Pain in urethra

I’m so sorry you are in pain and not getting any help.As you know I had similar symptoms with Interstitial cystitis.When the bladder spasms and cramps got unbearable I had acupuncture.It really helped and it might be of benefit to you if you can afford it.I hope you get somewhere with the nurse.Love and best wishes Jane x

Thanks Jane, I really need to look at acupuncture if it's going to help. I suspect that the docs and nurses might frown on such treatments. 

Hi Chris,My local urologist is all for acupuncture,he mentioned that it might help at my first appointment.He is open minded though.I was sceptical to begin with but noticed such a difference that I quickly became a convert.I didn’t feel any worse for trying it.Best wishes Jane

Did you go down the pain management route at the hospital? I might push to see a doctor if I can with a view to seek out a acupuncturist privately of course, locally. Thanks for the heads up. I'm sure there are others on this forum with exactly my symptoms. Take care Chris

No I didn’t.My sister Sarah was having acupuncture at the time and finding it helpful for her ailments.She suggested I might like to try it so I booked an appointment with her acupuncturist.He was very good.It is important to find a skilled practitioner.I can’t remember how many treatments I had altogether as this was about 20 years ago.I had a break when I had no money but went back to it later.I feel for anyone going through cystitis however it occurred.I only had mild symptoms until I was allergic to IVP dye during a pylegram.I retained some of the dye and that made the cystitis much worse.Best wishes Jane 

Saying that about dye, I did wonder if you have a fragile bladder does the dye they use for CT scans in anyway have an impact on your bladder? 

I don’t know but have wondered about it.The radiographer was telling me that the newer dyes are safer.It was 1983 when I had the allergic reaction to the contrast and it was a brand new dye at the time.Typically I was the first person to have an adverse reaction to it at that hospital.I felt boiling hot as soon as they administered it and was quickly itching and covered in huge hives.I had to stay at the hospital for several hours afterwards.I was allowed home in the early evening but still had the hives the next day although they had gone down.It was a frightening experience.My sister and I are both quite allergic but to different things.Best wishes Jane