Hello.
I tested positive on the PST, but was wondering if I could still benefit from treatment with an antibiotic. When I had my first flare, in January, I went on Cipro for another condtion (at that time my IC was undiagnosed) and my symptoms (I do not have urgency, just pubic discomfort and pressure) went away. After the Cipro course, they came back worse than before. I then had five months of no symptoms, but since June, have had symptoms.
Could a "broth culture" (one of the urine cultures that are allowed to grow for a long time) be helpful to find bacteria that could be causing the trouble (my urine cultures come back normal) and possibly lead to treatment with an antibiotic?
Finally, my urogyno prescribed Elmiron. Is this a good way to protect the bladder from further damage and therefore delay progression of the disease?
I guess I'm hoping that my problems are not IC, but some kind of low-grade infection that does not show up on standard cultures.
Thanks.