How do you know you are in remission?

[DawnsRuby19]

I have been diagnosed with IC for close to two years now. I just simple don't understand this disease. I have my good days and I have my bad days. My good days I feel are really good. I will only go once every couple hours on days when I am just lounging around being relaxed. The second I have to get up and go somewhere I am going every 5 minutes. I can't stop the urge. NOTHING will take that feeling away from me. But If I am going somewhere I know, I am better at not being so anxious about being in a car. Like I know if I go to regular doctors office which is 6 miles from my house I am fine. I wont get the urge until I am up in the waiting room. But I can be told I am going to some other place that is closer and all of a sudden it's like I just drank an ocean. I am going every 3-5 minutes with a incredibly full bladder and the pain in unbarable.
So I was just wondering how do we know when we are in remission? Is remission on the good days where we still go a lot, but not as often?
My idea of being in remission is being able to be back at college and being able to sit through my lectures and my labs. Not worry about if the lab happens to be an out doors event for 5 hours. Or a car ride for atleast 3 hours without getting the urge to go. Or to be able to go shopping for a few hours and not have to go. I could deal with whatever pain my body can deal out, if those were to come true for me.

[Annie2]

Many people define remission differently. I go with the classic definition of remission---a total lack of symptoms with no medication or treatment needed (in other words, back to normal). Other people think they are in remission if medication and / or treatment gets them to the point of having no, or at least minimal, symptoms.

After much trial and error, I have found diet and meds that work pretty well for me and I feel pretty good most days. I do not consider myself in remission as I do still have some days that are not so good, must follow the diet carefully and take medications daily.

No matter how you define remission, continue to have hope. Keep trying to find the exact meds or treatments that will work for you. Though it may take some time, the vast majority of ICers eventually DO find what works for them and continue on to live fairly normal and happy lives. I know, being patient and going through the trial and error process is so frustrating! I hope you will quickly find what works for you, can then return to your active life and that you will come back to the ICN to tell your success story and give hope to others!

Annie

[Betsie]

Annie-Welcome back...will catch up with your adventures soon. :)!

You know that is such a simple and realistic answer, but truthfully I would not think that clearly if asked that question. It really never occurred to me that to be in remission one would be medication free. I am a pain patient, but with elmiron I feel about as close to remission as I will ever see/feel.

As always, you give the most reasonable of answers and point out very succinct reasons for them. I am not disappointed in my "non remission", instead I feel more aware of what my status is at this point...so easy to pass off when asked. Not that too many people I know are really curious about my bladder.

Mostly they ask with that almost crying tone...."are you finished with all that "stuff" by now"? It is almost amusing and the ones who really get on my eleventh nerve get a very ready and descriptive tale of IC...prettty much the last thing they ever wanted to know....it sort of balances it all out you know? ;)

[vm]

I feel good most of the time, but don't consider it remission b/c I still flare occasionally and I take meds. I don't picture myself ever going into complete remission, but this is good for me now! :)