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The Interstitial Cystitis Network provides information and support to the on-line community of IC patients. We did not become aware of Eosinophilic Cystitis until Cricket, a brave woman from Tennessee, took the time to share with us her experience. As such a rare disease, we hope that we will find others for Cricket to correspond with and to provide gathering place for basic information on EC on the internet.

The Interstitial Cystitis Network is a publishing company exclusively dedicated to interstitial cystitis and other pelvic pain disorders. Founded in 1994, our company began first as a web site, one of the first urology web sites established and the first interstitial cystitis web site created on-line. We have since served hundreds of thousands of patients throughout the world. And, as many IC'ers have said to us, the ICN offers a home for IC patients who, for years, felt so alone.

The best way to navigate our site is from the the front page (http://www.ic-network.com) or Site Map. If you're looking for the latest information, articles and industry press releases on IC, make sure that you visit our "What's New on the ICN" page? If you'd like to stay informed and be notified of our guest lecture and chat schedules, sign up for our free ICN E-Newsletter.

Most patients begin in our ICN Patient Handbook, which is a large archive of patient education materials on a wide variety of topics, from diagnostic techniques to treatments and self care. If you're a researcher at heart, you'll enjoy browsing our IC Library, where you can read the latest research abstracts and articles on-line. And, if you're curious about what doctors think of IC around the country, make sure that you read our "Meet the IC Expert" Guest Lecture series transcripts, where you can review the lectures from many of the best and brightest IC professionals in the world!

Our site thrives because of the many volunteers and patients who have contributed their time and work. Bev Laumann, author of "Taste of the Good Life: A Cookbook for An Interstitial Cystitis Diet", has written dozens of monthly columns on the topic of IC and diet which we have titled "Fresh Tastes by Bev." If you're looking for new diet ideas, that's a great place to begin, along with our own on-line IC Chef Cookbook. If you are struggling with understanding medications, our Drug Glossary could be very useful. If you can't afford them, we also have an extensive list of all current Drug Assistance Programs.

One of the highlights of our site is a wonderful contribution given by Lesa F., who contributed a Pregnancy Journal to inspire other IC patients during their own pregnancies. It's a one of a kind treasure of inspiration and information for those who are considering pregnancy. And, parents with IC might find our IC Coloring Book very helpful in explaining IC and their repeated doctor visits to their young children.

If anyone expresses doubts about information on-line, you can share with them the Consumer Awareness and Internet safety information found in our on-line handbook. We take our responsibility to provide reliable information very seriously and follow the HonCode: Health Code of Conduct For Medical Web Sites (ID# 269714). This is one reason why the ICN has received several Medical & Web Site Awards and was named one of the top five health web sites on-line in 1999 by the GII Awards, in the select company of the Mayo Clinic and AEGIS (The AIDS International Database Project). We are also four star mental health net web site.

As you use the ICN, we hope that you will share the information on our site with your physicians, families, friends and support group members. There are still millions of others with IC who are being told that there is no hope. They have no idea that there are new treatments or even basic diet information. There are physicians (especially primary care providers, family medicine & emergency room staff) who are unaware that IC is a legitimate disease. We must educate as many people as we can.

I encourage you to be an active participant in your medical care. Create a partnership with your doctor as you both seek to understand and find a treatment for your IC. Join the on-line support groups and activities so that you can gain support and then offer support to someone else in need. And, if you find our site helpful, please consider supporting our work by purchasing an ICN Subscription.

As Vicki Ratner, President of the ICA-US, once said "Instead of giving up, we found each other." I wish you well! Be wise! Be strong and always keep the faith!