The cob foundation are also knowledgebale on intersticial cystitus. We`re told knowledge of ic is more widespread, yet still fairly unknown by public, with many in health profession knowing little, unfortunately its a underestimated condition, re severity and affect on sufferers life,s, more so before diagnosis, which for some can be a long time. It took me many years of frequent bouts of pain and ill health to get diagnosis and treatment. My symptoms started following csection-sterilisation with slowly diagnosed bacterial cystitus, which l had suffered odd bouts of over several years, which cleared up well with anti bs. My symtoms were a wk of moderate pain, wk severe going onto intense, wk or 2 discomfort, re sore tum, low back pain, frequency aggrevating it, as did newly developed heavy menustration, intercourse, initially diagnosed post op, then hormonal, meds made no difference or worsened it, as d and c, developed bouts of aneamia dizziness, pills then injections for that, frequent thrush and pessaries, affected mentally with anxiety, went on years, a month of antib l wk, pessaries, resulted in mass discharge, pyleitus, my partnership under stress, 1 young kds who despite trying to not let it affect them, lt did to an extent. My gp useless had decided phycalogical l was neurotic hypacondriac, unbelievable when l,d clinical proven symptoms. Next affected inflammation of gall bladder, choicylitus, not stones, removed, finally paid private gynacologist who decided it was my uterus, l had hysterectomy, which only removed one of trigger symptom mentustration, but symptoms of course remained
by which time l was suffering depression, anxiety, in a mess physically and mentally, put on amitriptylene which is reduced frequency which helped a little. Think by this time we,d finally sussed it was urological rather than gynalogical, a new gp referred me to urologist, still 3month xray, 3 month scan, 3month cystascope, nearly a year later for diagnosis of ic, prescribed amitrip again, cimetidine, and support group, all helped though took a few years for symptoms to settle enough to lead a more normal life without ill health and severe pain. l aslo believe due to years of non treatment l,d developed a deep seated infection, due to anti b affect and what the pharmacist told me, about long term meds for bacteria, candida, protozoa, worms, not gps or consultant, Near 13yrs of my life seriously affected, couldnt get it back, my mum died a few weeks after diagnosis, husband following year. also couldnt get back to have more normal healthier livelier times with them. There were many times l felt hate and total contempt for years of incompatence, negligence, in not at least referring me to a urologist sooner when fairly obvious symptoms. l was in my early 50s by the time it had settled well enough to have some normality. The support group, wee ray of hope later cob were a great support, 2 good friends from it over l0yrs, still are, one had urostomy to get normality Now in my mid 60s, and having probs again, simular but different, possibly kidney problems, which can happen due to hbp, but also do question if the years of neglect increased likelyhood. IC varies in symptoms and severity affects, but others have also had serious affects and long wait for diagnosis, hopefully it has improved a bit in understanding and diagnosis treatment. l would say to anyone who has simular persistent symptoms of frequency pain ill health with it, dont be fobbed off, only a cystascope and biopsy will bring definite diagnosis and treatment.
