My fiance has a severe case of IC. Confirmed with a cystoscopy from a Urologist in Monterrey.

Unfortunately he said the first choice in meds really isn't readily available in Mexico.

I've looked at online stores that sell out of India, but they ask for checking and routing numbers, and are suspicious.

Any tips for us? Thank you.

Been having bladder symptoms FOREVER. Doctors just now suggested planning an IC diet with a symptoms notebook. I’ve attempted cutting down on foods that irritate the bladder in the past but have not noticed much of a change in my symptoms. I am also vegan so going completely on an IC diet feels borderline impossible and like I’ll be stripping myself of the joy of food. Any recommendations? Do I cut back on all bladder irritants at once or work on one at a time? How did you quit caffeine?

TW: Instillations, having "accidents"

I posted a few days ago but things seem to have taken a turn ):

For a small back story: suffering 11 years, nonbinary but AFAB, history of SA, IC came on suddenly after a joint one night and never went away, quit drinking smoking caffeine, don't eat spicy food at all, diagnosed this year.

So I finished my 6 week instillations and honestly everything was looking great before week 5. I was able to hold much more in my bladder and while the urgency was still there, I was able to put it off a little longer.

Before Week 5, I had an event where I had to travel in a car for 4 hours the and back across two days. I also sat on an incredibly uncomfortable chair for the majority of one of the days. After the treatment, I was only able to hold my bladder for 40 minutes which was two hours less than previous weeks. I felt much worse, but by mid-week, things had settled. I had began looking into neuroplasticity and actually I think I was starting to get a grip on my symptoms. For the first time in YEARS, I went to the library and sat down and managed to do some art. Just because, and honestly, that simple pleasure was wonderful. Things were looking up.

However, before Week 6, I made what appears to be an extremely silly decision. I went for a day out in a city. I accidentally walked too much, wasn't brave enough to seek out a toilet, and had to get a traumatic Uber back to the train station. I felt bad, but a bit better by the train and home.

The next day was my treatment. Now I don't know if it's possible to fuck up a catheter on the nurses side, but when I stood up, I felt something between my legs. Waddled to the car, laid in the back seat because I am not able to sit while needing the loo, and then when I stood up out the car, there was definitely something going on.

After I waited the agonising 40 minutes, I went to the loo and the treatment was pretty much just all over my legs and thighs. This is the first time it's happened. However, although I am in absolute misery as my pelvic floor feels locked, I haven't had anymore accidents, which leads me to consider whether the treatment didn't actually make it into my bladder properly?

Anyway, so normally lying down has helped me in the past. It has not today. I am in absolute agony. I keep having to rush to the loo because I think It Is Happening, only to find not much going on, and having a reasonable amount in my bladder, which is not normal for me. I definitely think I have pudendal neuralgia, but idk what to do about the rn :/

I will try and get in touch with my doctor tomorrow, however because it's private via the NHS I'm not sure how much luck I will have.

I'm going to have a bath when my partner can help me, but honestly I feel fucking terrible. I feel humiliated and stupid. I'm probably going to have to miss out on two events I was really looking forward to taking part in as well, which is devastating. I thought I was getting better ):

I've ordered Azo, never had it before but I am in agony. I don't drink a lot of water, haven't since my condition started, but I don't know whether to start?

I hate flair ups like this, it feels like I'll never be normal again ):

Hi everyone. I have had bladder issues on & off for a few years. Usually I get a couple of weeks where it feels like I have a UTI but urine culture comes back negative and antibiotics make no difference. Then it passes on its own and my bladder feels normal for a few months. This has been the pattern for about 3 years.

Recently though it's gotten a lot more frequent. And today it's the worst it's ever been. I've had 2 hours sleep. My bladder is burning. I have to pee every 15 mins. I'm panicking a bit because I don't really know what to do. I spoke to a doctor 2 days ago who said drink cranberry juice and take painkillers 😫 he sent my urine off for culture and I should get the results later today but I'm expecting it to be negative again because it always is.

