Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Support Group

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time, I don't use azo so I don't know how it works, I can say for me sharp stabbing pain is something that goes along with my IC. I doesn't have to burn everytime you urinate but it does happen sometimes. You may want to check out the IC network, there is a lot of great info on this website. IC for me has gone into remission and stayed away for a period of time but unfortunatly there is no cure, we are all waiting for that one. I hope you feel better soon :)

I could not take the azo--it seemed to make things worse. I have taken Prosed, Utira-C which is now Ureton that turns urine blue. It seems not to be very colorful at first when I am in a flare, but gets much darker after 2-3 days. I only use it as a last resort when nothing else has yet started to eleviate the pain. Elmiron keeps my bladder calm most of the time and physical therapy helped with my Pelic Floor Dysfunction so now I do quite well most of the time. It took me a long time to get to this state though, but frequency is still a problem although not nearly as bad as a couple years ago. It seems we have to keep trying treatments until something works. Good luck.

nicey52, thank you for responding, I'm not a bad today as yesterday, though the med makes me a little dizzy, I am trying to figure out how to lessen my caffeine load but in the past, it brings on a migraine to go without, I'm trying the to ween off. COFFEE! I'm going to miss you!

I will look around the site and find my way through this mess, like with the fibro, if I convince myself there will be a remission to look forward to of any length, It helps to keep my hopes up! thanks again! Coleen

seu620, thanks for your history, it is encouraging, I was extremely depressed when I got the diagnosis, but If others can manage and improve, I'm determined to do so as well. I have had a history of pelvic issues culminating in a complete hysterectomy in 2000, no kiddos, but for one beloved stepson. I had some terrible years even afterwards, but then, a blissful handful of years where all the swelling seemed to abate, even the cat could sit on my tummy without me wincing! So I will find my "here we go again mode" and try to be proactive in this treatment and diet plans. But ARRRGHHH, does spring to mind. You are very kind to respond, thank you so much!

I really hope you feel better, im 18 years old and have had IC for 2 years, My ic doennt make my blatter hurt at all my penis is in constant pain 24/7 and i pee every 4-7 mins

I'm sorry you're having to go through this. Sharp, stabbing pain is what I usually experience during a flare-up. Most of the pain for me is located in the urethra rather than the bladder. Hopefully once you find a solution for the inflammation the bladder spasms will lessen and you won't have to use the restroom so frequently. It's quite a process to find what works best for you, but finding the right doctor and a good support group can work wonders, even if you are in pain. Fibro + IC is a horrible combination but I know you'll be able to find relief eventually. I hope it's soon!

Ryan, thank you for your message. I am going to light a candle and say a prayer for your future, and for better pain free days for you. That you are so young and suffering this, is a hard thing to hear. I hope your strength and the vitality of youth will help you battle the symptoms. Try to place your pain in a separate file from the rest of you. Pain is not you, but something that has been visited upon you. That it affects a part of your body that is so crucial to man's identity, must be very difficult mentally to cope with, so consider therapy to help you adjust as the mind is the most powerful healer. Please know your honest response woke up something in me and helped greatly, that I must look outside myself and realize I am not the only one and to be as much as possible, helpful to others. You are very brave Ryan. Thanks.

Lizdi, hello, thank you for the encouragement and caring. It has always amazed me that the folks who have the least, give the most. And by least, I of course, mean health. It would be so easy to simply sit with the pain and give up sometimes and I think it remarkable how resilient we become, how it makes us braver and more determined to fight the disease process, though I know utterly that we all have days we need someone to say, I understand, it sucks, its outrageous this is happening to you! Just that empathy can make us a little stronger, and little more able to go on. So, thank you, so much for taking the time for me. It is very gracious of you. Coleen

Dicyclomine will stop the urguence and frequency, it a generic and works wonderflly. I am really suprised no one has commented on this.
I have had IC since I was 10..and now I'm 35. Please folks, give it a chance!