Unexplained Bladder Urgency

[dirl0221]

I have been experiencing bladder issues on and off for about 2 1/2 years now. It started with a burning pain similar to a UTI before my period. I saw an Urologist who said he wanted to do a Cystoscopy but then I got pregnant and all my symptoms went away so I let it go. Right after my 6 week check up after having my daughter the burning pain started again. I began seeing another Urologist who told me that I needed pelvic floor physical therapy.At that time though I became pregnant again. It ended up being a blighted ovum but my symptoms became dormant again for several months. When they flared up again the only thing I could find to relieve it was being on the pill and drinking baking soda any time the burning feeling started. Then in April 2010 I began having severe urgency without frequent urination because I didn't have anything in there to void. The only pain present was the occasional burning that I had and voiding DID NOT relieve the urgency symptoms so I began the pelvic floor PT. I attended 7 times and had no relief (biofeedback indicated that my muscle tone was fine and I continue to do the stretches) so the Urologist suggested a Cysto with DMSO instillation. The instillation made the symptoms worse but the doctor still made me do it again which made it even worse. At that point she told me (after only roughly 2 months) that she could no longer help me. So, I saw another Urologist who told me to drink more water and prescribed sodium bicarbonate pills. The sodium bicarb has completely eliminated the burning sensation that I used to get (it has been 6 months since I experienced that) but the urgency is still there. The next time I saw him, he told me I was drinking too much water and I should cut back, but still prescribed Elmiron in the event that would help. In the meantime I was experiencing recurrent yeast infections so I decided to see an Urogynecologist who did an Urodynamic study. While inserting the 2nd catheter he poked something and I began having intense pain and urgency in my bladder so I was only able to take a small amount of fluid being inserted before I had to void. Because of that he diagnosed me with Interstitial Cystitis, although that test did not accurately reflect my normal urinary habits in a day. When I returned to my other Urologist he told me that the diagnosis of IC was unreliable based on the test and the fact that I can go 3-4 hours before going to the bathroom during the day and only go 2-3 times at night means that I couldn't possibly have IC. A few weeks ago we moved and I went 8 hours without urinating. Some days the urgency is more intense than others and some days are more manageable than others. I no longer have pain, I have no pain with intercourse and routinely (depending on what I drink) go 3-4 hours, sometimes more, without urinating. However, I ALWAYS feel as if I have to go. Sometimes it is very intense and sometimes it's just a vague feeling like I have go. The only times I feel any relief are sometimes when I lay on my back and sometimes when I feel as if I have to have a bowel movement. They know that I am fully emptying my bladder, so this is not a problem either. I am at the end of my rope here. I am not getting any answers and nothing that I have taken has given me any results. I have tried many medications for overactive bladder which have all given me retention and I have been on the Elmiron for 2 1/2 months with no positive results either. I don't know where to turn or what to do next. I can't live like this forever and have actually researched having my bladder removed. That would be a more positive alternative to me than living like this. I am a 34 year old woman in fine health with 2 little kids and this is no way to live. I guess my question is, what could this be and what should I do now?

[dirl0221]

I forgot to mention that during my Cystoscopy they found no lesions and also found that I have good bladder capacity. I don't know if this is relevant information or not but I thought I would mention it. I am frustrated because I can't get any answers and would just rather have my bladder taken out than deal with this.

[blueyedbelle]

It still sounds like IC to me. I have IC and there are days where I can go a few hours without having to pee. There are even the occasional nights where I sleep through without having to go. Some days are better then others.