UTI or bladder cancer?

[cattia]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm now worrying about interstitial cystitis. This is a worry I used to have a lot about ten years ago when I suffered from frequent UTIs. I am imagining a future of constant pain and bladder symptoms which would make it impossible for me to enjoy life. This is the same anxiety cycle I've had in the past with CFS / fibromyalgia which are two of my other worries. It seems like one branch of my anxiety is to do with dying and the other is to do with a fear of not being able to live the way I want to. This is such a common pattern for me yet every time it feels so real and I can't rationalize it because although I can come up with rational alternatives that I understand are more likely, I don't believe them.

[cattia]

I'm now totally freaking out about interstitial cystitis. I'm needing to pee every two seconds, it's a real feeling of pressure. I'm on day three of antibiotics and I haven't even had my results back from my urine sample so I don't know for sure if there's even an infection. I'm totally losing it thinking I'll never be able to go anywhere or do anything ever again because all I can think about is when I can next use the toilet. I also feel like there is still some irritation at the end of my urethra after urinating. I'm so scared and upset about this, and about being in yet another anxiety spiral that I can't get myself out of.

[garconperdu]

I went to the nurse because I was having constant pressure and need to pee but no pain or stinging on urination. She tested my sample and it has blood and protein but she didn't say if it had bacteria so I am completely freaking out that I have bladder cancer, especially as I have been having random pelvic pain for a while. She has given me antibiotics and will send the sample off for analysis. I don't know what to do with myself I've gone into full on meltdown. I just need some tips to calm down.

Yeah, I think it's cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder, last week I took antibiotics Ciprofloxacin.

[whatisthis]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm now worrying about interstitial cystitis. This is a worry I used to have a lot about ten years ago when I suffered from frequent UTIs. I am imagining a future of constant pain and bladder symptoms which would make it impossible for me to enjoy life. This is the same anxiety cycle I've had in the past with CFS / fibromyalgia which are two of my other worries. It seems like one branch of my anxiety is to do with dying and the other is to do with a fear of not being able to live the way I want to. This is such a common pattern for me yet every time it feels so real and I can't rationalize it because although I can come up with rational alternatives that I understand are more likely, I don't believe them.

Hi Cattia

I go through the same thought cycles and I am currently having the same urinary symptoms. The pressure/feeling of needing to go had really got me into a panic and depression.

I've has this before but not this long and did have a camera up there which was clear. The interstitial cystitis really got me concerned. We read the worst as I know people who have it treated and stick to a diet who live normal lives.

I am now nearly fully convinced mine is anxiety/tension/stress which is keeping this cycle going. The bladder is a sensitive organ and I'm hyper focused on it.

My fear is not being to live I want to like yourself. This fear taps into this and I always end up hyper focused on these problems and I bet you are doing the same yourself.

[cattia]

Thank you. Whatisthis what tests did they do, were they looking for irritation in your bladder with the camera? I am completely freaking about this. I don't know any more what's a real symptom and what is caused by muscle tension and hyperfocus. I understand that unconsciously tensing my muscles could lead to a feeling of urgency and pressure but I really worry it's something physical. Have you found anything that helps yours?-

[katniss]

Goodness, I could have posted this! Sorry you’re going through such a worry! I have been having pelvic pain and pressure since January. Got tested twice for UTIs and both times negative. I even got a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound, it came back clear except for a 2cm cyst, that can’t be the cause of my symptoms. About a month ago I developed the same symptoms as you - urinary pressure and frequency. I completely flipped out because I was already deathly afraid of ovarian cancer and had been reading up on it constantly. I knew this was a symptom. Anyway, after a little while I noticed that I can hold it for 5 to 6 hours and don’t need to go at night, so surely it can’t be a tumour. Hopefully! I’m just holding on to this piece of reassurance right now. And it really does seem like anxiety. Almost as though I’m hyper aware of my bladder.

[cattia]

Katniss, I'm sorry you're going through the same. At the moment I have to go three or four times at night. I had a clear transvaginal ultrasound and also clear blood test for ovarian cancer so hopefully it's not that! It's just horrible. I can hold it if I have to but literally feel the pressure in my bladder to go again even when I've just been. I rarely go more than two hours even at night although the night symptoms have only been in the past week which worries me too.

[katniss]

Can you try to “train” your bladder by holding it for 2 hours, then slowly up to 3 hours? Obviously I am no professional, but I noticed that when I was going constantly sometimes I would barely get anything out, because I didn’t have anything in me to pee. And the feeling would just get worse and the urge even stronger. However, once I started to hold, it got better. I’m still not a 100% better. But I am better than what I was last week. I still feel the pressure constantly, I can feel my bladder slowly filling which is definitely me being hyper aware of it. Try holding it a bit to stretch your bladder muscle and see how you do!

[cattia]

I'm going to try that Katniss, that's what I had to do before when I had this issue years ago. I can't physically need to go two minutes after I've just been!

[whatisthis]

Thank you. Whatisthis what tests did they do, were they looking for irritation in your bladder with the camera? I am completely freaking about this. I don't know any more what's a real symptom and what is caused by muscle tension and hyperfocus. I understand that unconsciously tensing my muscles could lead to a feeling of urgency and pressure but I really worry it's something physical. Have you found anything that helps yours?-

Hi

I had the usual urine tests and 'male' examination, saw the specialist. The camera was looking for anything unusual or damage to the bladder which I think what IC is.

You are exactly the same as me with not knowing what is a real symptoms or tension. I've now got to the point where if I feel good and distracted with someone it virtually goes. I had my first day on Saturday symptom free so I'm convinced it's muscle tension yet again.

I've had a little bit of success with trying to relax that area, pushing the muscle gently like I'm trying to urinate. I won't let myself go back to the toilet in under 2 hours as well. I'm also on medication to relax the bladder which helped the intense pressure/ache but not done anything for frequency.

I've been referred back to the hospital but I doubt they will find anything as I've been through this before but only lasted 3 weeks.