Bladder

[RR21]

I feel like ever since I really started to experience significant bladder issues they have just not stopped. At this point I almost cant remember what it feels like not to have to pee. Sometimes I get relief for maybe 36 hours. Just long enough for me to be like oh wait maybe I feel ok.. I think that the last reprieve I had from any serious discomfort was for a beautiful sweet 3 weeks in April. The last week or so I have not been experiencing any burning in my pelvis (pretty standard for me) but I have been feeling like my bladder is being twisted up to be rung out like a washcloth. I also wonder if maybe my uterus is swollen pushing on it or affecting my bladder somehow to cause this sensation, since it is on top. I wake up atleast once a night in urgent aching pressure because I need to empty my bladder (doesnt really stop it just improves) and I can only sleep in the morning until I can no longer stand the feeling of laying on my swollen bladder (uterus). When the aches get really bad they go down the inside of my thighs and can go halfway up my back. I feel like I would rather have pain than this discomfort.

Sorry for the wall of text I really cant talk about this with anyone and an impending drs apt is making me nervous.

[Sast]

Sounds like you’re having a rough time. I find dairy products makes my bladder symptoms so much worse. But bladder problems aren’t easy are they. Hope you find some answers x

[Katinldn]

Sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. I would see if you could get a referral to a urologist and ask them about interstitial cystitis. It is an inflammatory bladder disease that usually appears in women that also have endo. It can cause terrible bladder pain, especially when the bladder is full, an irritable bladder and the need to pee constantly, despite not really emptying your bladder. You feel like you constantly have a water infection but without the actual infection. Sadly, like endo there is no cure, but it can be managed through diet and some medical interventions. The only way to accurately diagnose is to take a biopsy of the bladder so you need specialist intervention. I was diagnosed over 10 years ago and although I get flare ups, I thankfully have been able to manage the day to day symptoms. Your symptoms sounded quite similar so might be worth investigating. Hope you get some relief xxx

[RR21]

Thanks for the replies ladies. I believe it is IC aswell. Funnily enough of all the things my horrible gyno ignored and didn't believe me about she suggested IC right away, although no referral to a urologist... I am planning on looking into a diet change, probably consisting of eliminating one thing at a time until I find a trigger. Though the idea of being dairy free leaves me tearful lol.

[Sast in reply to RR21]

I should have said yogurt is my worst, and things like sour cream, sourdough. Hopefully you’ll get some relief x

[Katinldn]

Although the diet change can seem intimidating a first, there are so many dairy free options out there now which, makes the transition a little easier. Caffeine is a huge trigger for me and sadly alcohol (anything with high acidity like wine and prosecco) although pleased to report gin is absolutely fine A lot of people with IC also find tomato’s to be a real trigger too. Urostemol (natural over the counter tablets) have really helped me massively when I have a flare up as opposed to relying on antibiotics all of the time. Hope the diet changes start providing you with some relief xxx