Bladder damage???? Please help!!!

[Nat256]

I am a 30 year old married female. I have suffered from multiple UTI infections and bladder infections since I was about 19 years old. I usually average two a year although in my younger years I would have these infections sometimes four to five times per year. A few months ago I had a very painful bladder infection. Whenever I get a UTI or bladder infection I always have debilitating bladder spasms. So when I started having the spams this last time I immediately took a pill that was prescribed by my family doctor to essentially numb my bladder. These spasms were much worse though than anything that I have experienced before and I ended up having to take quite a bit of pain medication just to make it through the weekend before I could get to see my OB/GYN that Tuesday. I took every last one of my antibiotics and that was a month and half to two months ago. Since then though I have been experiencing frequent urges to go and some mild pain that I would typically associate with a bladder infection. My question is, is it possible that I either have a.) caused damage to my bladder due to the infection or b.) might possibly have something else going on here or could I just be so afraid of another UTI infection that this is "all in my head"?  I also want to mention that this past spring I was referred to a urologist by my OB/GYN because I thought I had a UTI infection and the urologist didn't even examine me but asked what medication I was on. I told him Claritin for my allergies and he said to stop taking all of my allergy and sinus medication immediately because that was the cause. He didn't examine me and said that because of my age it is highly unlikely that I had any problems. Could someone please help me out here?

[MSKshelly]

it is possible that you have either chronic cystitis or Interstitial cystitis.
I have IC and am an IC support group leader as well.  The often give us
antihistamines to help with IC bladder pain BUT decongestants are known
to cause and increase bladder pain or spasms.

We have a new IC forum that might help you here on facebook as well
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Interstitial-Cystitis-IC--Pelvic-Pain-Support-Forum/show/412

There also an IC expert forum with a doc there who has real compassion for those of us with IC too!
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Interstitial-Cystitis-/show/264

I hope you will join both, and we can help you.

I will also pm you so links to info.of IC as a well.  There are many articles on our website to help you deal with the bladder pain and spasms whether you have iC or not.  Some quick self-help tips though are things:
Be careful not to eat acidic or spicy foods etc.
The big food triggers for bladder pain are tomatoes, cranberry, caffeine including
coffee and chocolate, (no fun I know, white chocolate is OK), Spicy foods, alcohol and smoking.  There is a whole IC diet you can find on the site as well.

Also there are several over the counter bladder meds. for bladder pain. One is AZO, which is the same as prescription pyridium, Uristat or Cystex are some others. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these are OK for you to take but they
are can offer you some relief now!

I hope this helps, you are not alone and your frustration is the norm sadly for many of us with IC!

Shelly