Interstitial Cystitis has been an illness that has been misdiagnosed and undiagnosed in many people over the years. Times are changing in the medical community and more urologists are recognizing IC as a real chronic illness. But there are still other conditions that Interstitial Cystitis can be misdiagnosed for.
Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder occurs when abnormal nerves send signals to the bladder at the wrong time. This makes the muscles squeeze without warning, and can cause patients to lose control of their bladder.
Symptoms of overactive bladder can include the need to urinate suddenly, which are common symptoms in IC Disease. The website All About IC reports that in a small study of less than 100 people who were diagnosed with overactive bladder over half actually had evidence that they had Interstitial Cystitis.
Recurrent UTIs
Urinary Tract Infections affect millions of people each year with most of them being women. A woman has a 1 in 5 chance of getting a UTI at some point in her life.
UTIs are caused by bacterial infections in the urinary tract, typically E.Coli. Common symptoms of UTIs include the urge to urinate frequently, pain or burning during urination, and an uncomfortable pressure or pain in the pelvic area. These are all symptoms of IC Disease. The difference with IC Disease is that no bacteria is present upon urine testing.
For years I was diagnosed (at least twice a year) with UTIs. Now I know that it was the IC. If you are treated for a UTI but you find your symptoms return frequently, check with a urologist to see if you possibly have IC Disease.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue from the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus. Patients with unresolved, chronic or persistent endometriosis often report chronic pain, usually in the pelvic area or lower back. They may experience painful urination, especially during their periods, and pain during or after sex. Other common symptoms of unresolved endometriosis may include painful or heavy periods, painful bowel movements during menstruation, and fatigue. Most of these symptoms are similar to the symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis.
Some women with endometriosis will have their entire uterus removed in order to have relief. If she is still not getting any relief or the symptoms do not go away, IC may be suspected. That would be awful for a woman to go through a surgery like that just to have the same symptoms returned, but it happens with IC. Women who have symptoms after the surgery have what is called unresolved endometriosis.
In a study of 60 patients at a regional pelvic pain center, 80% of women had both endometriosis and IC at the same time, which is why treating the endometriosis alone often may not relieve the pain.
Cervicitis
Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix. It is a very common condition that will affect more than half of adult women during their life. Cervicitis is typically caused by infection, sexually-transmitted diseases or strep. If the cervix is irritated by a cervical cap or diaphragm, even normal vaginal bacteria can cause cervicitis.
Some symptoms of cervicitis can mimic IC, such as vaginal pain, pain during or after sex, and a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis.
Cervicitis can be treated and healed by treating whatever originally caused the problem (infection, STD, etc.) If you are being treated for chronic cervicitis, have your doctor check to see if you might possibly have IC Disease.
Vulvodynia
Vulvodyniais a chronic pain condition of the vaginal area that affects the external female genitalia, including the vagina, the labia, and the clitoris. The pain in Vulvodynia may be described as stabbing, burning, stinging, irritating, a dull and sharp ache around the vaginal opening. There is no infection found in women with Vulvodynia as a cause.
Symptoms of Vulvodynia that mimic that of IC Disease include chronic pain in the pelvic area, including the lower belly, the vagina, the perineum, and even the inner thighs. The pain may be continuous or intermittent. It may become more intense during a woman’s period, during sex, or after sex. For some women, the pain is sharp and localized, while for others, it feels more like an ache or a burning sensation.
It is possible that IC may be a cause of Vulvodynia for some women. The causes of Vulvodynia are unknown and this condition too can be difficult to diagnose.
You should add pelvic floor dysfunction to that list as well!
I love your blog. Check out mine at http://bodychronic.blogspot.com/.
