newly diagnosed and highly overwhelmed!

[whittany]

hi everyone,

i'm whittany, and i was diagnosed after a routine pap test where my doctor asked me to fill out a "pee-questionnaire." i scored high on frequency, so he did the potassium test, and told me i have i.c. i *did not* have pelvic pain or burning prior to this diagnosis.

he put me on elmiron, amitrytylene (sp?), and ditropan. this worked GREAT for 3 months, until something triggered my first "flare-up." i suspect it was fluvoxamine, taken for depression.
my doctor stopped the fluvoxamine, but increased the dosage on the amityptilene.

why do i suddenly have a flare-up *after* diagnosis when i've only had ordinary bladder infections in the past?

how long does a flare-up last? i'm finishing my 3rd week, and i still have some pelvic pain.

nice to meet you all, hope someone can help!

[Tina Nacho]

Hi Whittany:
Sorry to hear about your flare. frown.gif You are definitely in the right place though. This site is awesome! Take your time to read the Handbook-It's very informative.

I have a few questions, were all of your previous "infections" actually confirmed by culture? Have you visited a uro to confirm your gyn's diagnosis? Have you confirmed your current "flare" isn't a UTI?

Your flare shortly after your diagnosis could be from something that you have eaten, drank, stress etc.. because this disease can go into remission and reappear when you least expect it. This disease is very individualistic and not everyone has the same exact symptoms and treatment regimens may vary. At different periods of time, your symptoms can be worse or better. I know, it's confusing! The "duration" of your flare can be difficult to measure until you are sure you do not have a UTI, your medications have been adjusted to your comfort level and you adhear to an IC friendly diet (tomatoes, apples, alcohol along with numerous other acidic items really set me off!)

Take your time since your diagnosis is so recent and you can quickly become overwhelmed by all the info. I have found everyone's perspective on this website to be invaluable and comforting.

Take care &gt;Tina <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" />

[whittany]

hi tina, thanks for the reassuring reply. after reading your message, i made an appointment with a urologist to confirm i.c., and perhaps a urologist can provide me with more information.

i also ordered the handbook per your recommendation.

i've felt great the last two days, maybe i'm coming out of it.

vinegar, some teas, and soy milk seem to be irritants. (bummer on the soy milk--i'm a vegetarian!!).

thanks again, tina!

[vm]

Welcome, Whittany! You will find such wonderful information and support here and kudos to your doctor for catching on to you having IC. Some people go to doctor after doctor describing obvious IC symptoms and aren't diagnosed!!!!

I read on another topic that you are a vegetarian - I feel for you. In the beginning I gave up almost every fruit and vegetable. It was very depressing - and I am not even a vegetarian. The good news is now that I have been on Elmiron for a year I can eat lots and lots of fruits and veggies. I usually eat bananas, strawberries, peaches, apples, blueberries and eat corn, carrots, spinach, green beans and even salad dressings. So, maybe one day you will be able to add those things back in too. There is hope smile.gif

[vm]

Oh, and some people use cottage cheese on their salads. Don't know if you are vegan or not...

[whittany]

thanks kim, for your hopeful words!

so far, prelief is helping with tomatoes (only my *favorite* food).

but cottage cheese on a salad??? ewwwwwwww!!!!

i've been using olive oil with some dried herbs for salad dressing.

(i'm not vegan by the way)

thanks again, you're great! biggrin.gif