Interstitial Cystitis

Medical West offers treatment for those who suffer from IC

What is IC?

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder that affects more than 700,000 people in the US. Often improperly treated and misdiagnosed as a minor bladder infection, IC is a much more serious and painful condition. Unlike “common” cystitis, better known as a urinary tract infection, IC is not caused by bacteria nor does it respond to conventional antibiotic therapy. Thankfully, Dr. Michael Bivins, a Urologist at Medical West, is now treating patients with this serious and painful condition.

Who is affected?

IC can be found in patients at any age, race or sex. However, it is most commonly found in women, (about ninety percent of those diagnosed are women). The average age of onset is 40, yet twenty five percent of those diagnosed are under the age of 30.

Symptoms

There are many different symptoms that may be present in patients suffering from IC. Frequent urination can occur up to 60 times per day in serious cases. There is also a sensation of having to urinate immediately, which may also be accompanied by pain, pressure or spasms. Other pain may include abdominal, urethral, or vaginal pain, muscle and joint pain, migraines, allergic reactions and pain associated with sexual intercourse.

Treatments

At this time there is no cure for IC, nor is there one specific treatment. Because IC symptoms vary for each patient, so do the various treatments. Many times patients will go through a “trial and error” period before they find the right treatment or combination of treatments. However, a vast majority of IC patients are helped by the following treatments. One form of treatment suggests using self-help techniques, such as diet modification, stress reduction, and low impact exercise. Oral medications may also be used to treat the disease. These medications include a specific medication for IC such as Elmiron, anti-depressants such as Elavil, anti-inflammatory agents, or bladder analgesics such as Urimax. Intravesical treatments may be tried if these other treatment options fail. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can be instilled into the bladder alone or in combination with steroids or heparin.

Dr. Bivins is now successfully treating patients with IC and helping them return to a comfortable lifestyle. Dr. Bivins is available for consultation for patients who are experiencing symptoms related to IC. Please call Dr. Bivins’ office at 996-WEST for more information.