The most common indication of IC is frequency of urination, often accompanied by pain and/or pressure. Symptoms vary from person to person, and can range from mild to severe. IC can be hard to diagnose. Other conditions, such as bladder cancer, endometriosis, and sexually transmitted diseases, tend to have similar symptoms. Distention of the bladder, done under general anesthesia, is necessary to make a definite diagnosis. Normally, a biopsy of the bladder is done at the same time.
If you've ever had a urinary tract or bladder infection (cystitis), then you have some idea of how Interstitial Cystitis can feel. I suffered for years with what felt like a bladder infection, only to be told by a dozen specialists that there was nothing wrong with me. One urologist even suggested that my problems might be "mental" rather than physical. I was forced to deal with the pain and frustration on my own. I truly thought that I must be the only person who had this problem. After 4 years, when I finally was diagnosed with IC, I felt tremendous relief. Although there is not yet a cure, several treatments were available, and I took advantage of them. I can't say that my symptoms have disappeared, but I have felt extraordinary improvement.
There are now numerous treatment options available for IC sufferers, and most patients do experience some degree of relief. A change in diet is a good place to start. Your doctor is likely to suggest that you avoid food and drinks that are acidic, alcoholic, or carbonated. Finding out which foods cause flare-ups is an individual matter, as not all patients are sensitive to the same foods. Taking the time to find these triggers is well worth the effort. Other treatments include DMSO and oral medications such as Elmiron, as well as self-help techniques such as stress reduction and exercise. There is no specific treatment that works for everyone, but through trial and error the chances for improvement are remarkable.
Amazingly, many doctors are still not aware that IC exists, or they consider it to be psychosomatic. As more and more patients are diagnosed, this way of thinking is changing. Although the severity of symptoms can increase with stress, IC is NOT merely a psychological problem.
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