CNN iReport

When I was about 1 year old, my Mother noticed blood in my diaper. I was admitted into the E.R. with my first UTI. Twenty-three years later and I'm still carrying the pain with me; and I feel that I will for the rest of my life. I have made countless trips to the E.R. with severe pain, discomfort, and bloody urine, along with frequent urination, or not being able to urinate at all. I always get the same response from the doctor's, "We did find blood in your urine, but no sign of infection." "Have you ever been told you have Cystitis?" "You know I could give you the usual antibiotics and pain medicine, but it won't help." I did visit a Urologist when I was in High School, but he wasn't much help at all. Some day's aren't so bad, but other's are horrible. I have no relief from the pain, and I fear the worse.

The following is some information I found on mayoclinic.com:

"Interstitial cystitis — also called painful bladder syndrome — is a chronic condition characterized by a combination of uncomfortable bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pain in your pelvis, which can range from mild burning or discomfort to severe pain.

The severity of symptoms caused by interstitial cystitis often fluctuates, and some people may experience periods of remission.

Although signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis may resemble those of a chronic urinary tract infection, urine cultures are usually free of bacteria. However, a worsening of symptoms may occur if a person with interstitial cystitis gets a urinary tract infection.

It's likely that many people with interstitial cystitis also have a defect in the protective lining (epithelium) of their bladder. A leak in the epithelium, for example, may allow toxic substances in urine to irritate your bladder wall."

Another post I found mentioned that Interstitial Cystitis can develop if your immune system has been affected.

When I was 3 months old I was admitted into the hospital for, what they thought, was Spinal Meningitis. But as it turned out, I just had a very bad Viral infection. Maybe this has something to do with my I.C., seeing how I was so young and my immune system had already been through so much stress.

These past two weeks have been the hardest I've had in a while. Morning time is the absolute worse! I don't feel much relief until the evening time. I've been taking Cystex, (an over-the-counter urinary pain reliever), but It doesn't help at all with the inflammation.

I'm only 24 years old and my life is affected so much from this. I have to be so careful with everything I do: bath products, what I drink, intimacy with my husband, the way I sit down can be uncomfortable, or even sometimes just standing up can cause a sharp pain in my pelvic area.

Sometimes the pain is accompanied with fever, chills, and/or nausea.....as if it can't get any worse.

I have a very high tolerance for pain, but for it to be in such a sensitive and important area of my body is just unbearable at times.