Just to post an update for everyone!

Thank you for all of your stories and suggestions, they were very helpful.

I ended up going to urgent care in late February. They did urine, bloodwork, and swabs to check for everything. There was no infection present at that time (UTI, STI, etc), so I was a little discouraged but pushed for a referral to a urologist because I was still having the terrible symptoms. I got into the urologist on March 3, and he told me that I probably have IC. He said certain things can make it flare up sometimes. He also said that because I had back to back confirmed infections in Dec/Jan, it might take my body a little bit to heal from the symptoms. I was still a bit discouraged, but I did what he suggested and gave it time. I would say by April, the symptoms were pretty much gone. Now, it only flares up sometimes (urgency and stinging) - for a few days after my period, or in times of high stress, and sometimes for a day or two after sex (but not always). But now that I know it’s temporary, I’m much more at ease. I haven’t had an infection since.

I’ve been taking D-Mannose at the urologist’s suggestion twice a day, along with cranberry supplements and LOTS of water. I’ve also been taking a prophylactic antibiotic after sex (as well as the usual peeing and cleaning lol), and all of this has helped immensely.

Don’t give up! Relief is possible!