New to site

[jkbentz]

Hi, I am brand new to this site, and trying to figure out how it all works. I was diagnosed with IC in Nov. 2005. So, I am brand new to the disease and treatment options. Some days are better then others. I have recently started DMSO treatments and have been on Elmiron since Nov. I have not seen any improvements with the Elmiron, however the instillations give me relief for about 2 days. I am looking forward to learning as much info as I can about this disease and treatment options. I am also eager to meet and talk to others who can understand the ups and downs of living with IC.

[patricia1]

Hi and :welcome: . Sorry that you were diagnosed with IC, but you have come to a great site. Have you looked at the patient handbook, if not it has a ton of great info. www.ic-network.com/handbook. Also have you started or tried the IC diet. That also helps out alot. With Elmiron it can take anywhere from 6 mths to up to a year for you to see any difference. And I agree living with IC does have its ups and downs.

[ICLori]

Welcome! I hope the Elmiron kicks in soon for you so that you will be comfortable all the time!

Blessings,
Lori

[emilyrose197377]

:welcome: to the Icn. You found a great place for info about ic and support from other members.

[soonerbabe]

:welcome: I'M ALSO FAIRLY NEW AND JUST NOW USING MESSAGE BOARDS. I HAVE LEARNED ALOT FROM WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID. IT HELPS ALOT SINCE NOONE I KNOWS UNDERSTANDS WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH. SO WELCOME :woohoo: GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE :woohoo:

[laura W]

I was also diagnosed at the end of Nov. 2005. I haven't been strict on the IC diet and that is probably why I still hurt. How many DMSO treatments have you had? I think I'm ready to try. I'm tired of not having any relief and depending on pain medication. I take alot of pain drugs. I also started Elmiron but have a long way to go before it works.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
Laura

[creatingkarma]

Hi & :welcome: ! We definitely understand the ups & downs of life with IC & are here for you. Wishing you the best of luck.

[Rosalie]

:welcome: to all the newbies here. You are at the right place for information and support. Check out some the other threads when you feel comfortable. There are place to rant and rave if you need to and threads to help take your mind off your troubles for a while as well.
Hope to see you around the boards.

[Dixiefireball]

:hi: and :welcome: to the ICN family. The handbook is always a great place to start it is so full of great information www.ic-network.com/handbook it has information on the diet, treatments, and much much more.
Elimron can take any where from six months to a year to see any improvements many dr. will do installments in hopes to help booast the elimron into our system quicker. I do the rescue installments at home of heparin and marcaine. they have been a life saver to me so many times.
if you need any info or just want to talk plz feel free to p.m me.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[jkbentz]

laura W-(and others!)
I have gotten 2 instills and 1 DMSO instill. I am going weekly now. Mon. will be my 4th. I as well haven't stayed strict on the IC diet. It is really hard for me to give up almost everything that I love to eat. It has been rough! I am getting flare-ups all the time!!! My docs haven't given me pain medication yet, even though I have asked twice! What are some pain medications that everyone takes? Thanks for everyone's support on this site! I can't wait to talk some more with everyone! :)

[TheMoonandBach]

I havent done instilling yet this year. I did it once in nov of 04, but my dr. was a quack, and didnt know what she was talking about. but I have a better dr now, who is trying me on meds first... but as to what pain reliever i am on, I take Flexiril 5mg in morn, 5mg afternoon, and 10 mg at night, and I am on 50mg Norpramine at night. I am also on Celexa 10mg a day as an anti-depressant.

[ihurttoo]

:welcome: We are glad you've joined us on the boards, but sorry you are joining us in IC. I have only been here a month, but I feel like I've known all of them forever, even the ones I havent talked to yet. Since I joined, I havent missed a day of coming here, and it's the least depressed I have been in 4 years. As strange as it sounds, it helps to know I'm not the only one out there who deals with this. My new friends have given me great tips on everthing from how to be more assertive with my drs to what to do in a flare and how to deal with sex. Theres nothing I couldnt ask them, and theres nothing they cant ask me. Now that's a relationship. I have been married to my husband for 7 years and there are still things we cant talk about, so it was such a relief to find my Cysters here. I am so glad you've found us. I look forward to reading your posts and finding out how we can help you and what you can teach us. Your new Cyster, AMY

[soonerbabe]

amen amy

[Katie14]

Hi. I started treatment the end of November. My doctor initially offerred just Elmiron and DMSO. I said I needed help with the frequency at night and hoped he'd offer Elavil which he did. I really think Elavil and following the diet have been what's helped me so far. I never did the DMSO. I think it's probably too soon to say the Elmiron has helped since I've only been on it a couple months. The Elavil is helping me sleep better, helps with my pelvic pressure, and I'm able to go longer between visits to the bathroom and I'm getting up less at night. Depending on how you're doing you may want to ask your doctor about whether it would be a good thing for you to try. Good luck and hope you get good relief from the DMSO.

[hoping4acure]

Just want to :welcome: you!

This is an incredible board and it is FULL of information. Hope to see you around the boards...don't by shy ;)