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Interstitial Cystitis

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Interstitial Cystitis

I've created this web page to provide information about a chronic condition with which I am all too familiar; interstitial cystitis. I want to offer suggestions that can provide relief from the painful and disruptive symptoms that are the hallmark of IC. All my suggestions come from my own personal experience with interstitial cystitis and how I found lasting relief. If you suspect you are suffering with interstitial cystitis, you should talk with a healthcare provider. In my personal experience the healthcare practitioner you seek out should be natural or holistic, for example, a naturalpathic doctor.  While there's no cure for interstitial cystitis, there are many options for treatment and self care that have helped many sufferers like me to alleviate their symptoms and finally live symptom free!

What Is Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis, IC for short, is a long-term, or chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. IC is frequently misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection. People suffering from the disease often go years without receiving a correct diagnosis.

Women are much more likely to suffer from the disease than men however, IC can affect men, women and children of any age.

No one knows what causes interstitial cystitis exactly, there are many theories about potential causes like bladder injury, frequent infections, autoimmune disorders, back injuries, diet, pharmaceutical drug use and others.

Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

The symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary in type, severity, and duration. People with IC can experience various combinations of symptoms at various times in their lives, or even throughout the day. Some IC symptoms are:
  • Persistant and or urgent need to urinate
  • Frequent urination, often of small amounts, throughout the day and night.
  • Pelvic pain
  • Feeling of pressure in pelvis
  • Pain between the vagina and anus in women or the scrotum and anus in men
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Burning upon urination
  • Pain or burning on external genitalia
  • Blood in urine
  • Cloudy or foul smelling urine

Diagnosing Interstitial Cystitis

Only a doctor or healthcare provider can diagnose interstitial cystitis.

I, as increasing numbers of people believe, that western doctors have little if any benefit to offer people who are sick or suffering. Often chronic conditions, such as IC, are the result of side effects or adverse reactions to prescription drugs, western treatments like surgery or poor western diets. This phenomena, of western medicine making thing worse rather than better, is one that I experienced directly and one that I've watched family members and friends experience. Based on my experience and that of those close to me, I encourage people to seek advice and medical help from qualified alternative doctors like Naturalpathic Doctors, Doctors of Chinese Medicine or Doctors or Ayurvedic Medicine. In my personal experience these doctors have been the only medical professionals who have been able to help undo the damage western medicine has done to me and the people I care about. However, I understand many people are interested in western medicine and what they think it can offer in terms of treatment or cures, for this reason I have included information on both western and alternative IC treatments.

Individuals suffering with IC should understand that It may take a long time to receive an accurate diagnosis. IC symptoms are the same as symptoms of other disorders such as urinary tract infections.


To help healthcare providers understand a patient's symptoms, a diary should be kept in which a patient would record when symptoms are felt, what the symptoms are, how long symptoms last, the severity of symptoms and other variables such as medications taken and what a patient has had to eat and drink. Western Doctors may preform a variety of tests to determine whether someone may be suffering with IC, none of these tests are ones I would undergo with the exception of one which I indicate, regardless, some diagnostic tests may be:
  • Cystoscopy
  • Bladder Wall Biopsy
  • Bladder Capacity Test
  • Urinalysis (A non invasive test which I would allow)
  • Bladder Biopsy
  • Urethral Biopsy

Treatment Options for Interstitial Cystitis

There are a wide range of treatments doctors and individuals try to help relieve interstitial cystitis symptoms. It is up to each person to research the variety of treatments for themselves and weigh the risks, especially with regard to Western treatments.

When treating IC, Alternative Medicine Doctors may try natural supplements, dietary changes, physical therapy, meditation, exercise and more. In my personal experience such lifestyle changes and alternative treatments have provided the best help and the greatest long term prophylaxis.

