Interstitial Cystitis

Hi guys, I said I'd update you on my progress with finding out what is wrong with me so here's the scoop.

I was all ready to have an operation removing a cyst from my ovary (and possibly my ovary too) when I asked to see my MRI scan. I found that the "mass" on my ovary had disappeared and I have a cyst on my spleen (not sure if that is a problem but they haven't told me anything). I then cancelled the op and spoke to my GP who has decided now that I have Interstitial Cystits as my symptoms have not gone.

She's put me on amitriptyline which I've been taking for 5 days. It's made me very sleepy and a bit sedated. I've read it's an anti depressant, but I am only taking 10mg a day. I'm going to wait to see if it helps over more time but I just feel sedated with the pain now. A bit like when I was drinking to stop the pain. So my saga continues...but at least the doctors are listening now that they almost removed my ovary for no reason at all.

Amytriptyline in low doses is more commonly used to control pain than for its original purpose; a friend of mine was prescribed it for chronic back pain, for example.

I really, really feel for you with the cystitis - wishing you well!

(((HUGS)))

Yes ,they give my mother amitriptyline for chronic pain. Give it a chance to see how it works for you . You won't always be groggy . That will go away pretty quick .

I find it strange that you got a diagnosis of IC without having your bladder viewed for the condition. It should be diagnosed properly. Also, usually, IC has very specific symptoms and I don't know how they would go from ovarian type to bladder type.

What are your symptoms, exactly?

It's important to get to the root of what causes pain, not just throw dulling medications at it, if a cause can be found. IC is an inflammatory condition of the bladder and there are many things that can be done to improve it besides just throwing pain meds at you.

My symptoms are constant pain in my urethra basically, akin to the pain you get from cystitis but not so severe to make me sit on the toilet all day. I've had this before, all my life. Last time it lasted several months then one day disappeared. I didn't get it again until I got very bad reoccurring cystitis from sex in November (the doc said there was an infection) then it's just lingered with this after pain for six months so far. It gets a lot worse when I'm stressed. But also if I'm happy and busy it goes away...but it's not stopped properly yet. I absolutely hate it, it's ruining my life but I have learnt how to deal with it a lot better. Before i would just feel depressed all the time but now I just tell myself to wait for the worst pain to pass and it usually improves in a couple hours. I would like to see a specialist yes. The pills have helped somewhat but it has not gone.