urgent need to urinate for two weeks now

[lahooty]

hi,
im a 24 year old female. For the past two in a half weeks now . Ive had the urgency to go to the washroom quite frequently to urinate.  It is the worst when its bed time. I cant sleep because I litterly have to go the washroom every 5 minutes.(even though its like 2 drops) Its not too bad in the day compared to the night because im awake and I dont need to concentrate on holding it in. But its still a problem in the day. Going every 15 min to 30 min.
Ive already been to the doctors. He gave me a 7 day antibiotics before testing my pee for infections. Well today is day 8 and i still have the same problem even after i finished all my pills. I really need help. Im not getting any sleep. The only thing that seems to help me sleep for several hours is if i have sexual intercourse right before i go to bed.I really dont know what to do. My next doctors appoinment is 4 days away and i dont think i can last that long! please help. The lack of sleep is really wearing me down.

[MSKshelly]

Between now and your appointment I would try a few self help things that might
help you make through!  That said if you have a fever or suspect an infection go to
an Urgent Care etc. tomorrow and don't just let it go.  A UTI can go into the kidney and make you really sick!  It is not something to ignore!

In the meantime, use only unscented detergents, and mile soap like Dove unscented
for sensitive skin.  Rinse off each every time you urinate with a peri-bottle or a water bottle with a squirt top!  Also avoid really spicy or acidic foods like tomatoes or cranberries, hot spices, caffeine and soda.

I would highly encourage you to avoid the nightly sex to rest.
  It is very likely connected with the need to urinate, that you have an over arousal of the clitoral area.  This is often connected with pdf or even in many Interstitial Cystitis Patients.  It is the  issues often not spoken about, however is really annoying and frustrating. I may be totally off here but if it is that, the intercourse actually then causes that are to feel a pain like pressure that is better then the over stimulation and sensitivity.BUT it is a vicious cycle that helps but then also increase the symptoms and the feeling of the need to urinate.  I would suggest soaking in a warm bath before bed and apply ice to the area afterward.  I have small IC packs and they fit on that area and can be worn indiscreetly under you undergarments too.

There are several over the counter medications that are to calm the bladder as well, AZO, Uristat and Cystex.  Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these are OK for you and won't interact with other medications!

Hope that helps!  We do have a new forum started for IC and Pelvic Pain Patients
as well. I hope you will consider joining with us there also!

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Interstitial-Cystitis-IC--Pelvic-Pain-Support-Forum/show/412
Keep in touch and let us know how your doing!

Shelly

PS I AM NOT A DOCTOR, JUST ANOTHER IC PATIENTS AND SUPPORT GROUP LEADER!