Endometriosis Support Group
Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.
Hey Ladies,
So I went back to my gynecologist today to get the IC test, neither of us was expecting to find anything but since my symptoms did start after a really awful kidney infection we figured we might as well test for it and make sure we have all of our bases covered. Turns out I do in fact have IC, and I'll be trying some treatments for it. I will also be starting pelvic floor therapy on the 6th, which my doctor thinks is really going to help! It's nice to have some answers, we know that IC is only one piece of the puzzle, we still have to put the rest together, but for now I have some hope that things will be better soon :)
So I went back to my gynecologist today to get the IC test, neither of us was expecting to find anything but since my symptoms did start after a really awful kidney infection we figured we might as well test for it and make sure we have all of our bases covered. Turns out I do in fact have IC, and I'll be trying some treatments for it. I will also be starting pelvic floor therapy on the 6th, which my doctor thinks is really going to help! It's nice to have some answers, we know that IC is only one piece of the puzzle, we still have to put the rest together, but for now I have some hope that things will be better soon :)
A recent study looked at the value of the potassium sensitivity test in the urogynecologic assessment of pelvic pain.[17] At 3 busy centers, experienced uro gynecologists were asked to assess 134 consecutive patients presenting with chronic pelvic pain. The diagnoses in more than 80% of them were chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, or vulvodynia. Only 3% of patients were considered to have IC. The potassium sensitivity test was conducted after the clinical diagnosis was established, and 85% of patients had positive test results. In a follow-up study of 244 patients who had a gynecologic diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain, 81% had positive results on the potassium sensitivity test, while 0 of 47 asymptomatic controls (0%) had positive results, P < .001.[18] A urinary symptom index was correlated with the potassium sensitivity test.[19] Thus, the potassium sensitivity test may be useful to help differentiate IC from gynecologic causes of pain.
Hot chocolate- I just had the potassium sensitivity test, because that's what my doctor recommended and I was not about to go under anesthesia again and have all of that done. I'm reading up on it now and apparently it's not recommended for diagnosis anymore. This worried me at first but I found that the reason it isn't is because it misses a lot of IC cases, not because it accidentally diagnoses them. I've seen a few other disorders that could cause the reaction I had from the potassium test but overall I feel okay about it and I think that's what counts. It did hurt though, and still hurts, but to me that's better than anesthesia and the costs associated with it.
And thanks PookeyStar91! I'm glad you got some answers today as well :)
I'll keep you updated on how it's working for me and whether or not I try other treatments!
So do you still suspect endo? I know the lap came back negative, but IC is often found in patients with endo...maybe they just couldn't find it - or have you given up on the idea of finding endo?
I'm so glad to hear you've got a reason for your pain. I was diagnosed with IC on thursday and I know someone who has had it for a few years. He follows the diet as much as possible but still takes urelle daily for bladder pain.
I'm also a big tea drinker, and I love tomatoes, I could probably give up everything else, but tomatoes and tea will be the hardest for me. I know there are low acid teas, but is it worth the pain?
My urologist said it can go away with biofeedback and elmiron. I started the Elmiron yesterday, and I'm trying to stay away from trigger foods. Did your doctor say it could go away?