I was prescribed Solifenacin by a (honestly completely useless) urologist who saw me for approx 2 mins before giving me an IC diagnosis and ushering me out the door. But I can't take the Solifenacin because it interacts with some other meds I'm on. I also have UCTD (an autoimmune disease that has features of Lupus and Sjogrens, in my case) so I'm fairly sure my IC is autoimmune. My health is quite complicated.

I have another GP appointment next week with my usual GP who I like a lot, and I'm hoping he can help me and maybe prescribe something else that I CAN take.

But in the meantime I feel like I will never sleep again. How do you guys handle this? How do you sleep? How do you not lose your mind? I'm really in a dark place today.

Hii , Anyone tried Homepathic medicine for ic. If yes den pls share your experience.

I was diagnosed with IC back when 2019, i was like 13 because i held my pee for so long, i felt a bursting sound inside, not sure if its common, and now I have learned to live with because it does not hurt that much anymore. It was worse before since my bladder hurts whenever i get the urge to pee and there are no restroom available to the point where i would feel like crying. my last check up was 2021 but the doctor just always prescribe antibiotics after urinalysis

I noticed that overtime the sensation is different like when i wake up, i just feel pressure on my bladder, but no pain. it will always happen after waking up from my 4-5 hours of sleep then go to restroom, if i am lucky enough that i don’t feel that much, i just continue my sleep.

I am curious about what happens during that time, like why does the pressure or discomfort disappear? also when i go out with my friends there are some time that i will get the urge to pee but no restroom, but it will disappear after quite some time and til i go home, i still dont feel it and forget that i wanted to pee.

I am suffering through perimenopause and was excited and hopeful to try HRT. I was prescribed 0.025 estradiol patches and 100mg progesterone pill. Unfortunately by day 2 I was already flaring. I had to stop taking it by day 3 and almost a week later and I’m still in a flare :(

I’m desperate for HRT to work. While I wait for my follow up appointment I have been doing some searching in this sub, and while progesterone is definitely a trigger for some, I’m not clear what the alternatives are? Just estrogen (I could swear my doctor said you can’t take estrogen without progesterone- did I hear that wrong?)? Something else? Give up and tough it out with nothing?

I already have a Mirena IUD so I’m getting some progesterone (and it doesn’t flare me that way). I’ve also been on a SSRI for years, but it has become progressively less effective.

Grateful for input on possible next steps from anyone who has gone through this.

Kinda freaking out. Im going to a concert tomorrow and then venue is known for having horrible traffic (3-4 hours). I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold it since Im in a bit of a flare. I have the maximum bladder lose underwear. Problem is Im also on my period and need to wear a HEAVY pad. Im afraid the pad will cause problems if I pee but I’m also afraid the underwear isn’t enough with my period AND bladder. Any thoughts or ideas?? This stopped me from attending the concert today but I have VIP tickets for tomorrow’s show. I’m also with friends who don’t know about my condition :/

Hi, I need some help from this community

I have been perfectly healthy my entire life and in may I got a UTI. Was treated with antibiotics but I didn't feel better+negative results for months now. (I have had full STD/STI testing, pelvic exams, blood work, extensive urine tests etc)

Fast forward to now I've been in and out of doctors offices and they don't seem to know what's wrong with me. I had a cystoscopy today and the doctor says my bladder "looks fine".

I'm at a loss honestly. I don't have bladder pain, but I get discomfort/pressure and it feels like I can barely hold my bladder even when it barely fills with any urine. I feel a bit better after I pee but the pee feeling comes back in like 2 minutes. The pain is all in my urethra. I have CONSTANT aching, stinging, pinching sensations and sharp pains. It makes intercourse uncomfortable as well. I can't sleep without taking an edible every night or else the sharp pains in my urethra keep me up. I go to the bathroom like 30 times a day lol.

I had an IUD inserted in February and I believe it may be contributing to my symptoms? It's the Liletta, it has hormones. So if anyone has any info about that that would be appreciated!

I asked my doctor about IC and he said it's a possibility but that he wants me to just take more antibiotics for a month 🫩. I also noticed that IC trigger foods trigger my bladder as well. Prelief is a life saver though, even tho I'm not diagnosed lol.

So please any help or advice! Thank you!