Three Year Procrastinator

[Jeremy]

Hello all,

I was diagnosed with IC almost 3 years ago. My doctor performed a cystoscopy on me and prescribed Elmiron :confused. I took it for about 6 months and ran out. I started a new job almost 2 hours away and just never returned for the follow-up after my cystoscopy. I guess I've never really taken good care of myself medical my entire life. It's something that I have been trying to work on over the last few months.

Anyway, over the last year or so, things have really gotten bad. I have multiple urine streams. I can't control the pressure. The frequency is about 15-20 times a day, but I never get up at night. I also can't shut it off...ever. I leak afterwords every time. I now have a difficult time getting an erection. It seems like it's almost impossible sometimes. I've been married for 10 years and my wife really isn't too happy about not being able to have intercourse. She understands it's not my fault, but blames me partially because I haven't done anything about it.

I recently went to a new doctor. He wants to run another cystoscopy on me and has told me to drink a lot of water and cut out the caffeine. He also told me that IC does not affect my erection; which is confusing because the last doctor didn't tell me that. What I am wondering is, what else can I do to my diet to help me?

[ICNDonna]

Am I understanding you correctly that when you urinate it is not just a single stream, but that there is something making more than one stream --- like when you put a finger under a faucet and it splits the water flow? If so, I suggest you go for the cysto --- it may be that you have something as simple as a polyp --- at any rate you need to find out what''s going on.

And please post when you find out. I'd really like to know how you are doing.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[Jeremy]

That's correct Donna. What is a popyl? confused.gif

Jeremy

[Jeremy]

Polyp? Sorry.

[ICNDonna]

I'm thniking someboyd moved the kyes on my keybroad.

<img src="graemlins/lmao.gif" border="0" alt="[lmao]" />
Donna

[Jeremy]

!sdrawkcab t'nera yeht tsael tA <img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" /> biggrin.gif

(Read back to front)

Jeremy

[Kara]

Jeremy,

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this with your self and your wife. It must be so hard to deal with this and a new job! The erection thing seems strange to me too....

For the ICN link to the diet you can find it here:

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

There's also a section just for men here:

http://www.ic-network.com/men/

(this place may discuss the erection deal)

Since, you haven't been to the doc in so long, the erection thing could be another problem.

I hope you find some relief and get back to your intimate relationship with your spouse.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and if you even have questions, we're all here for you!

If your wife would like to be included, there is a section here for your wife to come and talk about how she is feeling about your IC: It's called

Family Members Speak Out
http://www.ic-network.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=45

Best Wishes,

Kara

<img src="graemlins/hi.gif" border="0" alt="[hi]" />