Hi everyone!

[tifa]

I'm new to the boards so I just thought i'd say a quick hello!

Just discovered (after almost 2 years of tests etc) i have IC. Now trying to find out as much as i can especially about coping techniques, diet etc.

Its a little depressing to think this will pretty much always be with me! Its also frustrating as it seems poorly understood.

Anyway see you all around, hopefully I can get some good advice! :)

tifa

[Sarojini]

Hi and :welcome: to the ICN! :)

Have you checked out our Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook yet? This online handbook is filled with wonderful info about treatments for IC and self-help strategies that can really make a difference, including the IC diet. In a nutshell, this diet focuses on eliminating irritating foods from your diet -- acidic things like citrus, tomato, and other things like artificial sweeteners and certain spices. Take a look. Many patients find that these diet changes can make a big difference in their symptoms. :)

It is depressing at first to hear you have this disease, but it can also be a relief to finally know there is something "real" wrong. Now you can begin to work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you. Keep in mind that most IC patients find a treatment (or a combination of them) that help them immensely -- and that many of us are able to live a pretty normal life again!

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask here. While we can't give medical advice, we can share our experiences with IC and that can be comforting. This place is full of wonderful, supportive people and it can really be a lifesaver during the first few months after diagnosis :)

again, welcome!

[dyno]

Hi, I wanted to add my welcome. Jen gave you good advise and I wanted to add that I have had IC for 30 years. You can have a good life with this disease you just learn to modify what you have to.

You will find a lot of support here, just ask any questions you need to and we will do our best to answer what we can.

[tifa]

thanks for the advice! Its nice to know I'm not alone, and not crazy! For a while I was actually worried it was all in my head, like a psychological disorder. So frustrating to keep going back to doctors and consultants for different tests that inevitably show up with nothing.

so yes its a relief to know there is actually something wrong!

now I need to start thinking about managing it. Number one - STOP SMOKING!

:)

[traceann]

Hi Tifa! I agree, the handbook -- great source of info as are the boards here!!! Here's a link right directly to the IC Diet food list, great beginning-the-diet tool!!! I copied the link for myself, because I kept "losing" it in the handbook, never seemed like I could find it twice! LOL

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/diet.html#list

It was a huge help to me, I printed it out and took it with me everywhere in the beginning, now I swear in burned into my brain, lol. Although, I still pull it out to take a peek every now and then, and find something I missed before -- only now it's stuff I missed that I CAN eat, vs one I shouldn't have! LMAO!

Yeah, I know I need to quit smoking too, I just knew myself, and in the beginning, I couldn't cut everything out at once, my fave foods, beverages, sex for awhile, and cigarettes! It's been baby steps for me, now that I am finally in better control of it all, and more comfortable with my diet now, I finally start to entertain that idea! LOL

Hope to see you around!
Hugs,
Tracey :)

[ti_fanny]

Welcome to the board tifa :welcome: This is a great place for you and you will learn alot of different stuff. The people on this site are :angel: very wonderfull, kind and willing to help in any way they can. Sorry to hear that you to have to suffer with this. I hope all goes well and any time you need to talk you can PM me.
Tanya :grouphug:

[Babs RN]

Tifa,
You've already got a ton of good advice just wanted to welcome you as well.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Annie2]

Hi, Tifa! :hi: I, too, would like to extend another welcome to the ICN family! In addition to the online patient handbook, there is another book I would highly recommend to you. It is The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Robert Moldwin, M.D. Many of us keep this with us at all times. It is full of extremely valuable information. This book is available here in the ICN Shop and also at Amazon, other websites and in some bookstores.

We are all here to help one another and will do all we can to answer questions you may have. As you have experienced, getting diagnosed can sometimes take awhile but now you can begin trying treatments and start the healing process. While there is no cure, the vast majority of ICers do find meds or treatments that work for them and can go on to live fairly normal and happy lives.

Annie

[Amyinagony]

Another :welcome: Tifa,
So glad you found this support group. There are so many wonderful people on here with so much information and support.
Wish you the very best and know that we are all here for you. :grouphug:

[theoutlaw77]

This board has been the best for me, and I think you will agree! Welcome, and good luck on your road to successful treatment!

[melanie626]

Tifa-
Welcome...you will find a ton of help here and the handbook is so helpful. I recommend giving it some time and then trying to quit smoking (one issue at a time is my motto)- I quit a while back, then smoked during my recent flare which just made it all the worse...for me the kick in the pants I needed not to smoke again....

Good luck and welcome...
Melanie

[hisjenn]

welcome tifa!

[Rosalie]

:welcome:
Hello Tifa, I'll bet that you have gained so much helpful information from this site already.The tips and coping ideas are wonderful.
I also love the "off the IC topic" discussions. They can give you a laugh and a lift when you need it most.
Rosalie

[tifa]

Hi everyone, sorry have been offline for a couple of days!

Thanks for all your support - I have looked at the handbook and also ordered a couple of books from amazon so I can start reading up on it.

No doubt I will be asking for your help a lot too!

Thanks again eveyone see you around :)

[Debgail]

:hi:tIFI, I am so glad you came to the icn. This is the place to find anything and everything you need to know about ic.
The best part of the site is.. all of the wonderful ,warm caring people here who are always willing to lend and ear offer support, or just let you cry and they give you cyber hugs and kisses. With this disease it is such an invaluable site for us icers...to have others that truly know what you a re going through.

Please keep us posted on your progress and come here often! We all genuinely care for another.
:bunny: Love. Debbie