I have a list of links below that discuss both Western and Alternative treatment options. I have no personal experience with the invasive and pharmacological treatments Western Medicine implements but I know many IC sufferers have undergone such treatment with mixed results. Again this is why it's up to the individual to inform themselves and decide what they think is best for their particular circumstance.
Intersititial Cystitis Diet
This is a link to a list of "bladder friendly" foods. Many IC sufferers find that certain foods like chocolate, coffee, soda and others have a profound effect on their bladder symptoms. In fact, some interstitial cystitis sufferers find that by following an "IC Diet" that their symptoms are drastically reduced. Some IC sufferers actually treat their IC on their own by using the diet alone. It may take some time once a person begins an "IC Diet" to experience relief, but countless IC sufferers swear by it and I do too.
Elmiron®
Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron®) is the only oral medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for IC. It is thought to prevent irritating elements in the urine from affecting the cells that line the bladder, but its precise method of action is unknown. Since Elmiron is chemically similar to glycosaminoglycan (GAG), it is thought to help rebuild the epithelium by coating the bladder wall. It may take up to 6 months to provide relief from symptoms, although 25% of patients experience significant symptom relief in as few as 4 weeks. Elmiron must be taken on a long-term basis to keep symptoms from recurring. Side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort and reversible hair loss.

Elmiron is a Western treatment I have not and would not try but many IC patients use this drug.
Bladder Instillations
Information on bladder installations and how they have been used as a treatment for interstitial cystitis. This is a Western treatment that I would not undergo but many IC patients have and do.
Alternative Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis
One starting place for investigating some alternative treatments for interstitial cystitis.
Physcial Therapy and Interstitial Cystitis
A great place to begin finding information on physical therapy and interstitial cystitis. Physical therapy for the treatment of interstitial cystitis is a relatively new area of study and hope for IC sufferers and their doctors.

Support Communities for Interstitial Cystitis Sufferers

Interstitial cystitis can be a painful, disruptive and perplexing disease to cope with. I've provided below a link to a good support forum for those suffering with IC. I believe having someone to talk to about this disease can help people heal and be understood.
Interstitial Cystitis Network
An online community with compassionate members who are suffering with IC and its symptoms. A wealth of information all in one place. This site has message boards and forums galore. A wonderful resource.

Over the Counter Products that can Help Ease IC Symptoms

Many IC sufferers swear by these products and say they have helped to ease their IC symptoms or "flares". I have indicated which products I use and found to be of benefit to me personally.
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Books for IC Sufferers

These books provide a wealth of information, inspiration, hope, and most importantly, solutions for IC pain and suffering. I highly recommend all of these books.
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A Natural Urinary Tract Infection Treatment that's kept Me Uti Free for Years

Bladder or urinary tract infections seem to go hand in hand with IC. I used to get bladder infections every week. I took antibiotics for about a year but those made me very sick and damaged my body. Then I discovered d-mannose, and I haven't had an bladder infection since. I can't recommend d-mannose highly enough, it changed my life. I wish I'd know about alternative medicine and treatments sooner, it would have spared me years of suffering and trying to undo all the damage Western Medicine has done. If you're interested in reading about my battle with urinary tract infections, the subsequent damage antibiotics caused me, and how I stopped the vicious cycle, click or visit here.
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Test for Urinary Tract Infections at Home

Saving You Costly Trips to the Clinic or Hospital

If you suspect you have a urinary tracy infection, you can use these convienent at home test strips to find out. You will get fast results and save yourself costly trips to the clinic or hospital.
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  • Phoenix12211 Jun 17, 2011 @ 9:47 am | delete
    Awesome work on the IC information! My girlfriend suffers from it and this information was a huge help- especially the information on dieting! With a little searching we were able to find new foods she could handle and even got her daily cup of coffee back with Tylers Coffee! We couldn't have found it without your help!
  • paulsmith09 Sep 6, 2010 @ 4:14 am | delete
    Great lens, I gave it 5 stars! I'm building a lens about Interstitial Cystitis Natural Treatment . I'd sincerely appreciate it if you'd take a look and give it a rating! Wishing you all the best, Paul
  • RinchenChodron Nov 23, 2009 @ 8:47 am | delete
    I appreciate all the good details here. Blessed by an Angel (you can add it to the plexo on
    my angel lens,
    if you want).
  • RinchenChodron Nov 23, 2009 @ 8:39 am | delete
    YOu did a very nice job on this informative lens. Blessed by an Angel (you can add it to the plexo on
    my angel lens,
    if you want).
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