Interstitial Cystitis

[miracleabie]

Has anyone out there heard of this condition?I think it is also called overactive bowel syndrome.I have spent 3.5 years trying to find out what has been causing low abdominal pain and frequent urgent visits to the loo.( 20+ times a day)It has made my life a complete misery and now because of the pain sex is impossible. I have had tests for everything you could imagine from apendicitis to every type of gynae exam imaginable. I have been admitted to hospital 4 times and seen at least 4 different specialists.Sent home with paracetamol. The gp gave me an antibiotic for UTI but it has not had any effect.I can't sleep properly because of having to get up to go to the loo every 20 minutes. I found some sites on the web about IC and now wonder what it is and whether I have it. My GP admitted last week that he is at a loss. I have meade an app at the GUM clinic to rule out any STI- most unlikely as I have been with my husband for 4 years and been unable to face intercourse for the last 2.5
Help anyone..

well i have just had cystitis but don´t know anything about interstitial cystitis... its hard to type thats for sure

Have you gone to see a homeopath, tried natural remedies to help soothe your bowel.

There is some stuff in Angela Kilmartin's excellent book "Understanding Cystitis". From what I remember it is chronic cystitis with no underlying bacterial infection cause. I worked with someone once who went through very hard times before getting a diagnosis, as it sounds as though you have, Miracleabie. From what you describe it sounds as though it is worth further investigation. Presumably all the tests and appointments you had did not look specifically at IC as the cause of your horrible symptoms?
Maybe the GUM clinic staff may know of someone working in this field to whom you can get a referral. Good luck and huge sympathies.