Interstitial cystitis (bladder pain syndrome)

This is a chronic illness typified by exacerbations and remissions with varying degrees of symptom severity. There are no steadfast data that can chronicle the frequency and severity of exacerbations in the average patient population. Many patients experience constant pain for 5 or more years. There can be times when extended remissions are possible, and most patients benefit from maintenance therapy based on their primary symptoms (urgency, pain, dyspareunia). Ulcerative IC patients may have remission after ulcer resection and relapses requiring repeat procedures. Long-term immunosuppression is still being investigated in selected patients.