I do to relieve the pain?

-- Charlene

Interstitial cystitis is by no means fully understood. It occurs

predominantly in women, causing bladder pain, urinary frequency,

urgency (a sensation of having to urinate RIGHT NOW), and lower

pelvic pain and pressure. All of these symptoms may mimic a bladder

infection. Usually a diagnosis is made by persistence of symptoms

and lack of an infection on urine culture; the doctor may then

perform a cystoscopy (a procedure to look inside the bladder with a

telescope-like instrument).

Treatment of interstitial cystitis includes relaxation techniques,

medication, distention of the bladder via cystoscopy or instillation

of DMSO into the bladder. An antidepressant called amitriptyline

(Elavil) in low doses can be very effective. A new medication called

Elmiron has fairly recently been approved by the FDA for use in

interstitial cystitis. A urologist is the doctor best equipped to

diagnose and treat interstitial cystitis and other bladder problems.

[Guest guest]

Charlene,

I have IC and have found Desert Harvest aloe vera to be the best non-

invasive treatment available. Go to desertharvest.com and check out their

IC protocol. I have done all of the meds listed below and virtually every

medication used in the treatment of IC -- I have had it since I was 20 years

old, 26 years ago. At that time, my urologist said I was his youngest

patient and the patient with the worst case of IC he had ever seen. The

only treatment that worked for me was hydro-distillations under anesthesia

and heparin injections I gave myself subcutaneously. I had a 10-year

remission with heparin injections. I am in pain again and did heparin

instillations into the bladder but didn't find relief with this treatment.

I am taking Desert Harvest aloe again and am going to find a urologist who

will heparin injections again. I think female hormones play a role in the

ups and downs of the disease, at least they have for me. For some women

allergies are involved.

Kenda

> by Shanahan, MD (see more from this expert)

>

>

> I have been having symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but urine

> analysis is negative. I understand that interstitial cystitis is a

> possibility. Can you give me any information on this condition? What

> can I do to relieve the pain?

>

> -- Charlene

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Interstitial cystitis is by no means fully understood. It occurs

> predominantly in women, causing bladder pain, urinary frequency,

> urgency (a sensation of having to urinate RIGHT NOW), and lower

> pelvic pain and pressure. All of these symptoms may mimic a bladder

> infection. Usually a diagnosis is made by persistence of symptoms

> and lack of an infection on urine culture; the doctor may then

> perform a cystoscopy (a procedure to look inside the bladder with a

> telescope-like instrument).

>

> Treatment of interstitial cystitis includes relaxation techniques,

> medication, distention of the bladder via cystoscopy or instillation

> of DMSO into the bladder. An antidepressant called amitriptyline

> (Elavil) in low doses can be very effective. A new medication called

> Elmiron has fairly recently been approved by the FDA for use in

> interstitial cystitis. A urologist is the doctor best equipped to

> diagnose and treat interstitial cystitis and other bladder problems.

>

>

>

>

>

>