I have also been suffering since I was two months old. I am 37 now and got a diagnosis of ic a week ago. The advice to see a urologist is a good one. I suffered from abdominal pain, kidney infections, and uti since practically birth. The pain in my belly got worse around age14. My MD gave me sugar pills and told my mom it was all in my head. I went most of my life without insurance and couldn't afford proper medical care untill the past few years. Boy am I glad now.
My youngest son is almost 2 and yes I feel like I did with in the first few weeks of birth. I had a c-section. My insides and my bowels get all inflamed and I get hemoroids and diareah with my periods not to mention having the symptoms everyday anyhow, they got to go and get worse 2 weeks out of the month. Not to mention, I swell up gaining 5 to 10 pounds at a time. My mother will notice my swelling automatically. (MOTHERS) My clothes get too tight and I get lathargic. I believe that my kidneys are interstitial also; however, I am without a diagnosis on that one. When I go for urine samples they are normal. I only have blood in my urine once in a while and it is at home. A lot a good it does if the doc can't see the symptoms. Anyhoo-another story.
Also becareful what kind of lotions and soaps you use. Use only hypoalergenic. Since birth soaps and lotions made me have unbearable symptoms. Don't use condoms either. They hurt. If anyone reads this and they are not married, then just don't have sex. Definitely follow the others advice and watch what you eat and drink. If you have ic, you are basically allergic to most foods. Artificial sweeteners, dry creamers, sugars (which turn into yeast-which cause inflamation), caffiene, chocolate, mgs (just don't eat a lot of prepackaged foods), oranges, tomatoes- anything with acid, cinamon, nutmeg, most spices. You'll find that most of your life you already new these foods made you ill. Also if you smoke, don't. There is a compound in the smoke APF and it is processed through your urinary systym. ie...through your kidneys and bladder making your symptoms flare up.
good luck with finding everything out. It is very difficult and painful. I know. I am sorry for every body that has to suffer through this horrible syndrome. Just start by changing your diet and giving your body time to clean out. That is the best thing that you can do for yourself.
You may want to obtain a referral to a urologist as they specialize in urinary tract disorders and diseases. I had my first visit yesterday with a urologist, who scheduled me to come back in a few weeks for a cystoscopy. He will look inside my bladder using a small instrument to see what the cause of my pain may be.
I also have frequency and urgency, combined with a warm, stinging pain in my bladder area between my naval and pubic bone. Upon urination, it momentarily subsides but soon starts up again as my bladder fills up. I believe that I have IC--I've had this feeling of urgency and bladder pain since I was a child. I used to liken it to having bumblebees in my tummy when I explained the sensation to my parents years ago. I was diagnosed with Overactive Bladder 3 years ago by my primary care doctor. To my understanding, pain and pressure in the bladder is not normal- I ask my husband what does it feel like when he has to go to the bathroom, and he always tells me that it does not feel like the way I feel--painful stinging sensations in the bladder area. But it's the only feeling I've known since childhood. I hope all turns out well with you, but definitely do not hesitate to seek the advice of a medical professional.