Big Flare

[theclownster]

Hi all! I'm not one to typically have serious serious flares as I think I'm fairly fortunate to have more of a mild case of IC. However, I think I've been in a flare for about 2 weeks - nothing too bad but nonetheless annoying. For about 3 days this week I was starting to feel better and then tonight I've had the worse pain I've had in months - it's so irritating and difficult to deal with. As I right this post, it appears to be subsiding a bit. Earlier, it felt so bad I was seriously contemplating going to the ER. I luckily have an appointment scheduled with my primary care physician in the morning and I'm hoping maybe he will test me for a UTI just to be certain that it's just my IC. If I continue to be miserable, I'll tell my primary care and also phone my Uro. He just told me last week to remember I can call anytime 24/7. If it gets much worse tonight, I'll take a pyridium plus or prosed till morning.

Ok, so you are probably wondering what my flare coping strategy is. I'm trying to figure that out myself. Hmmm.... I guess it would be to hope that it can and will get better.

Thanks for listening to me complain!
Jennifer

[Rosalie]

Not Complaining Jenifer, just telling it like it is. I hope you are feeling better soon. I find reading and typing away on these boards helps, knowing everyone out there understands and sympathizes.
Best Wishes
Rosalie

[kelly McC]

((((Huggs)))) hope your feeling better good luck with your appointment,
take care,
Kelly

[vm]

Hope you feel better soon and I'll give it the old IC "I hope it is an infection so you can make it go away!!!!!" :lmao: Let us know how the appt. goes, OK? :kissing:

[Sarojini]

Hey Jennifer,

I hope you feel better really soon... I kind of hope it's a UTI so you can get on some antibiotics to make it all better in a few days!! Do let us know how it goes at the doctor today... I'll be thinking of you!

[dyno]

I am glad you will be getting checked for a UTI so that you can get that fixed if that is what it is. Hope you feel better soon.

[ibtracy]

Hi there, sorry to hear you're feeling so crummy. I know how you feel, I'm flaring and have kidney infection. I hope it's a UTI cause once you get on those antibiotics you'll be feeling better within a few days. Sending you a cyber angel and hope you feel better really soon. Keep us posted, okay? :angel:

Tracy

[theclownster]

Hello everyone! Thanks for all your support and nice replies. It sure helped to read them. I'm sorry I have not responded sooner as my internet at home is out and I kept trying to get online last night, but my internet connection would drop - it was rather annoying.

My primary care doctor appointment was actually for my yearly physical and it went as good as can be expected. It was a rather lengthy visit where the doctor gets my full medical history - parents, other family members, etc.

Ironically, I had just started my period (which also causes me to flare a a bit) so I have to go back next week for the pap smear part of the exam. The doc was very supportive. He did decide to get a urine sample, however the nurse said it will come back inconclusive because I'm on my period. If, I'm still feeling crappy, I'll let my doc know next week when I go in for my pap smear. The pain has subsided - but does intensify at varying times of the day- which I think is part of IC while on my period. I did get permission from my doctor to only have a period 4 times per year. Thus, I will take my birth control pills for 3 months straight then take the week of placebos for 4 cycles per year. I'm hoping this will help with the flaring part of things.

Personally, I think I have an underactive thyroid which has added tremendously to my weight gain. I'm not for certain and the doc is also testing that. He tested it last year and it came back "within normal limits" However, I've been suffering from unexplainable weight gain for 2+ years (even prior to elavil - lol), I'm always tired, have extremely dry skin (scaly), have pretty darn cold hands and feet - all symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. My mom had serious thyroid dysfunction since she was a teenager - which also increases my risk.

Okay okay - I know, I've babbled enough - thanks for listening again~
Jennifer

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

[shinana]

Jennifer, I wondered if you were able to get relief from your Flare. I believe I have been in a constant one for about 3 months. Anyway sending Hugs your way

[theclownster]

Thanks for the kind thoughts! I just was thinking today - that I've been having a good couple of days - I don't want to jynx (spelling ?) it though - so let's pretend I didn't say that - lol.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

Jennifer

[songbird7]

I am always so sorry to read that someone is flaring, length and severity varies. I am flaring myself right now so I know how you are feeling. I want to let you know that everyone here is in my thoughts and prayers. May those flares pass quickly.
Gentle healing and hugs from Songbird

[shinana]

For the first day in many I am leaving the house. I have had alot of pain since my hydro/DMSO treatment, however today and I don't want to jinx it either I am feeling pretty good. This has been a painful ride and I am looking forward to getting off.
To all have a glorious day and Hugs your way.

[WeeweeHurtz]

My flares are worse around period time also. Have you tried the do's and don't's diet yet? I don't know, but I switched to Evian water and I've been feeling way better lately. I think I've tried every bottled spring water known. Hope you are feeling better.

[trytosmile]

Ok to vent. My poor husband listens to me every day. Fortunate for me he is understanding. I too am in the midst of a flare myself, going on 7 weeks now. I have pain constantly but gets worse at times and this is one of those times. How to settle down, that I have yet to figure out. Rest, relaxation and alot of cursing ! Can be such a frustrating illness and that is a battle in inself. They say, keep stress out of your life, well if you piss out razor blades 24 / 7 you'd be stressed too. I find a warm bath with baking soda or epson salt helps and then there is always the old faithful, the heating pad. Bandages for the time. Hope your flare settles down soon.