Newly diagnosed this summer

[tracylyn]

I was finally daignosed this summer after years of horrible test for my stomach and pain. I start taking Elmiron a month ago and have been taking Elivil for about 6 months now. Very rarely do I have any relief. I always have pressure and pain. I am so hopeful the Elmiron will be my save all but I have my doubts. :(

[Katrina]

:welcome: to the ICN! I am glad you found us. Have you tried the diet or calcium suppliments yet? I know waiting to find out if Elmiron will help is a horrible wait. There is a lot you can do to help yourself with some relief in the mean time. The newbie kit and the pain site have a lot of ideas. I also included a link to the handbook. Please feel free to bring questions to me or to us all. http://www.remedyfind.com/hc-Interstitial-Cystitis.asp This link is to a treatment list with treatments rated by patients. I hope you get the relief you are searching for!
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 attachment is the list of pain relief ideas.

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

[tracylyn]

Yes I have been trying very hard to be very careful with my diet. My dr gave my a some ideas and I purchased a book off this website and at the bookstore all about IC. I have stopped eating tomatoes and almost totally stopped eating chocolate - I eat a few M & M's a day but that's it. I never really felt anything else bother me - I can't eat meat that falres up my IBS. But I will look into those websites. I just hate the pain and not being fun for my 2 year daughter.

[hoping4acure]

:welcome:

You have found a wonderful group of people. Katrina has already given you some great advise (she is great ;) )

Remember, we have all been where you are and we will be here when you need us.

Stay strong & keep the faith, and try to stick to that IC diet.


:grouphug:

Louann

[~*~Christine~*~]

:welcome:

[traceann]

Hey there and welcome tracylyn!! You definitely have come to the right place for support and information, that's for sure!

Sounds like you already have a handle on the diet, but have you tried being totally strict for awhile? Like, and I know this is hard - being that I am totally addicted to peanut M&M's - giving them up completely for a few weeks?? In the beginning months for me it didn't take a whole lot of anything to aggrivate my bladder, a tbsp of tomato sauce on my pasta taken with Prelief even (have you tried that stuff at all? It's great, I love it), could send me to the bathroom every 10 minutes... The longer I have been on my meds (I take Elmiron 100mg 3x's a day, Hydroxyzine 25 mg at bedtime and Ditropan for spasms, 5mg at bedtime as well.) I have become much more diet tolerant and the Prelief helps me even more with being able to eat more acidic foods.

And don't forget the Elmiron can take up to 6 months to feel some difference and 6-12 to feel the full benefits of it, so don't give up on it yet!

Very nice to meet you, and hope to see you around the boards!!!

Hugs!