From NZ.....a close cousin to OZ

[Nics]

Hi..Cant seem to find anywhere for us kiwis so I thought I would pop in and say hi to our close cousins. Any other NZr's out there. I know that there are quite a few in ChCh that suffer from IC. Anyhow Hi from downunder. :woohoo:

[andcohen]

HI :welcome:
Whilst there isn't a particular place on the boards for NZ'ers you are more than welcome to drop in on us Aussie's when you want. Unfortuantly we don't all get here as often as we like, most of the time one of us will drop in each week.
IT's a good idea to tell us abit about yourself , interests, hobbies whatever just so we can get a bit fimular with each other and you are more than welcome to share you IC story with us. You don't have to do any of this if you don't feel comfortable, it is usually just a good way to get to know others on these boards.
Whatever you decide this is a great place to come.
Good luck & hope to hear from you soon.
Andrea

[Nics]

OK Here is a little bit about myself. I am a 30 year old mother of a 2.5 year old girl and 10 month old boy. Was diagnosed when I was 25 but remember having minor symptoms as early as the age of 2. The last couple of years my condition has got so bad that I have been living on about 400 mg of morphine a day just to survive. Had botox 4 weeks ago and have not taken morphine now for a week. Thank god for small mercies.

Spent 6 months in hospital last year while I was pregnant as the baby was on my bladder from the minute it formed. I was on morphine from13 weeks gestation as the baby was causing bladder spasm, severe pain and contractions. My wee boy was born naturally after being induced and is a healthy wee man. No side effects what so ever. Have been told not to have any more.

I am permanently catherterised at the moment as I have retention. Not sure if this is from the botox as I had it before hand.

I have a wonderfully patient husband. We have been together for 15 years - married 8 years this November. He is wonderfully supportive because as you all know IC is incrediably dibilitating and also kills any sex life. At least mine does.

Thanks for the kind and warm welcome. Hope to be able to catch up with you all more often. I have been in and out of hospital so much that I rarely have time to get on the net.

[andcohen]

WOW Sounds like you have had a really tuff time of it with IC. I was lucky with my pregnany & went into remesion for about half of it. I have a son who is almost 3yrs & I will leave it at that thanks to IC, just don't think I could cope with any more.
Anyway a bit about me: I have just turned 34 last friday, married for 4yrs & of course our son Cohen. I first getting Ic symptoms at the age of 19 ( quiet mild) & went along to my DR. who had no idea, so sent me to a Uro, who had no idea, who sent me to another DR. & so on & so on. I went to different states in Australia & different Dr's for 7yrs before I finally got told what I had.
MY symptoms have gradually got worse & worse over the years, I hope it dosen't get any worse than this :bow: Any way I found these boards & they have been a life saver to me. There is always someone with some advice or a shoulder to lean on when needed, I don't get here as much as I use to but try & check in at least once a week.
Anyway it is nice to have met you & I'm sure some of the other
aussies will be popping in from time to time.
Take care & look foward to chatting with you again.
Andrea

[deviation72]

Hi Nics,

Welcome! I'm Kirsten, another Aussie on here with IC diagnosed in 2002.

We often see New Zealanders here... maybe we could ask the list admin to change the area to "Australia and NZ"? That way our Kiwi cousins would have a place they know they would be totaly welcome, and could also create some discussions of their own if they like.

I'm happy to email someone if this sounds like an OK suggestion....

Sorry to not write much tonite...a long day at work and need to go to bed soon!

[Rosalie]

Hi Nics
Just a quick :welcome: .
.It sounds like you are having a really rough time of it. Still you manage to sound very up beat.
Good for you! Things have been a little quiet here for a while. Hopefully we can get everyone on board for a good discussion soon.
Better go it's been a long day.

Rosalie

PS I think it's a great idea to include NZ's on this site

[Nics]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys......we kiwi's know that we can always count on our Ozzie neighbours (even if we give each other a hard time sometimes). Am having a bit of a flare up at the moment but still nothing like it was. I love the suggestion that we have a Australian and NZ thread. I would hope that more kiwis would be involved. I know that I get a lot from having the support of people who understand where I am coming from.

Anyhow better get the house warmed up .....its meant to be -3 tonight.

Catch you all later
Nic

[deviation72]

Hi Nics, hi everyone!

I have put a suggestion up on the Board Management forum for a possible change to the name of this forum to "Australia and New Zealand". After all, the more the merrier, and it's important that you guys from NZ have a welcoming space to come to. Let's see what happens - but in the meantime, feel free to encourage you other NZ IC mates to come along and meet us too! :)