Sitting through college courses

[Monika76]

If I make sure to go right before class starts, I can sit through an 1 1/2 class but then I have to go right away. Certain nights I can sleep between 5-8 hrs without having to go, but on average it's 5 hrs. What case/stage would you consider me to be?

[Sarojini]

That is something only your doctor can help you with. However, I hope you're feeling okay and that you've got a treatment plan that helps you :grouphug: I'm sure IC is difficult in college.

[Sashabella]

I think you have to see a dr. to get a diagnosis. I am in a similar situation to you (but I rarely have pain) and my dr. has given me Detrol LA to help reduce frequency. I just started it yesterday but I hope it helps.

Have you seen a Dr? I think a good urologist is the first place to start.

[ICNDonna]

Only a very tiny percentage of people with IC get worse. If you have been diagnosed and are being treated, and are following an IC diet, your IC may stay stable.

My IC was diagnosed in 1975 and I found that once I found my food triggers and which treatment options work best for me, I started feeling better.

Donna

[kat1107]

I agree with everyone else when they say you should go see a good urologist. You might want to look on the internet to see if any urologist in your area that specializes in IC. I know how hard it is to being in college and having IC. I can usually sit through a whole class but sometime I am sitting and watching the clock waiting for class to be over. I have found myself having to go to the restroom after class, and but the time I walk to my next class (about 15mins), I will have to go again; that way I can sit through my next class. Good luck!

:grouphug:

[Monika76]

Oh, I have found an urologist who specializes in IC. It's just my next app. isn't until 3 weeks from now. I am overwhelmed with questions and anxiety abotu my situation.

Thank you to who ever said that IC rarely gets worse, that helps to know, especially for my mental sanity. However, why is it that IC kind of worsened for me over the last few months? I just don't understand! I gave up alcohol and the obvious food choices a few weeks ago and no change!

I also would like to add that ever since I read that story titled "For the Love of My Family" I got really down. I hope I never end up liek that.

[ICNDonna]

What happened to me when I first developed IC was that my symptoms started and I got worse for the first few months. I saw a urologist about my problem and it did take about six months for a diagnosis. Once I was diagnosed and treatment started, that initial awful stuff got better. That was thirty years ago and the feeling then was that IC was extremely rare so it wasn't usually considered until every other possibility was ruled out. I think it's much better now, especially if you see a doctor who is familiar with it.

You can follow the link below to read my IC story.

Donna

[Monika76]

Donna, great for you, I just read your story. But I have no pain (unless that pressure on my bladder is considered the pain keeps referring to) and all I can think about is how I never feel fully empty after I go/ the feeling of having to go is always there. Also, it seems as one glass of fluid requires 5 trips to the bathroom. About 2 years ago I remember driving for 5 hrs without stopping, now I barely keep it in for an hour. I still don't understand what happened to my bladder to cause this? My doctor said its a trauma to the bladder's wall- well, how the heck does that happned? It's not like I took a hammer and beat it up.

One question Donna, with your great success story of not having the pain anymore, do you still have the "rock sitting on your bladder" feeling and are there times when you don't feel anything down there? You know, the feeling of being normal?

[massagedoula]

Monika...It is like you are saying what is in my head. Same thing for me with college. I am lucky that my symptoms started at the end of this term. Now it is my spring break for a wonderful 10 days. I did not go to one of my final exams because I was in the ER all weekend before and on pain meds and did not study for it. So I dont know how I am going to get through spring term. I just have to hope that my symptoms (I am not diagnosed yet with anything except "urethral syndrome" but have appts with more uros coming up in the next few weeks/month) start turning around and getting better.. This is my last term in the college and I have to make it through. But I worry.

Also, my pain is a little like how you describe yours, maybe more of a pressure/feeling like I always have to urinate. The feeling like my bladder is full to its limit all the time is something that I do consider pain. it is not a stabbing sharp pain, more like a severe pressure and urgency.

I worry that I will get worse, too, especially because I dont have a diagnosis yet.

Also, I wonder so much about people that have a handle on their IC like Donna. I also want to know if she feels like a "normal" person most of the time.