In many cases patients have the feeling as if somebody were permanently cutting the bladder and the urethra with a razor blade. The pain is similar to that of a bacterial infection but much more profound. It can be compared to the pain of a severe cancer and in many cases it can only be suppressed by taking morphine. Some patients have in addition also muscular and articular pain, migraine, allergic reactions, colonic and gastric problems. At present it is not yet clarified whether there is a relationship between these phenomenons and interstitial cystitis, but there is a high likelihood.
Most IC patients have difficulties obtaining a diagnosis at all.
A cystoscopy becomes necessary if there is no case of infection and no other disorder can be detected. These are currently the recognised typical symptoms of the disease. The following treatments include a series of measures which have contributed in many patients towards an alleviation or moderation of the syndrome. In this way the bladder muscle is to be activated. Anti-inflammatory tablets, antispasmodic, antiallergenic agents, sedatives and muscle relaxants as well as antidepressants.