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If you have an autoimmune disorder what kind of Dr do you see? and what questions do you ask so that they may find whats wrong and get treatments for them?
I googled IC and below is what I found. Although I did not see a reference to it being an auto-immune disease. To start, I would see an Urologist.
What is IC/PBS?
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms vary from case to case and even in the same individual. People may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate, a frequent need to urinate, or a combination of these symptoms. Pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills with urine or as it empties. Women’s symptoms often get worse during menstruation. They may sometimes experience pain during vaginal intercourse.
Because IC varies so much in symptoms and severity, most researchers believe it is not one, but several diseases. In recent years, scientists have started to use the term painful bladder syndrome (PBS) to describe cases with painful urinary symptoms that may not meet the strictest definition of IC. The term IC/PBS includes all cases of urinary pain that can’t be attributed to other causes, such as infection or urinary stones. The term interstitial cystitis, or IC, is used alone when describing cases that meet all of the IC criteria established by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
In IC/PBS, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or stiff. Glomerulations—pinpoint bleeding caused by recurrent irritation—often appear on the bladder wall. Hunner’s ulcers are present in 10 percent of people with IC. Some people with IC/PBS find that their bladder cannot hold much urine, which increases the frequency of urination. Frequency, however, is not always specifically related to bladder size; many people with severe frequency have normal bladder capacity. People with severe cases of IC/PBS may urinate as many as 60 times a day, including frequent nighttime urination, also called nocturia.
IC/PBS is far more common in women than in men. Of the estimated 1.3 million Americans with IC, more than 1. million are women.1
What is IC/PBS?
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms vary from case to case and even in the same individual. People may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate, a frequent need to urinate, or a combination of these symptoms. Pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills with urine or as it empties. Women’s symptoms often get worse during menstruation. They may sometimes experience pain during vaginal intercourse.
Because IC varies so much in symptoms and severity, most researchers believe it is not one, but several diseases. In recent years, scientists have started to use the term painful bladder syndrome (PBS) to describe cases with painful urinary symptoms that may not meet the strictest definition of IC. The term IC/PBS includes all cases of urinary pain that can’t be attributed to other causes, such as infection or urinary stones. The term interstitial cystitis, or IC, is used alone when describing cases that meet all of the IC criteria established by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
In IC/PBS, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or stiff. Glomerulations—pinpoint bleeding caused by recurrent irritation—often appear on the bladder wall. Hunner’s ulcers are present in 10 percent of people with IC. Some people with IC/PBS find that their bladder cannot hold much urine, which increases the frequency of urination. Frequency, however, is not always specifically related to bladder size; many people with severe frequency have normal bladder capacity. People with severe cases of IC/PBS may urinate as many as 60 times a day, including frequent nighttime urination, also called nocturia.
IC/PBS is far more common in women than in men. Of the estimated 1.3 million Americans with IC, more than 1. million are women.1
Yes there is and I agree with smile1960. You should be seeing a Rheumatologist for autoimmune diseases. I was kind of confused in the beginning because my allergist also has immunologist next to her name but she works with allergies not autoimmune. Who diagnosed you with that because I have my doubts a family doctor could figure that out. Have you seen a specialist? Did you have blood work done. If so did you have your ANA checked? Was there anything abnormal on your blood work? Sorry, but I am dumb about this. Does this mean you have a cyst in your intestines? I could google it but that's what the name sounds like. If so, have you seen a Gastrointerologist? I'm just full of questions aren't I? I hope you feel OK today. You can message me if you want. God Bless...
Joni
Joni
Yes I have been told that intersitinal cystis is an autoimmune disease but theres more going on that just that is there a dr that specalizes in immune systems?
May I ask what your symptoms are or why you think you ave autoimmune? Just wondering if you have gotten any diagnosis yet. I am willing to help direct you in any way I can. We have all been lost at what to do at one time or another with these diseases.
Joni
Joni
My understanding is that you start with a Rheumentologist. (Sorry, my spelling may be lazy here.) You would also want to check and see how "broad" their practice is. Do they just handle RA or maybe some other specific AI disorder(s).
It can be hard to get into one - esp. if they want a referal from you primary MD who does not think you have a problem. The whole autoimmune disorder issue is misunderstood by so many people.
Also, try RateMDs.com. You may find some firsthand info about docs there. I try to avoid those "docotors that doctors would go" to lists, because - in my experience - they are just recommending buddies.
I think a good Rheumetologist will have a checklist of symptoms that you can fill out\check off when you go there. But try this: starting at the top (your head) make a list of symptoms, when\how you experience them, etc. At the least, it will give you something to refer to when you do go in.
Best of Luck!
It can be hard to get into one - esp. if they want a referal from you primary MD who does not think you have a problem. The whole autoimmune disorder issue is misunderstood by so many people.
Also, try RateMDs.com. You may find some firsthand info about docs there. I try to avoid those "docotors that doctors would go" to lists, because - in my experience - they are just recommending buddies.
I think a good Rheumetologist will have a checklist of symptoms that you can fill out\check off when you go there. But try this: starting at the top (your head) make a list of symptoms, when\how you experience them, etc. At the least, it will give you something to refer to when you do go in.
Best of Luck!
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