new here...

[BlueNicole]

Hello... My name is Nicole i'm 24 and after many years of on and off bladder infections my doctor thinks i may have IC. I've done lots of reserch on it and I'm pretty convinced that the diagnosis may be correct. I am going to see a urologist for the first time in a couple of weeks. Right now my docotor has me on some kind of medication to help with the symptoms and pain. It's called PHENAZOPYRIDINE. I find it helpful but I need to take it for a few days before it helps.

I'm so relieved to find out that there is a forum like this. I feel very much alone and sometimes afraid when i get a flare up. I never quite know what to do other then eat simple foods and drink lots of water. Plus, my heating pad is my saviour.

Does anyone have any advice for someone like me? I guess I'm a beginner although I think I've had it for a long time.

I'd appresiate any comments or advice.

Thank you for your time everyone.

[Sarojini]

:welcome:

Yeah, many of us have been on or are on Pyridium (phenazopyridine) -- it helps some very much and for others it doesn't do anything. You'll find that answer a lot here, because everyone's IC is so different.

You may want to start by reading the Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook ... it's great and filled with all sorts of helpful information about IC.

Good luck at your urologist appointment and feel free to come here with any questions you have!

[Dixiefireball]

:welcome: to the ICN family i;m sorry you may have IC but you came to the right place for support and understanding.
Jen gave you a great place to start and that is the pat. handbook also the IC diet is a must to try.
Please keep us updated how you are. we are here for you
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[VickiB]

Hi Nicole,

I know what you mean about being relieved to find this site! I'd never been able to talk to anyone before who shared in this insanity of a bladder gone haywire. I've learned a lot here, and think you will too!

The IC diet is in the handbook, and it did wonders for me. If it is IC you're dealing with, there's a list of food & drink (The good, the bad and the ugly!) at: http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/diet.html
I printed it out and carried it with me for months.

Good luck at you Urology appointment. I hope it brings you some answers!

Vicki

[Katrina]

:welcome: to the ICN!
My newbie kit is my best advise. Try the diet, calcium, and look at the handbook...along with the other links. I hope you find a lot of relief...Good luck with your urologist. :grouphug:
http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/ this is an essential link for everyone with IC. It is very informative on meds, living with IC, and self help....take a look!!!

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7562 this is thread of pain relief the second page has attachments I believe the last one is the list of pain relief ideas.

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11535 This is nexbie kit from the oldies to the newbies

[BlueNicole]

:)

thank you everyone for your responses. i've been reading everything on this site all day. i'm pretty good with the dietary stuff it turns out after having read the list.

i have a question.. has anyone tried preleif? i've just ordered some.

also... what can one expect at a urologest appoitment?

thanks again everyone.

[VickiB]

I love my Prelief! It really helps with acid type foods, but I found out the hard way it doesn't do much for me when it comes to additives! Still, if I can have a bit of lasagna now & then, I'm a happy camper.

It's hard to say with any certainty what you'll experience at your urologist appointment. Seems like most just want you to pee in the cup and talk,..take a history, and let you know where they'll go from there at your next visit. Mine jumped in and went the whole nine yards on the first visit (cup, history, cystoscopy, PST), but I believe that's very unusual.

Let us know how it turns out for you!

Vicki

[traceann]

Let me start by saying Hi! and Welcome! You have come to the right place, that's for sure! There's tons of info and tons of support, every one is great!

I too love Prelief, it's allowed me a lot of dietary freedom that's for sure, I am never without it!!!

Good luck at the uro's as Vicki said, it's a tough call, I guess every doc is different in their "meet and greet" appts!!!

[stacey79]

Hello and :welcome: Glad you found us. These boards have been so very helpful to many of us.

You've gotten really good input from everyone else. The only other thing I encourage you to do is talk with your uro. DOn't be afraid to ask him questions about what you've read or about symptoms you're having. The more he knows, the more he can help you. And if you need to ask him for more time, go ahead.

Most of all - hang in there! Our circumstances are similar. I've had problems since I was three and they were sort of on again, off again until three years ago when I was 23 and in the end of grad school. You aren't alone and it will get better. Now I've found what works for me with meds and diet and my IC is no longer such a big interference in my daily life. But, it does take time. Just be patient and hang in there! :grouphug:

[SandyRN]

You've gotten wonderful advice from these ladies. I just wanted to welcome you to the ICN!!!

Take care, Sandy

[Sarojini]

Hey there... yes, I use Prelief and like it a lot. It enables me to eat some things that probably would bother me otherwise. Now, with Prelief, I can eat small amounts of tomato and strawberry!! :)

As for your uro appointment, it's hard to say as they are all different. Usually they will ask you to bring your medical records with you (or have them sent) for one thing. You will most definitely have to urinate in a cup for a urinalysis, but that's standard for anyone complaining of urinary symptoms. After that, some doctors will just sit down and talk with you at the first appointment, and others will do a pelvic exam -- but that is about as invasive as the first appointment gets (VickiB -- sounds like you had the whole 9 yards at first and that is pretty unusual!!). If the uro wants to do other testing, it will almost always be scheduled for another day. He/she may also give you some sample meds (often Ditropan, Detrol, or a similar med) to try until you see him/her again to see if it helps and to partially rule out overactive bladder.

My advice is to keep track of your pain and your visits to the bathroom. Keep a voiding diary indicating how many times you go in a day and whether or not the amount you peed out was small, medium or large. Also note any pain you have during this time. Your doctor will be appreciative and this will open up a good discussion about your symptoms. If there's one thing I can't stress enough, it's don't be afraid of the letters M.D. after the name -- please share what's on your mind when you're there!!!

[emilyrose197377]

:welcome: to the Icn sorry I haven't gretted you sooner but I have been sick with a uti and a kidney infection.

[hopeful]

Welcome......and good luck to you in your up coming appt with the uro. i went through a couple before i found a good one and ive now gone outside my health ins and paying for it myself and well all the worth it because this one is great the whole staff is great and they have already done a potassium test heprin install put me on elmiron and atarax all in two visits and spent an hr each time talking to me. very nice so keep your hopes up there are good uro's out there. take care hopeful