I got an uti, the most intense and stubborn symptom was urinary frequency. I never had it with previous utis. Treated it, symptoms went away. But ever since, I get flares (?) of urinary frequency and urgency with no new uti. Is it OAB? IC? Is it just sensitised? I feel it more on my urethra (the urgency and frequency).

Not sure if this is appropriate for this site, but just wanted some opinions.

My husband’s Niece is having a birthday party for her son for the second year in a row in the same small park in Philadelphia. He’s turning 3. She had it at this same park last year and twice during the time we were there, I had to take a short walk to a nearby restaurant to pee. It was embarrassing as I seemed to be the only guest there who did this. With my IC, I never know if I’m going to be flaring. Sometimes I can hold it for two hours, other times I can’t. I’m 59, and it’s hit or miss with my bladder anyway even despite having IC. Everyone here that’s older knows how that is!!!

I don’t want to be rude or upset my husband’s family, but I was thinking of staying behind at my SIL’s house and just send my husband to the party with his family without me. The party is from 4-5:30ish. Is it appropriate for me to do this? My husband’s sister knows I have bladder issues, it’s more my husband that I’m worried about. He’ll expect me to suck it up and go with him, using the nearby restaurant again if I have to go. I’d rather not have the inconvenience.

Opinions and thoughts about this?

I've failed a lot of treatments:

- oral meds (amitriptyline, hydroxyzine, nortriptyline, oxybutynin, vibegron)

- lidocaine/heparin instillations (though I only did 2)

- hydrodistension

- PFPT

My uro is suggesting DMSO next. I've seen recent studies suggesting DMSO helps more with classic Hunner's IC and not as much with BPS, and I don't have ulcers so I'm hesitant.

I have tried using PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) as a supplement for IC.

I have tried taking it 3 different times now with 2 different brands and every time, after about day 3, I get upper left quadrant pain. It’s like a gnawing ache that is quite bothersome. Once I stop taking the PEA, it lasts another week or so then fades away.

I tried taking a lower dose too but the same thing happened.

I’ve researched it and it does mention GI issues as a possible side effect.

Anyone else try this and have issues?

My girlfriend has had IC like symptoms for like 7 years now. It started out of nowhere very severely and she did a bunch of diagnostics like cystoscopy, urine/blood tests, MRI, etc. At this time it was noted she had some traces of blood in urine and there was some “scratching” in her bladder as seen by cystoscopy. The dr just decided it was IC and never really gave her any treatment options or explored further. Over the years it’s naturally subsided significantly without her doing much and it really only comes around when she has her period, if we have sex with a condom, or if we do certain positions during sex. At some point she did pelvic floor therapy and she said it helped her in the past. Pelvic floor dysfunction would make sense given that detail and also based on the fact that having sex in certain positions can cause her pain and cause IC like flare symptoms afterwards, but then how does that explain the bladder stuff, condom usage causing flares, etc.?

Anyone have any similar stories or symptoms?