You, Your Bladder is on Fire

Many women know the horrible burning and stabbing pain that comes with having a urinary tract infection (UTI).  For most women this probably happens once every two years and gets cured after a few days on antibiotics.  Imagine now feeling like you have a UTI all the time.  That would really suck wouldn't it?  But that's not the worst part.  Imagine there were no antibiotics available to cure your "UTI".  Why?  Because you don't actually have an infection.  Just all the symptoms. For someone with a normal bladder who is reading this, the scenario probably sounds bizarre and miserable.  For someone with Interstitial Cystits (IC), this is daily life.

IC patients have irritated and inflamed bladders.  There is no infection, there is no cure.  IC can strike out of no where.  Some patients have long histories or repeat UTIs and other urinary problems.  Other people may have had relatively normal urinary functions before the on start of these symptoms.

There is a medication called Elmiron that helps to repair the bladder.  With long term use, Elmiron can help some IC patients show improvement in symptoms.  There is also an IC diet (which eliminates acidic food) which also helps some IC folks to manage symptoms.

What is important to remember is that no two IC patients are the same.  Some patients are in constant flares while others have symptoms that come and go.  Some IC sufferers have frequency and urgency as their only symptoms, while others are plagued with a mix of other issues including severe pelvic pain, nocturia, leg pain, pain during sex and the feeling of "battery acid" in their bladder. The list can go on.

Although symptoms vary from person to person, one thing most IC patients have in common is a long road to diagnosis.  There is no one test to look for IC.  It's a rule out condition and many people will go through a laundry list of doctors before finding proper help.  Although women have been complaining of IC symptoms since the 1800s, it wasn't until the year 2000 that IC was taken seriously by the medical community. 

Many people still do not know that this painful and chronic condition exists.  Since we have yet to find what causes IC, ANY woman is at risk.  It is important to spread the word so that women know where to turn should they experience any symptoms of IC.  There are people completely debilitated by this condition.  IC patients deserve a voice.

If your bladder is on fire, speak up.  Another woman will be glad that you did.