Great post, Jewels!! Having been there myself (and I had the fortune of meeting a doctor who was semi-retired, but his previous research dove-tailed with much of mine, making our discussions VERY FRUITFUL), I wanted to throw in my two cents. Did you know that M.S. patients deal with this, too? Interesting, huh? When I had a UTI for over a month, while being on two of the strongest antibiotics out there, I assumed it was merely a reflection of our lowered immune systems (also indicated with candida, high viral Ab titers, etc). But then, like you, I wasn’t sure if I was developing interstitial cystitis or if I had a chronic UTI (they can feel the same, early on). I bought some OTC strips that check for UTI’s so that I could tell when/if I had one. I WAS sliding toward IC. YIKES. The treatment trials will cover this. This horrible condition is pure fallout from the rest of the problems we have. Fortunately, I responded IMMEDIATELY (literally within 36 hours) to focused treatment. By all means, stay on Mg and antihistamines, but I think you’ll need something else to fight this, too. At least I did! Generally, there are no mast cells in the bladder (I discussed this with a mast cell specialist), but found a research article showing MICE had mast cells in their bladders if they were low in Mg (and we are all low in Mg intracellularly, right?). I don’t think it is the MAIN cause of the IC, but it sure won’t help! So for now — H1 antagonists, right? Are you on any mast cell stabilizers? Also great. Then let’s get us all on TREATMENT!! Working on it now… big hug, 🙂 Diana