Dear All
just a word of warning/advice for those of you contemplating a hysterectomy due to urinary problems.
My story in 'brief' - I first started to experience problems with what appeared to be a UTI in November 2013. Ongoing problems with what appeared to be recurrent UTIs (never confirmed by lab culture) and frequency and urgency persisted and worsened. I was advised by GP that problems most likely to be gynae-related. I previously had a problem with fibroids and had a myomectomy in 2006. In July 2014 I went back to consultant who performed the myomectomy who advised that large fibroid pressing on bladder and recommended hysterectomy. In August 2014 I had another bad 'UTI' which lasted 2 weeks and went back to consultant and said that I was concerned that something else was going on. He sent me for a renal and pelvic ultrasound which came back clear and recommended again hysterectomy. Anyway, in desperation I had the hysterectomy in November 2014 and there has been no improvement in my symptoms. The consultant seemed rather 'put out' when I told him this at the post-op review in January 2015 and tried to dismiss it as first an 'overactive bladder' or another UTI. Rather annoying!
Anyway 3 months off work, hormonal madness due to pre-op Zoladex and thousands of pounds in private medical bills and I am no better off. Back to GPs (who are completely uninterested) and politely demanded referral to urologist (which again I am paying for privately). He thankfully appears to understand the impact that a bladder condition has on one's career and quality of life. He thinks it may be interstitial cystitis and I am due to have a cystoscopy next week . What joy!
I know that I am not critically ill but I don't think it is unreasonable for a previously healthy and active 44-year old woman, to want to
be able to function normally. Think I may now take up drinking, smoking and eating badly so I might develop a condition that ticks one of the GP boxes and merits some attention!
Anyway I have posted my story not to be alarmist but in the hope that someone out there will benefit from my mistakes. Trust your gut instinct and if in doubt try to get a second opinion.
Best wishes.
Hi PrincessPuffy
So sorry to hear about your terrible experiences. I am currently waiting for my hysterectomy, so they can sort out my cystoele. stitch up my bladder and probably bowel too!. I have an over active bladder, I was going every 20 mins and through adding a minute at a time have managed to get to 3 hours. I could not take any of the medications because of the terrible side effects. They were not going to operate until I strengthened my bladder, they said it was as weak as tissue paper, being 64 so I suppose everything gets well worn! I have given up a lot of foods that irrirated the bladder, and I don't eat wheat, gluten, sugar or lactose, which helps quite a bit. Also my husband noticed that if I drunk anything carbonated it really caused bad problems in the bladder. I have had no more infections since I gave up the bubbles!
They have not guaranteed that I will be any better, as the bladder and bowel get quite a bit of bad treatment while they are sorting everything out nearly the op, and spelled it out big style that I could end up with a bag! (My worst nightmare). But I have done everything I can, with keeping fit, and doing my kegels so I am hoping this op will put me right! I realise it is a risk, but sometimes you just have to! There have been a lot of success stories on this forum which have cheered me on, but having read your story it does bring it home that not everyone gets even half way fixed.
So sorry to hear it has cost you so much money and still to be suffering. You are certainly very right, it is definitely not unreasonable to want to be normal and not have your life ruined by this problem.
Love
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui
Many thanks for your kind words. They are a comfort.
I am currently following the IC diet and taking Betmiga prescribed by the urologist. 1 week in and so far no effects - good or bad!
Everyone is different and I really hope that your operation is
successful. At least you are well informed and under no
illusions. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best outcome.
Please let me know how you get on.
I'll be thinking of you.
Best Wishes
Emma
Hi Emma
What is the IC diet? I have made up my own, by trial and error. Thaat is the trouble with bladder problems no two people are alike and it is a minefield discovering what upsets it and how badly. 
I really do hope you get some relief, and that someone can pinpoint what is upsetting your system and put it right, wouldn't that be lovely. Hang on in there Emma.
The Hyster sisters on this site are wonderful and very helpful, so stay tuned. Good luck with your cystoscopy next week.
Love
Jacqui 
Hi Jacqui
It is basically an elimination diet, similar to what you are doing.
I got guidance from the Interstitial Cystitis Association -
www.ichelp.org.
Early days yet but hopefully it will help. As you say it is a case of
individual trial and error but it is good to get some overall
guidance. It is surprising how many healthy foods and drinks
may aggravate a bladder. That said I am probably particularly
grumpy at the minute due to lack of coffee and chocolate!
Thanks for your good wishes. Hopefully this time next week I will
know what I am dealing with.
Take Care
Emma
Hi Emma
It looks like there is no 'quick fix' for these problems, I thought maybe you had come across a plan where it is was all worked out for you, but I think the only way is the elimination path, slow though it is, and difficult sometimes working out just what is causing the irritation!
I know how you feel giving up chocolate and coffee. 
In Spain when I was going through a particularly bad menopause, the consultant I saw swore by giving up coffee, chocolate and alcohol! In Spain they believe menopause is natural and it is man made manufactured food and drink that cause the problems. Well it worked (I had 6 months of hell giving up coffee,
the side effects were unbelievable, alcohol no problem which surprised me!) and all my symptoms disappeared in a week, the consultant was definitely my hero. Now with the bladder trying to rule my life I have eliminated quite a lot of food, I don't eat anything manufactured at all, I make everything myself and I must admit (bladder apart) I feel absolutely great. I slip up occasionally by having too much fruit (my absolute favourite!) my bladder will only tolerate a certain amount. I thought originally it was certain fruits and I was down to just an apple, when I was reading the GI Loading book (my blood sugar seems to work alongside my bladder, if my blood sugar is out then my bladder plays up!) which said it is the quantity of fruit not specific fruits which tip the balance so reduced amount and I can get away with small amounts of berries, grapes and pomegranate seeds but only small amounts. Luckily blueberries are fine, lots of them do not seem to upset anything. The real acid fruits though are a no no, along with dried fruits which I love.
I really hope you get some answers and treatment to make everything right for you.
Love
Jacqui 