- Written By: C. Peete
- Edited By: Lauren Fritsky
- Last Modified Date: 14 March 2012
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Trigonitis is an inflammation in the vesical trigone region of the urinary bladder. The vesical trigone is a triangular region of the urinary bladder wall, its three angles corresponding with the urethra and ureters. It is a condition seen more commonly in women than in men. The cause of trigonitis is still unknown, and to date, there is no solid treatment option. It is a condition that is still somewhat of a mystery.
Symptoms of trigonitis are almost identical to those of interstitial cystitis (IC). These symptoms include bladder pain, abnormal increase in frequency and urge to urinate, particularly at night, and reduced bladder capacity. Bladder sensitivity to certain foods, such as cranberry juice, citrus foods and chocolate, difficulty sitting or discomfort during sex can also occur. Trigonitis is often misdiagnosed as IC because of the similarity in symptoms, and patients often have suffered with the symptoms for a while before the condition is correctly diagnosed. There is no specific high-risk group—however, some studies have revealed a correlation between family or childhood history of bladder infections and the occurrence of the condition.
What distinguishes IC from trigonitis is the cobblestone-like appearance of the vesical trigone area when it is inflamed. A cytoscopic examination of a white patch of tissue from the trigone is performed to confirm diagnosis of the condition. Like IC, treatment can be lengthy and stressful for patients due to the fact that there is no known cure. There is also uncertainty as to whether trigonitis is a separate condition and not just another name for IC because of the symptoms and scarcity of information about it. It is sometimes assumed by some doctors that the cobblestone-like appearance of an inflamed trigone is normal, which can impede accurate diagnosis.
There is no single treatment option for trigonitis. An effective course of treatment for one patient may not work for another. Antibiotics are prescribed if infection accompanies inflammation of the bladder. Drugs used to treat trigonitis are some of the same ones used to treat IC. These include bladder coatings, antidepressants and antihistamines. Antispasmodics and bladder anaesthetics can also be used.
Intravesical treatment options include the use of silver nitrate, heparin and clorpactin. While these treatment methods have proven effective in some people and ineffective in others, they merely alleviate symptoms of the condition itself. Surgical options, such as bladder augmentation or cystectomy, are sometimes considered, but only as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.
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darla04
Post 6 |
To amend the last post anon201081. The urine test strip was high for white cells, not blood. Sometimes this doesn't even show. My point is that Trimethoprim is worth a try. It works for me. |
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anon201081
Post 5 |
I had bladder problems as a child (I'm now 58). When I was in my 30s I was fortunate to have a gyn who really listened and thought. He suspected trigonitis and said it often doesn't show in the urine. Treatment was Bactrim, but since I'm allergic to sulfa, he gave me trimethoprim for 21 days. I quickly got better and finished the course. I had an understanding doc when I moved to Atlanta, who gave me script for use when I needed it. I don't usually need more than week or 10 days. I'm having a rough episode now, the first in a while but when it felt like a nail was in my peehole, I knew what to do. I had a high white blood count, negative nitrite in urine which is typical. The nitrite indicate gram neg in fx (80 percent of UTI which is why they hang their hat on it) and this is usually gram positive. So ask your doc about this. I've also used the silver nitrite for discomfort and it helped. I'm now on Urelle and Pyridium. I sometimes have retention and drank a coke (all those things mentioned bad). Also very stressed right now so I was prime. Good luck to everyone. --Julie |
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anon185933
Post 4 |
I also have a lot of problems with my bladder. Since an early age i had about three urinary tract infections a year, and the last one was so bad it lasted three weeks and I changed medication three times and since then I have had an irritable bladder, always tender. It was a lot worse last summer. Now that i have cut on all caffeine i feel a lot better but still feel it all the time. I can't even press on my lower belly where the bladder is because it's so tender. Even during sexual intercourse it doesn't feel good and makes it worse sometimes. I am 31 years old and fed up with this, and if i have to live like this for always, well, it isn't worth it. Some people will say i exaggerate but it's to a point that some days i am depressed and don't want to do anything. I don't want to move even though i have lots to do. my husband also can see that i am not 100 percent. this is not a way to live for me or others who are like me. I hope someday soon they get a cure for this. Like you say i think the same. I wonder if i will ever recover also from this. It's been more than a year now. |
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CaithnessCC
Post 3 |
In my experience you can get a lot of relief by changing what you eat and drink. Things to cut out completely at the start would be tea (including green tea), coffee, many fruit juices and soda. You can introduce them again slowly to see if they cause a flare for you, as reactions vary between people. Some herb teas and some juices, such as blueberry, are usally safe.
Processed meats, regular breads, many nuts and lots of other foods tend to be triggers. There is however quite a long list of generally safe foods, so it's not too depressing. Managing and restricting your diet is a small price to pay for relief in most sufferer's opinion. |
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Acracadabra
Post 2 |
@Windchime - My mother developed this problem when she was around 40 years old. She has gotten a whole lot of good advice and support from an interstitial cystitis network that she found online.
I would advise you to join something like that, as it's a lot easier to talk to people who know what you are feeling, and aren't going to close down at the mention of bladder spasms!
As a family we try our best to educate ourselves about this condition, and offer what comfort we can. The excellent news is that many people do go into remission, and this can last for years.
Hang on in there, and try to take it one day at a time. |
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Windchime
Post 1 |
As a child I had a lot of bladder problems. It went away for several years before trigonitis symptoms started to appear. I'm pretty much a classic case and having exhausted many other avenues it's become an official diagnosis.
My doctor is supportive but feels I should focus more on acceptance than trying to find a mystical cure. To be honest that's hard to take.
The subject of women and incontinence isn't something I want to deal with when socialising with friends or spending time with family. I am too afraid of not making it to the bathroom in time to spend the night at anyone's house or take a vacation.
Am I fooling myself to think that I will ever recover from this condition? |
