I wanted to add, the Dr. tells me that this acid is inserted through a catheter. If it burns, and depending on how badly, that is how they can determine if I have IC. This sounds horrible to me. Is this what you have all gone through, to be diagnosed?
Lorie

that is how they diagnosed me...they wash the solution out after and supposubly stop the reacion...you can read about this and other diagnoses options on ichelp.org

Thank you for replying. I probably won't allow the potassium chloride acid treatment. I just read up on this, and WOW, this sounds very dangerous. The possibility of damaging my bladder wall, and causing me so much burning (fire like)pain, doesn't sound like something I will be able to with stand. From what I read, they attempt to flush it out as quickly as possible, but until then it may burn horrible, and cause burn holes into the already thin bladder wall. Yikes! Thanks so much again, for replying.

My Dr. said he does not do it, it hurts to much. He used Lidocane. I would not do it if I was you.

Thank you Tammy. I will ask the Specialist about Lidocane tomorrow. I had a really restless night last night, because I'm so upset about this. I told my husband i will go to the specialist tomorrow, let him examine me, and hear what he has to say, but I'm not making any decissions right away.

Hi Lorie,
I hope you didn't do the treatment, that is some wacko doc who would do that to a person when the bladder is obviously already inflammed, hey lets make it worse, NOT. The only things going in the bladder should be things that soothe it - GOOD LUCK

I really hope you dont do this. When they checked me they put me asleep and went into my bladder and could tell if I had it by my bladder wall being red and inflamed. I went through distention and six treatments of DMSO for six weeks and was in remission for six weeks. When I got it again I began taking urised and clonazepam which took away all the pain and urgency. I am considering dmso again If i can find a doctor to do it because it worked so well. Dont listen to that doctor, get a second opinion from another doctor. All you need is more pain. I've had that 24/7 pain and it is awful I remember wanted to die. There is help, get another doctor.

OH, one additional thing, when I had the catheter for the DMSo the lidocaine was a life saver. It made the procedures practically painless. I would have hated to have it done without it. I think they called it hurricane.

I made an error in my post. After the dmso, I was in remission for ten years not six weeks. It was a true blessing.

Hi: I have had Chronic IC for over 30 years and I am only 49. I can bet you have this and I am so sorry for you. This has made my life miserable. I use prayer alot. I have been praying for two week and God answered and sent me to Cleveland Clinic yesterday and I was given a new treatment of Ladicaine liquid to insert into my bladder via catheter as many as 4 times per day if needed. I have used and thank God have felt better the last two days than in many many years because of this new treatment given to my at Cleveland Clinic. Keep in touch. Freda

Hi Lorie,
I agree with everyone don't do this! it's painful and you don't need anything else to aggravate an already inflammed area..In my opinion it may have been the catherer used for a quick in office cystoscopy that started my whole IC syndrome-which has been going for 16 mos..with constant urgency, frequency, pressure, etc...
I read in Cath Simone's books that she felt a catheter "kicked off" her whole ordeal as well..Also I think the electro shock you are talking about may be something they do in physical therapy to help you relax and retrain tight pelvic muscles (I've had this)..a device put into the vagina is attached to a little machine which register how "tense" your muscles are. You do exericise which are designed to re-train the muscles and the readings on the machine show the therapist what your muscle tension levels are...there is no "shock" or anything scary involved...is this the type of procedure you were talking about?
Kathy

Hi Lorie,

Do not let them do that to you. There are other ways to find out what you have. My Dr. used Lidocane to find out.

Hi Lorie,
I also have had both of these procedures. The one with the chemicle going into the bladder is not as effective for diagnosis as was the hydro dystention. Ask your doctor to explain each procedure for you.

i also have gone through the pelvic floor procedure. it does not hurt at all. ask your doctor about the success rate for women who have had this. it did not help me. However, I continue to do the exercises I was taught. Good luck. GinnyB

My doctor diagnosed me first with the potassium test and it was very painful. Just yesterday, I had a cystoscopy under anesthesia, which showed I have a very severe case, the worst my doctor has ever seen.

I was diagnosed with hyper distention. They put you to sleep and blow up your bladder and put dyes thru it with a cathedar. When you wake up, for me, the pain was completely gone after 3 days (b/c spasms right after to get your bladder back down to it's size) It took 8 months for the pain to come back. Just make sure whoever is doing the procedures has the right kind of training for it (ask for documentation) they can't say no, unless they don't have one to show! I've heard that shock waves (tens unit) could help relieve pain in the nerves, I have not done that though... do your research and know what's going on at all times
good luck!