How do you know if it is interstitial... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

59,987 members67,154 posts

How do you know if it is interstitial cystitis or a urinary infection?

FoggyMoggy profile image
23 Replies

I am taking antibiotics as I couldn't get to the GP last week but I had the typical groin pains associated with an infection. So the duty doctor prescribed some antibiotics over the phone. I'm halfway through them already and although energy wise I feel better today, the frequency has increased again. I suffer with frequency anyway but my bladder feels really irritable. Just to say although I've never been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, when I went to the bladder clinic a few years ago the expert said my symptoms etc were consistent with IC.

Thanks in advance

Written by
FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
23 Replies
Greenpeace profile image
Greenpeace

Hi there,

I have never suffered from ICC, but I've had plenty of UTI's.

I have posted this link to NHS Choices web site and it describes the symptoms of ICC. nhs.uk/Conditions/interstit.... It states that people with Fibro are prone to having this condition.

I hope this can be of some help to you, and that you begin to feel better soon as it is miserable having other problems along with Fibro.

Take care.

GP.😊

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply toGreenpeace

Thanks GP. Yes sometimes I've had IC and sometimes an infection, or I thought they were infections but they could have been IC all along.

Take care

Moggy :)

peck profile image
peck in reply toGreenpeace

Thanks for the Web site GP.I found it very helpful as well.Have a good day!!! Peck🐤

peck profile image
peck

I read the Web site Greenpeace posted below and found it very interesting.Im no dr. But from what I read you should take ALL antibiotics given by Dr if at that time your no better could very posdibly be IC.If you haven't read you should as I feel it may answer your question.Good luck.Peck🐤

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi FoggyMoggy

I am so genuinely sorry to read this and I sincerely hope that you can find some resolution to this issue. I have just read the link that Greenpeace pasted on and from those symptoms below I would say that I suffer with all of these? I am currently on a water tablet and my GP says that my prostrate is enlarged! It is not a pleasant thing to suffer with my friend:

Symptoms of interstitial cystitis

The main symptoms of interstitial cystitis are:

intense pelvic pain (felt below your bellybutton)

sudden, strong urges to pee

needing to pee more often than normal

waking up several times during the night to go to the toilet

From reading the links there are at least some treatments that you could try? I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck with this, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply toTheAuthor

Hi Ken

Very sorry to hear that. Yes, I have all those symptoms too (well, apart from the enlarged prostate, of course!

But dropped off a urine sample at the surgery earlier and it's come back positive with blood, leukacytes and protein, so I may have an infection.

Best wishes to you

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply toFoggyMoggy

Thanks FoggyMoggy

I saw a Urologist less than a year ago and he said he didn't want to do any invasive testing unless it got worse because of my other health problems. I may go back as it is getting worse.

I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck with your results. and I sincerely hope that it all goes well for you.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

Hi FoggyMoggy ,

What a timely post - Sorry i don't have any answers to offer because - I'm off to see my gp for exactly the same problem. So the replies you have recieved are very helpful.

I wish you luck with finding out what it is.

Hugs xx

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply to

Thanks Ladygelf and best of luck with yours too! Let us know how you got on

I dropped in a urine sample at the surgery earlier and it's come back positive with blood, leukacytes and protein, so I may have an infection. I have to wait until tomorrow to see if I need more antibiotics.

(((hugs)))

Moggy

in reply toFoggyMoggy

Hi FoggyMoggy ,

UTI confirmed yesterday, on 3 day course of anit b's. Sh said she didnt want to put me on a longer course - which is fine with me. I'm resting and drinking plenty water - multiple trips to the loo (usual for me). Glad its not IC.

Hope you feel better soon.

Love and hugs xx

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply to

Best wishes Ladygelf. Yes, hope it clear up soon. My results from the lab aren't in yet so am still waiting. I have a lot of groin pain from all the activity down there :(

(((hugs))) xxx

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

Your GP must send off a sample for the lab to culture, if bacteria is present then a sensitivity test will show which antibiotic is appropriate, no point in taking random antibiotics if you don't know the strain of bacteria. There is a huge increase in the number of antibiotic resistant infections so it's vital to only take the correct one when needed.

