Question
I am a female--56 years old.

I have severe pelvic pain. The dx is interstitial cystits. The doctor tells me there is nothing that can be done. I have tried the diet change with no relief. I have tried the bladder instillations with only about an hours relief. I was taking methadone for the pain, but it caused my ankles and feet to swell to the size of tree trunks. I now take Ultram then Vicodin--each one three times a day. But I still have unbearable pain. Is there really nothing that can be done? Is there anything that I can take for the pain that would truly stop the pain? I have seen my primary physician, 2 gynecologists, 2 urologists, 2 pain specialists.  I have had more tests than I care to list & most of them 2 or 3 times.  I have had injections on both sides of my spine with no relief.  I am beginning to think that living the rest of my life with this pain is not really worth it.


Answer
Hi Jo and thanks for writing,

I'm so sorry to read about your struggles with Interstitial cystitis. Obviously you have seen many doctors and tried several treatment options, but I will list some here you may not have tried which you should discuss with your primary physician.

Treatment options include: Prelief, Cysta-Q, Prosta-Q, Tricyclic antidepressants, Antihistamines, Elmiron, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, Antispasmodics, adrenergic blockers and of course Short-acting opioid analgesics.

If you have not tried these, I would recommend you do - I especially think Antihistamines & Antispasmodics should help your symptoms.

I do wish you all the best, we all have to do everything we can to live with the best quality of life we can, and it often means trying many options, regular western medicine and alternative eastern medicine techniques too.

All my best,

Margot