corrine
Hi. I am 24 and I have a bladder disease called Interstitial Cystitis. Most doctors think only middle-aged women get it, but most doctors are simply misinformed about the disease. I believe I have had it my entire life-I remember being little and having symptoms similiar to UTI's. The disease came to a peak at 16, after contracting mononucleosis, which has really cleared up (low-grade fever, fatigue, etc.). Firstly, IS THERE BACTERIA PRESENT IN HER URINE? Doctors opften prescribe antibiotics after a dip-stick test or looking under a microscope, but only a true lab culture (where they grow the bacteria) can decipher an infection. I have been treated with repeated courses of antibiotics for "infections" which I later came to find out were negative. I think you should have your daughter tested for the Epstein-Barr virus (mono) and that you should do some research on Interstitial Cystitis--DON'T let the doctors rule that out. As I'm sure you are discovering, doctors are incredibly difficult, particularly when you try to initiate a diagnosis and/or treatment, but be persistent. If it hadn't been for my mother I would still be having doctors tell me that it's "all in my head." These are some things worth looking into. My urine smells bad all the time, my symptoms are nearly the same as that of a UTI, but since I was correctly diagnosed at least now I am able to seek proper treatment. Please feel free to e-mail me at corrsmith@aol.com I understand what your daughter is going through and it is truly miserable. Corrine.