DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an 88-year-old woman, and I have interstitial cystitis. The pain is terrible. My doctor offers no help. Can you help? — Anon.

ANSWER: Constant trips to the bathroom, pelvic (the pelvis lies below the abdomen and contains the bladder, the ovaries, the uterus and the rectum) pain, pain on passing urine, often painful intercourse and a total disruption of one’s life are the consequences of interstitial cystitis, IC. Most often, the patient has been treated for years with antibiotics because the symptoms resemble those of a bladder infection. But no infection is present, and no antibiotic works.

Women are more often afflicted by IC, but men get it too. The cause hasn’t definitely been identified. It may be that the protective layer of the bladder is no longer intact. Without it, waste products in the urine irritate the bladder wall. Or a substance called antiproliferative factor, found in the urine of those with IC, stops the growth of new bladder cells to replace worn-out cells. That might be the cause. A third speculation is that the process comes from the body’s own immune system attacking the bladder.

You must see another doctor, a gynecologist or urologist who deals with IC. Treatments exist. Amitriptyline, taken at night, can give you uninterrupted sleep without trips to the bathroom. Atarax, an antihistamine, works for some. Elmiron, an oral medicine, contributes to the repair of the bladder lining. Sometimes it’s used in conjunction with lidocaine or heparin instilled into the bladder.

Above all, contact the Interstitial Cystitis Association at its toll-free number, 800-435-7422, or online at www.ichelp.org. The association will provide you with information on the latest treatments and will bring hope to you for control of a condition that disrupts your life.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Through the years for various issues, I began taking the below-listed vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. I want to make sure they are not detrimental to my health. It’s a total of 10 pills in the morning and five at night. I would appreciate your opinion. — C.

ANSWER: How about I give you the recommended daily allowance for the vitamins and the two minerals you take? I’m confused about the amount of calcium and vitamin D on your list. Include in the total the vitamins in your multivitamin.

The daily recommended intake for vitamin D for adults up to 70 years old is 600 IU, and for those 71 and older, 800 IU. The uppermost limit for vitamin D is 4,000 IU. For calcium, it’s 1,000 mg for adults up to age 50, and 1,200 for those older. The uppermost limit for calcium is 2,000 mg. The daily suggested intake for vitamin E is 15 mg (23 IU). For vitamin C, the recommended dietary allowance is 75 mg a day for women and 90 for men. For the mineral selenium, the daily dose is 55 micrograms.

If a person has no history of heart disease, the suggested daily dose for omega-3 fatty acids is 250 mg to 500 mg; for those with a history of heart disease, it’s 1 to 3 grams.

You don’t have to get your vitamins through pills. Foods provide them. You’re taking a lot of pills.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I saw an ad for an herbal preparation to improve my sex life. I am 70 and have atrial fibrillation, diabetes and an abdominal aneurysm. I miss sex. My fiance asked that I write to you before ordering the herbal remedy. — C.H.

ANSWER: I don’t know the ingredients in the herbal mix. However, I have a streak of skepticism when it comes to such claims. If it did work well, it would be getting worldwide attention. I don’t believe it will hurt you, but I wonder if it would help. I see you have many health problems. Why not ask your doctor if you are a candidate for Viagra, Cialis or Levitra? They have a proven record of success.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.