Bladder cramps

[Derry5959]

I was diagnosed with Sjogrens in 2005.  I was just recently diagnosed with IC.  i too have read alot on internet and there are very limited options.  First you need to find a physician that will listen to you and try to help you.  i seen over 5 urologist before I diagnosed myself.  After researching I finally found a doctor who believed me and knew what I was talking about.  It is very common in Sjogren patients.  I found that using splenda and artificial sweetners brings it on for me.  I start getting bladder spasms soon after usng it.  Also stress can bring it on. So far I am using heating pad and Levisin.  I am not to the point to try Elmiron.  Too many side effects including hair loss.  The pain get unbearable at times and going to the doctor and being told you don't have an infection only makes things worse.  Some will treat you like you are crazy, the pain is not make believe.  Find a compassionate physician.  Good Luck!

[Luna]

Doxie, I have to urinate a lot also. I drink water constantly cause the medication for saliva makes me sick. I sometimes get symptoms first. but most times it just hits me while Im urinating and stays with me for a few while. Its not just when i have held it too long. So that is not it.

Luna

[KatieB]

  I get this too and it is miserable. It also burns like crazy when I go to the bathroom, which is frequently. I've noticed that it seems to happen in the middle of my cycle. I get yeast infections a lot too, and I noticed that when I treated the yeast (just with monistat, usually) my bladder pain got better. I had read that a yeast infection can get into the bladder so I guess it makes sense. I don't know why it's all worse at that time of the month, hormones maybe? If you have any yeast type symptoms you could try it though. Hope it's something simple and you feel better soon.

                                                   KatieB

[Doxie]

It has eased up a bit thank goodness. I guess there are flares and better times. I should start keeping track of what I eat and drink.

Hey Derrie, I started using a heating pad and it has helped! Welcome to the forum, it's a great place!

Katieb, great minds must think alike, because right before your post I had pulled out some diflucan. I keep some pills on hand since I get yeast infections a lot.  I know they did give me antibiotics during and after my surgery.  However, I don't know that I was thinking it might help the bladder though, but I'm game for anything that might help.

I sure appreciate this forum and everyone in here! 

[Carolina]

Yes, it's true that infections make IC much much worse.

So YES, antibiotics can help, as Jazzlover pointed out.

Unfortunately the years of antibiotics I took for my chronic UTIs also caused my peripheral neuropathy.

And the PN is still here long after the chronic UTI and the antibiotic are history.

sigh.

My husband doesn't understand why they don't instill an antibiotic directly into the bladder, but i imagine it wouldn't STAY there long enough to help.

Being healthy, with no infection greatly reduces the pain for me, but this can be a very disabling condition, with all the peeing and then loss of function, damage to the bladder wall and so on.

I guess my idea is that there isn't a CURE for the condition.

I find heat helps during a flare, and exercise (moderate with stretching) in the water works wonders!

Hang in their Doxie, it's just another tricky thing to deal with!

Hugs

Elaine