Kim
Hi Kim, If you would like to exchange links for your blogroll, I would be happy to add you here! Thanks for stopping by. I didn’t even think of pelvic floor dysfunction so I appreciate you mentioning it!
wonderful information about interstitial Cystitis. I am a member of their organization and have been a great deal of help to me . http://www.ichelp.org
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Thanks for such a usefull article. It’s a very interesting topic to me.
hi, I no that some have worse pain and symptoms than others, I am totally miserable,with a lot of the symptoms of IC,but my Docter keeps wanting me to see a gyn,,,can they help in anyway,since I,m on Medicaid I have to go where he refers me ,if she cant help me I,ve got to get him to refer me to a urologist…thanks Linda
I suffer from cystitis every free months as well as other urinary problems and so far the Lady Soma Cranberry Capsules have definitely lessened in severity, I’m hoping in time they will lessen in frequency too. I take 1 capsule 3 times daily with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I will continue to do this long term to see if I can keep the UTIs at bay!
And I’ve always been told by my mum and nan to drink Cranberry juice but I cannot stand the taste! Now I can take it in pill form with the Lady Soma Cranberry Pills and still get the same benefits as with the juice, such as relief from the aforementioned female issues.
The Lady Soma Cranberry Concentrate tablets is the ONLY product that seems to halt cystitis in its tracks before it becomes unbearable & I have found over the years that if I use it as soon as the first symptoms of an attack appear, I have no need of antibiotics. Unfortunately it is only available online at their website and on Amazon. but is definitely worth the shipping cost.
Cranberry juice cripples me when I had flare few weeks back thought it started as uti I was trying the water cranberry to flush and it put me in Emergency room they suspect IC when I was tested no infection and was flushing with cranberry they told me its a huge irritant for IC. So please be careful if it is working you might have other issues maybe.. But most professionals and writings say stay away from it. Be careful friend
Hello everyone I was just so very miserable in and out of ER. And no infection got a IC diagnosis and with no meds muy onset IBS and IC just went away after I ate a TON like half of a watermelon it was my only relief then seemed like it cured me I can now have anything I want I drink coffee and I’m fine opposed to wanting to die from 6 weeks of insane pain that I would scream rolling around peeling myself.. I would say I was poisoned lol but that didn’t happen my pain was right at c section scar kidneys and pain swooping from hip to hip. I’m convinced I can’t have this disease cause I’m having zero issues now 3 weeks out of pain. Is this going to return for no reason I’m so very confused and have no family or friends just my husband and kids we are close family.. Could anyone please help me understand what is going on and what can I expect in future like does this come and go I can’t find info to this question? Thank you for your time and patience
Hi! I have similar pain that is very intermittent – I am completely debilitated for 3-4 hours a day a few days in a row and then it is GONE. I find diet really, really effects me and there is probably hormal triggers or other alergens that makes you prone to dietary issues. Eating that much watermelon probably helped hydrate you – my symptoms tend to strike when I am dehydrated. That is a common side effect of travelling or drinking caffeine, which also tend to trigger my pain. Ultimately, if I’m drinking a lot of water and getting electrolytes (think Nuun and Scratch tablets) I am usually okay to eat or drink whatever I want! however, if I’m poorly hydrated, I become prone to pain. Stay hydrated, try to avoid dehydrators (caffeine, alcohol), and if you know you are going to use something that dehydrates you drink lots of water before and after!!
Hi! I have similar pain that is very intermittent – I am completely debilitated for 3-4 hours a day a few days in a row and then it is GONE. I find diet really, really effects me and there is probably hormal triggers or other alergens that makes you prone to dietary issues. Eating that much watermelon probably helped hydrate you – my symptoms tend to strike when I am dehydrated. That is a common side effect of travelling or drinking caffeine, which also tend to trigger my pain. Ultimately, if I’m drinking a lot of water and getting electrolytes (think Nuun and Scratch tablets) I am usually okay to eat or drink whatever I want! however, if I’m poorly hydrated, I become prone to pain. Stay hydrated, try to avoid dehydrators (caffeine, alcohol), and if you know you are going to use something that dehydrates you drink lots of water before and after!!