burning burning burning

[julisuz]

Sorry Doc, this is very long but it's kind of a whole story: About a year ago, I started seeing a urologist for what I thought was an overactive bladder because I woke up 3-4 times a night to urinate.  I was put on detrol for urge incontinence and it worked, but when my husband and I decided to start trying to get pregnant, I went off the med.  About 3 months ago, after we started trying, I got what I thought was a UTI; the first I'd ever had.  I went to a clinic and was put on amox. & an antiseptic even though my urine came back clean, and the culture was also neg.  The burning went away until about a month later when I got it again; more burning when I urinated and immediately after.  So more antiseptic and another culture which was neg.  Then I went to my urologist who did a cystoscopy; found a growth which was benign and diagnosed me with IC.  He said he doesn't want to remove the growth or give me any meds because we are trying to get pregnant and I should just keep an eye on the pain.  About 2 weeks ago, I started itching very very badly around my urethra and then a few days after the itching started, burning during urination.  It went away when I got my period, but now that's over and I'm itching again with slight burning.  What can I do?  I know I should go to my urologist again but what can be done about the burning besides constantly taking the antiseptic?  I'm worried since it's coming back so frequently.  Thanks, I know this is very long but I am concerned.

[MSKshelly]

Some things that might also help you are rinsing off with a peri bottle(Or water bottle with a squirt top) each time you urinate, using only unscented detergents and even rinsing you clothes or anything that comes in contact with that area twice. Do not use dryer sheets, and also when you wash or condition your hair in the shower make sure the you don't let the water run down to that area!!  I can only tolerate Dove unscented soap for sensitive skin!!

Use only cotton under clothes and try not to wear tight fitting pants etc.
Many of us with IC are also very sensitive to the things listed above and avoiding them
can help a lot with the burning etc.I also use MSM gel by Jacob's Lab and Silver Sol gel, Ultimate skin care by American Biotech Labs.

Of course Dr.Burks is right, that you need to have your doctor rule out all of the above problems, but the these are some things you can do that might help along with working with your doctor.

Of course talk to your doctor about anything you try.  I am not a doctor just another IC patient and so can only share with you what has helped me!

Shelly


Shelly Matthewson
Private Researcher
IC Supoort Group Leader
Director of MOARK Interstitial Cystitis
"And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the
called according to His purpose."Romans8:28

[julisuz]

i do have frequency; that's why i was on the detrol.  so should i consider it still IC?  I will go see my obgyn about the itching.  thanks.

[David A Burks, MD]

Hi,
You have a complex history with multiple things going on at the same time.  Something is causing the burning.  It sounds like cultures during the burning are clear of infection.  Your cystoscopy was normal so you may very well have IC, however IC patients have to have urinary frequency or urgency to void.  You didn'' mention either. There are other causes of burning during voiding including an infected periurethral gland or a urethral diverticulum. There is a problem called urethral syndrome, where patients have burning or urethral pain without bladder frequency or urgency. The cause is unknown and treatment is difficult.   Vaginal itching is usually due to a yeast infection, possibly related to antibiotic use. You therefore have a confusing set of symptoms that could fit multiple diagnoses.  You need an eval by a gynecologist to rule out the vaginal infection, and a Urology eval specifically for a urethral diverticulum.  If both are normal and you do have urinary frequency or urgency treatment for IC is appropriate.  Good Luck.