|
[ Interstitial Cystitis Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
When I was 19 I started to notice an awful pasty discharge. One that had no color, but resembled "Paste". Never having any gynecological problems before, I decided to go and see my gynecologist. Those famous words I would hear. The words you hear ALL THE TIME. There's nothing wrong. Every test was performed, and all came back negative so he assumed yeast. How could this be yeast I thought. It doesn't itch and it's not white and it doesn't resemble cottage cheese. it's PASTE and it's burning my urethra/bladder to no end. It's he kind of paste you used in kindergarten. That's what it resembled. Trying every yeast treatment known to man, nothing would take this away. Dr's and years later with no relief. I would find myself in the urology office at age 22. Whatever this stuff was (yeast??) it caused me to have the "WORST" urethral BURNING ever imagined. Burning around the clock. 24/7 I would get two opinions and I would get two diagnosis of having IC. The first came at 22. I brushed it off. The second would come at 25. I was in pain for 3yrs thinking how could it be IC when they haven't even helped with this paste. I stuck with the second dr who just recently diagnosed by cysto/hydro. My bladder looked sad. It looked as if a bon-fire was going on. Just this big red fire ball. I accepted my diagnosis considering the fact that I had no freq/urg but would only have burning. My dr told me that it wasn't as bad as t looked. He's very much the conservative which is what I like the most. He's not ready to jump on in and start progressive treatments. On monday we will talk about my diagnosis. Now this is the part that baffles me to such a degree that I can no longer think. WHY after the hydro did I feel IMMEDIATE RELIEF? Why had whatever was lerking in my vagina (yeast?) disappear? For the next 3wks I would live my life free of the pain that I suffered for 7yrs. ( No yeast? if that's what it was) my vagina was healthy:) I could have sex, I had no burning no nothing. How could a hydro get rid of a bug that no antibiotics/cream would even touch????? Now after three wks it all came back. First I started to feel the BURNING. That right there told me that if I looked I would also see the pasty stuff. Well I did. WHY???? Is my bladder cooking my insides? Am I getting this discharge because of my inflamed bladder?? Or am I getting the inflamed bladder/urethra because of the discharge??? I do know that when I douch and get rid of everything inside all of my burning seems to go away. However, hours later this stuff comes back. All I want is to find a gynecologist who will help. One who will look further than just into my vagina and not tell me that everythings fine when it's NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are there gynecological specialists? Or do ALL gynecologists call themselves specialists? Perhaps that's why I can't seem to find a "Specialist". I'm in way over my head and I really don't know what to do anymore. All I do is cry. I'm 26 and NO-ONE can seem to help. How can I help my IC if I can't even help my other problem. I'm sure they go hand in hand, but where's the connection? That's where the dr's suppose to come in. But I can't seem to find one.
Please help!
~Jennifer
In Reply to: DR. STOLL PLEASE READ posted by ~Jennifer on September 14, 2000 at 18:14:14:
Hi there. I'm very sorry to hear that you're in so much pain! Since I'm not a doctor, I'm not going to try to diagnose you, but I do want to advise you to do everything you can to promote your general health. If you want to clean yourself from the inside, don't forget the following:
--drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. This is EXTREMELY important for infections and general health. Many medical conditions get much better once you are hydrated. Cranberry juice will send acid through your bladder and urethra which could help kill any infections there, but also might complicate your condition - ask a doctor first.
--eat a low-fat, low-carb diet with plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
--avoid things that dehydrate you like chocolate, alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, or tea.
--avoid sweets like cookies, cakes, or any other desserts. Substitute with fruit instead.
--think whether you might have another symptom or condition that could be related to your problem. This could be the underlying cause of your problem, so don't forget to mention it to your doctor.
--Change to cotton panties and avoid tight-fitting clothes especially near your crotch area
--Echinacea, licorice root, blue vervain, butternut root bark are all herbs that deal with infections. Ask your doctor about them.
If I were you, I'd insist on a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases. Also get tested for bladder infections and any reproductive organ disorders you can think of which cause abnormal discharge.
People who are having trouble getting diagnosed should keep a daily journal. Is your discharge heaviest midway between your periods (i.e. when you are ovulating)? Does it accompany vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or fever? Write down your symptoms, what you did that day, note the color, consistency and odor of your discharge, any other symptoms or illnesses, when you get your period and what that is like, what medications you took, etc. This will help your doctor diagnose you.
Good luck!
Thalia C.
Herbal Home Remedies
http://www.herbalhomeremedies.com
In Reply to: DR. STOLL PLEASE READ posted by ~Jennifer on September 14, 2000 at 18:14:14:
Hi, Jennifer.
Listen to Thalia (Thanks, Thalia!)
Next, these things ARE related because the same pelvic floor "bracing" that causes one also causes the other.
See the testimonials of those with IC who have had relief by doing SR (archives) and the biofeedback instruments available for training the pelvic floor muscles to stay relaxed. I recommend the biofeedback approach as a last resort since getting rid of total-body bracing is also beneficial for your total wellness.
The "paste" is just normal vaginal secretion that has lost its water becaues you are shutting off the blood supply with your bracing. That is why drinking a lot of water will help.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Meanwhile, keep your health up. posted by Thalia C. on September 15, 2000 at 17:20:04:
Thank You for your understanding:)
My diet consists of ONLY water. I drink about a gallon day. I'm Always drinking:(
I've never in my life had any STD's. None Sometimes I wish I did. Perhaps it would make matters better. I NEVER eat sweets. I do however have one cup of coffee in the morning. I eat plenty of yogurt and lots of veggies. I bike about 8miles a day. (Always on my bike, but it kills my urethra) I walk and I dance.I'm pretty healthy! But all this came with my IC. (Change in Vaginal discharge/yeast)
After I had my hyrdro everything went away. But when my bladder/urethra pain came back....well so did the other. I have a "wonderful" urologist. AS far as infection, I've never had one. He took his time in diagnosing my IC. Did every last resort possible. And he's very conservative as far as taking things very slow. That I like!
But it just seems that as long as I have IC I will have my "Girly" problems! Nothing that I do/take seems to take it away.
Thanks for caring,
Jennifer
|
[ Interstitial Cystitis Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |