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Urogynecology (Expert Forum)
IC Causes
Answered by
Lennox Hoyte, M.D. - UroGynecology, Pelvic Surgery
USF College College of Medicine
Tampa - FL
Questions in the Urogynecology forum are answered by medical professionals affiliated with USF Health. Topics covered include overactive bladders, bladder pain, fallen/drooping bladder, bowel urgency, bowel prolapse, cystitis, incontinence, pain with intercourse, rectal prolapse, surgery, urinary urgency, and uterine prolapse.
IC Causes
by nancyj003, Oct 17, 2007 09:48AM
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.
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.
Doctor's Answer
by Lennox Hoyte, M.D., Oct 28, 2007 10:00AM
, Oct 28, 2007 10:00AM
Agree with Free spirit. She is right on target. Look for a qualified pelvic floor physical therapist (not the "kegel only" kind), who can thoroughly evaluate your pelvic floor for active trigger points, and treat you if needed.
If you have never had a urine culture: there is only one kind of urine culture. they let the urine culture over 3-5 days and see what bugs grow out. As an educational point: any "culture" which comes back instantly is not a culture, but only a rapid test for by-products of infection. These can be incorrect often, and should not be relied on in cases like yours where the infection symptoms are persistant.
PLease let the forum know by new post how this works out.
Dr. Hoyte
If you have never had a urine culture: there is only one kind of urine culture. they let the urine culture over 3-5 days and see what bugs grow out. As an educational point: any "culture" which comes back instantly is not a culture, but only a rapid test for by-products of infection. These can be incorrect often, and should not be relied on in cases like yours where the infection symptoms are persistant.
PLease let the forum know by new post how this works out.
Dr. Hoyte
Member Comments (2)
by free spirit, Oct 17, 2007 02:11PM
If your symptoms are just pubic discomfort and pressure perhaps it's a pelvic muscle issue and not IC. Tightness in the pelvic floor muscles or nearby regions can cause IC symptoms. Try to find a physical therapist that deals with pelvic pain. This way you can rule out the muscles as the cause of the pain or get proper treatment if it is.
