I think antiobiotic overuse over a life time is one of the biggest root causes of my IC.  I am a pharmacist and I worry about my residents who take frequent antibiotics and all the resistance that develops.  Surgery is always a risk, and not being able to do knee and hip replacements would be so sad for the folks that need them.  I am really torn because antibiotics can really help some people, but I think we use them way too much with out culture and sensitivities.  Most prescribing is guess work and trial and error.  It doesn't help that many meats have hormones and antibiotics with out good labeling. 

I agree that antibiotics are over used. My minor health problems started after being on antibiotics for acne as a teenager.  Then I was antibiotics off and on for almost two years while trying to treat suspected "bladder infections."  They definitely played a big part in my case of IC.