[Sara_88]

My nightmare started four years ago after a short fling with a guy I didn't really know. I started to feel strange a bit tingly and had cystitis type symptoms. I got over the counter treatment which didn't seem to work and got myself tested at the clinic, everything came back clear and I had no sexually transmitted infections.
The symptoms came and went and I started to get some discharge, frequent urination with and without the stinging and also difficulty in going. I wake up some mornings with my bladder so extended and then struggle to go. I learnt to live with this as I had the all clear and thought it was just some thrush or cystitis and I could go for long periods without any real symptoms.
However two years ago I became in a relationship and noticed that I was very tight when having sex, the discharge I was getting became worse I had the stinging and urge feeling almost constantly. I started to get pains in my lower left side of my stomach and I get dull aching in my hips and tops of my thighs.
I went to the doctors and they kept telling me it was thrush, they tested me again for STDs and thrush and each time everything was clear. After months of back and forth I was referred to a Gynecologist, at this point I was so sore even putting a finger near me was unpleasant. I was given internal antibiotic cream for three months (although my doctors messed up the prescription and only gave me one). This did help with some of my symptoms and I went back to the specialist who then gave me different antibiotics for the urine issues, even though all UTI tests were clear! I was given an ultra sound which showed a thick endometrium, free fluid in the pouch of Douglas and echo bright area on my left ovary. Also noted was quite tender on pouch of Douglas and on left ovary as well as left uterosacrals. I got told this could all be normal and to go on the pill to sort it out.
My partner also started to get difficulty in urinating and also frequent, this has been blown off by everyone we have spoken to as not connected. We've been to STI clinics, doctors, nurses, gynecologist and no one can help.
I've currently been given the combined pill which is causing me issues with bleeding which I've been advised to double up my pill each day to try and resolve. I continue to get stomach pain which sometimes is quite uncomfortable, pain that radiates through to my lower back, hip pains, discharge, urine frequency and difficulty in emptying my bladder, plus painful sex.
This is getting me so down that I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any advice or ideas on what this could be? I know I'm not right and really need some help! Thanks

[jns]

I'm not sure I can add anything, but as you explain it, it sounds like things are connected. Was the thick endometrium appropriate for your time in your cycle?

[Sara_88]

Thanks for your reply. The scan was about a week after my last period, do you think that could be an explanation for that?

[jns]

I would think that the endometrium should be relatively thin at that time. Maybe a gynecologist or a nurse in that specialty could give a better answer. Since it is Thanksgiving, the other admins may be busy, but I'll see if they can give you better answers. Ashlee T., atskitty2 , Claret ; your thoughts on Sara's problems?

[Sara_88]

Thank you and happy thanksgiving!

[Ashlee T.]

Sara_88 - Hey! Sorry for the delay in responding. The holidays have us moving slower than usual.

The part throwing me off the most about your situation is the fact that your partner is now experiencing similar symptoms. Has that continued? If those two things are related, it absolutely has to be some type of infection you're passing back and forth. Thrush or yeast CAN be transferred back and forth as can bacterial vaginosis.

The internal antibiotic cream prescription doesn't make sense to me. If they thought you had a yeast issue, why would they prescribe antibiotic to treat it (which typically only worsens yeast) I"m not sure why they didn't just give you several courses of diflucan/flagyl which is a pill you would take to rid of yeast.

If they thought you had bacterial vaginosis, the appropriate treatment would have been an oral antibiotic.

I believe I would be seeking a second opinion from a different OB/GYN at this point.

[atskitty2]

There's a lot here that's puzzling to me. Do you live near any larger university hospitals? If so, and it's a reputable institution, I'd ask for a referral there and get an evaluation by practitioners that have experience with a wider range of illnesses. Sometimes university hospitals are more research based, they're teaching hospitals so, they have a little different approach to diagnosing and patient care than your hometown "Doc Smith". At this point, it sounds like you need an aggressive diagnostic mind to sort through all this and get the treatment you need.

The only thing I can think of otherwise, is something I fought with for quite some time. Your symptoms don't really fit completely, but it's worth a look into, if you're so inclined. It's Group B Strep. It's a normal vaginal bacterial population, but it can become overgrown and wreak havoc. My symptoms were quite similar to yours in the beginning, including mimicking a urinary tract infection. Nothing worked. Nothing!

As the months dragged on, everything subsided except the copious amount of discharge. The treatment for it didn't work either-I think 3 rounds of it didn't help. I finally had to do my own digging, my own research and found natural remedies that got me back on track. It basically overgrows due to a pH imbalance. Once I got that reset, it's been fine, though I do take steps to keep my body in balance so it hasn't recurred.

Anyway...it's kind of a long shot for you, but do a little digging. It is not common. Stress can cause it. Mine happened after a time of stress, and a new sexual partner, so...it sort of fits with your situation.

Look forward to hearing your outcome. I hope you get some relief soon!

[Janee77]

Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome) and Polyomavirus

Studies have shown that some cases of Interstitial Cystitis (IC) may be caused by an infection called the Polyomavirus. Although this is not well researched there have been studies that have shown patients with IC symptoms who have tested positive for the virus. Testing for the Polyomavirus was conducted by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing in a controlled study. Further research is needed for treatment of this virus and it is advised that the reader conducts their own private study as data is currently limited on the topic. This may be causing urethritis and painful bladder symptoms which is why antibiotics haven’t worked.
Source: Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome by Thomas B. Smith

I hope that this helps.