Hello. I am hopeful you will be able to give me some insight, as I am very discouraged.
About 2.5 weeks ago I went to a walk-in clinic (family doctor) for a sinus infection. While there, I told her that I did have some pressure (urethra area) and urinated frequently at night.
She did an in-office urine test and noticed moderate blood in the urine, but none of the other markers that would indicate a UTI. She started me on Bactrim, but after two doses I stopped taking it because it made me nauseated. (At this point, I had no serious bladder symptoms.) I returned to the doctor and she put me on Cipro. I noticed that when I was on Cipro even the minimal pressure in the urethra was gone.
After 10 days on the Cirpro, I returned to re-test my urine. There was still blood in the urine so she ordered an ultrasound scan of the bladder and kidneys. In a day or two I started developing increasingly worse UTI-type ymptoms and returned to her office to request Macrobid -- thinking I had a UTI. At that visit I asked if she had cultured the first urine sample. She had not, so I gave another sample that day.
After three days on the Macrobid the symptoms were worsening (in the past, Macrobid had always cleared up my UTIs -- I had several asymptomatic UTIs while pregnant). I went back and she said the culture showed no infection. She mentioned that I might have interstitial cystitis. She was waiting to get the results of the scan before treating me for IC.
She was to call me today to let me know if I should fill a presciption she gave me for IC.
I am in great discomfort tonight, in the urethra area, the bladder and above the bladder. I even took an AZO and the relief lasted only 3 hours.
I am wondering, can IC come on this fast? I went in for a sinus infection and after taking the Bactrim, and then the Cipro I am in great discomfort. Should I go straight to a urologist? Tomorrow is Friday and I need some relief before the weekend. Should I get back on Cipro?
I am mad at myself for even worrying about the sinus infection, if the treatment is what caused the bladder to flare.
Thank you very much for your help. As I said, I know this is a minor problem in the scope of things, but it is impossible to sleep and it is affecting my daily life and duties.