Hi I Am New Here!

[LindaAnn2154]

Hi My name is Linda Ann.
And I was just diagnoised. I have been put through the ringer for a year. My Uro had me on anitbiotic therapy for a year. Then I just kept getting pain more and more. And then I would get infections that would be amunied to the antibiotic I was on. I am still on antibiotics and he started me on Elmiron and that has caused me to have ringing in my ears. So I don't know how long he will keep me on it if this is a side effect. I have problems with sex. Thank goodness my hubby is understanding. I just wish I could find something that would give me relief. Anyway. I am 50, married for 31 yrs. and have 3 kids. All grown. I spend most of my time reading, knitting or on good days photography. I look forward to meeting you all.
Linda Ann :angel:

[traceann]

Hi Linda! My name is Tracey and I am new here too. I just started posting here last week! (total newbie!) I was just diagnosed the middle of this month and have been on the Elmiron for a little over 1 week, and the diet strictly for 1 week. I can identify with how you feel, relief would be wonderful! I am just getting through what I guess one would call my first big flare-- has not been a pleasant experience, but I have found some super coping strategies here at this site, from all the women. They are so helpful and caring -- lots of practical "I've tried this"-type of suggestions. I have found tons of unexpected relief from trying this tidbit or that... So, welcome from another newbie, and I know someone will give you links to the handbook and such (so VERY helpful, with sex tips, diet tips etc. -- a must-read!), as I don't have them, but never fear--someone will!

Tracey
P.S. My favorite tip I read here, and I can't remember who to give the credit to, but thank-you, you saved my sanity! Here it is: On a car trip recently for Thanksgiving the 3 hour return trip was a nightmare just starting, I had my honey stop at a convenience store and buy me a bottled water (ice cold) and I held it strategically between my legs (kind of half sat on it)...oh my, it was pure relief! I had to change bottles a couple more times as they got warm, but I felt really normal riding that way, no pain! :) And plenty of bottled water to drink too! Worked like a charm in a pinch on the road!

[vm]

So glad you found us, Linda. :) I am sorry you haven't found relief yet, but remember that "yet" part. Most people with IC do find treatments that help them feel better so keep that hope. It sometimes involves a lot of waiting and trial and error with different treatments - but most ICers do get there.

Hope to see you around. :)

[SharonA]

Hi, Linda and :welcome: ...

So glad you have found us. I do hope you will find relief very soon. There are many treatments out there that can help you live a pretty normal life, even with IC. It may take some time to discover which ones work for you. That is one of the most irritable aspects of IC. There is no ONE treatment that works for all of us. It would be wonderful if that were the case. I hold out hope that one day, very soon, we will have a handle on what causes IC. When that happens, then we will know the common factors we all share and will have the treatments that work for us all. Then, we will have a cure. Until then, keep working with you doctors to find the best treatments for you. :)

The link to the handbook is: wwwic-network.com/handbook (http://)

[Dixiefireball]

:hi: Linda and :welcome: to the ICN family you will find lots of support here and some great information.
Sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[VickiB]

Hi and welcome Linda Ann,

I have to agree with the others, the beginning is usually the worst time! Please do check out the IC diet if you haven't already! That one step brought me almost immediate relief from the pain I was in.

It can take a while to find the right treatment for you, but don't give up hope! Most of us do get there! Like Sharon, I wish they had a better idea of what causes this, leading to a sure-fire treatment. Hopefully, that day is just around the corner!

Vicki

[lindy lou]

Hi Linda Ann,

Welcome! Welcome! Like wow!. My name is Linda Ann also and I am 52, married 30 years with 2 college students. As you will find, there is great information here and wonderful support from our IC family I was dx in July and started on Elmiron and Elavil. It has just been recently that I can say that I finally have moments of "normal" again. Just be patient, take an active role in your treatment by reading and learning all you can. It takes time to come to grips with this disease and to absorb all the information out there. As you probably know by now, everyone is different in their symptoms and treatment successes. That's why these boards are so helpful. You hear our collective experiences and don't feel so alone in your fight to regain some normalcy in your life. Work or not, single or married, young kids or grown, we all share something, IC, and can support one another.

Linda

[Babs RN]

Welcome to ICN! We are so glad you are here!

Hugs,
Barb

[Katrina]

:hi:LindaAnn :welcome: to the ICN!
Another goo place is the ICA...just put in your topic for search and you will find your info http://www.ichelp.com/AskTheDoctor/search.html


One idea for the side affect of elmiron is to take it out of the capsul and put it in a glass of water and drink it.

I hope you can find a treatment that helps you.

:grouphug:

[curlycue]

Welcome Linda Ann

This is a great plc to be. I hope you find some kind of treatment soon. Dont get discouraged.

[Rosalie]

Hello LindaAnn and welcome.
You have come to the right place. I have no doubt that the advice you will receive here will be the first step to some relief for you.
What I have found to be the most immediate relief were the diet, heated pads and my wonderful donut cushion. Oh, and the bicarb soda in water, tastes yuck, works great!
It is nice to hear from more people of my own vintage. I am 52, married 21years with 19yr and 16yr old.
Looking forward to hearing more from you on the boards.
I'll give you a G'day but if the other Aussies read this they will probably give me hell Ha!
Rosalie

[dancemomof2]

:welcome: Glad you found us, one word of advice, read it all slowly. It can sure overwhelm you to try to absorb all this at one time. Once again WELCOME!!

[LindaAnn2154]

Thank you for your freindly welcomes. :angel:
Linda Ann

[Imustpee]

Welcome to the club..... :)