Ecellent lecture and explanation Missy! Heres one to explain how the GI tract reactions actually intiate Iterstital Cystitis in masto patients (done by urologists) --Look at page

www.painful-bladder.org/pdf/2008_AUA_Orlando.pdf

On that report--under number 170
NEUROGENIC CYSTITIS INDUCED BY COLONIC IRRIGATION RESULTS IN INCREASED UROTHELIAL PERMEABILITY THAT PARALLELS BLADDER MASTOCYTOSIS AND HYPERACTIVITY.
It very important, it states;
The results of this study indicate that C-fiber activation in the uninsulted organ results in mastocytosis in 4 days. While damage was seen in the colon, no damage was observed in the bladder, only mastocytosis.

under number 176
MAST CELL-DERIVED HISTAMINE MEDIATES CYSTITIS PAIN
under number 178
INTERRUPTION OF MAST CELL FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY INHIBITS
BLADDER INFLAMMATION IN AN AUTOIMMUNE CYSTITIS MODEL

Here  is an NIH study that might help some people
Hydroxyzine inhibits neurogenic bladder mast cell activation.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9839659
I now take Vistaril (Hydroxyzine ), twice a day and it certainly helps me.
good luck,
Ramona

I wonder how many people on this board have IC symptoms and I wonder how many people on the IC message boards have all over body pain, rashes, hives, GI problems, etc.  Kinda makes you think doesn't it?  Maybe some day the drs. will put all the mast cell pieces together.

I so agree Lisa!
Melissa