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply tobantam12

Yes I dropped off a urine sample at the surgery earlier and it's come back positive with blood, leukacytes and protein, so I may have an infection. They will send it off to the lab for testing and then see what antibiotics it's sensitive to. The ones I'm on at the moment don't seem to be making a difference. I was doing better just drinking lots of water but I was worried about it getting worse last weekend so needed an urgent prescription

Sorebones profile image
Sorebones

ICC is nasty. Not had it myself but I had a chronic kidney infection so can understand your dilemma. Take a sample with you and go back to your GP. Always best to rule out the easy thing before being referred to urology. You don't want to put yourself through a cystoscopy if you don't have to. Hope you get some relief soon. Feel for you hun 🐸

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply toSorebones

Thanks for your kind words, Sorebones. I dropped off a urine sample at the surgery earlier and it's come back positive with blood, leukacytes and protein, so I may have an infection. They're sending it off to the lab but after peeing all night I could only manage a concentrated dribble this morning, typical! I'll ring tomorrow to see if I need more antibiotics or what.

Moggy x

fibo profile image
fibo

I myself have what seem to be cystitis and after a few year's I saw a homeopathy who sorted me out with a remedy I always keep it with just in case but much much better 😇😆

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply tofibo

Glad to hear that, Fibo. You have to find something what works for you and I'm glad you have found something :)

Hi

I'd still go and see the dr and get a diagnosis.

I have irritable bladder which I'm told is due to fibro and take a med to ease it.

Best wishes and good luck.

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy in reply to

Thanks Fibropop

I actually dropped off a urine sample at the surgery earlier and it's come back positive with blood, leukacytes and protein, so I may have an infection. They need to test it in the lab and will have the results tomorrow

in reply toFoggyMoggy

Good. Hope they can treat you now. Good luck 😊

FoggyMoggy profile image
FoggyMoggy

Hi

I actually dropped off a urine sample at the surgery earlier and it's come back positive with blood, leukacytes and protein, so I may have an infection. They need to test it in the lab and will have the results tomorrow.

Many thanks

lynsu profile image
lynsu

Generally with i.c you dont get bacteria in urine sample, symptoms of frquency and pain caused more by inflammation, but you can get blood in sample if inflammation very bad it bleeds a bit, most with ic get pin point hemmorages. Usually the urine isnt as cloudy as it would be with bacteria in it, but both cause frequency and pain, though bacterial cysititus causes more dragging pain on actualy passing small strong amounts. You will know for def if sample shows bacteria in it, and right anti b clears it up. The only definite way of diagnosing ic is with cystascope. The c.o.b site specialise and have lots of info advice. Some with ic do get fibro. Hope you get results and anti b to clear it up, good luck.

loppyloo61 profile image
loppyloo61

Hi Foggymoggy, nice to meet you? I was diagnosed with IC a couple of years ago by my Urologist, horrid condition! He advised me to go on a Course of Treatment called Cysastat, which I have every 2 weeks or weekly, depending on my symptoms & how I feel?! I don"t know if you are aware of this Treatment but it has made such a positive impact on all the UTI"s I was having monthly! I would finish one Course of Antibiotics & within 5 days my UTI was back?! It is a solution of Cystatat they infuse via a Catheter, it is not @ all invasive & well worth travelling over hours drive to the hospital to receive it?! I don"t know if you are under the care of a Urologist, but if you are perhaps you could mention this Treatment to him/her?

I have tried so many Treatments over the past years with Bladder problems and this is by far the most effective one! I now have some sort of life, instead of being laid up with chronic UTI"s every month!!

Good luck if you do decide to ask for this Treatment? Some patients only have to have it twice a year to be effective, depending on severity of your circumstances with your bladder problems?!

In my thoughts and prayers

Many blessings

Lynn XX :)

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

How do you know?

Morning, New here and want to know how do you actually get a diagnosis? I've put my symptoms into...
Laney33 profile image

How do you know which is which......

or don't you? I've got fibro and osteo-arthritis and aches and pains just about everywhere but I...

Pain- how do you know what is bad?

I am new to the forum and I'm wondering if anyone else sometimes thinks they are either...
Volatileval profile image

CFS - how do you know if you've got it?

How do you know if the fatigue you get is fibro fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome? I am tired so...
Kirby profile image

How do you find a balance?

Ok so after having one of the worst days ive ever had pain wise on Saturday since I started off...

Moderation team

See all
Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministrator
Lynda_FMA_UK profile image
Lynda_FMA_UKModerator
Sarah_fmauk profile image
Sarah_fmaukModerator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.