I also just tested possitive

[TamHopes]

I am new to all of this, and very thankful to have found others who can relate to me! I also just found out that I am pregnant... haven't even told my hubby yet. It seems that w/ IC every day is a challenge; I am concerned about how much more difficult it could become now? My OB has prescribed Elmiron; she says it's safe. Does anyone have any feelings on that or any suggestions on how to handle flare ups when you can't take much?
Thank You all for being out there! :help:

[ICNDonna]

Congratulations!

Hopefully some of our new moms will respond to you.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[creatingkarma]

I just wanted to say congrats! I've heard that a lot of women go into remission while pregnant. Hopefully you'll be one of those lucky gals!

[BellaTutu]

:grouphug: congrats on the pregnancy!

[TamHopes]

Thank you for all the well wishes! I want to just be happy now, but there is so much stress about how this will go (and i bet you guys know how stress hits you!) Anyway, Thanks again for being out there.

[Danielle2392]

Congrats on your baby. I just had my baby almost 6 months ago. I am one of the unlucky ones that my IC did not go into remission. It was really bad in the first and third trimesters. In the second trimester my IC went back to normal before I was pregnant. If you have any other questions, I am here. Just e-mail me on here or at Romeofl@aol.com. Again congrats:)

[Cheries]

I went into remission with my pregnancy and during breast feeding. I kept breastfeeding a whole year!! It was awesome! You hopefully will be the same. Find a good high-risk pregnancy doc who can do the research for you. I was prescribed oral demoral if I needed it after the first trimester. I only had to take it twice.

[TamHopes]

Thanks for the insight ladies! Did either one of you take Elmiron? It has been prescribed to me. What are your thoughts?
I have found so many great sugestions on this site! Still trying to figure out what foods to avoid; more like, what foods I can eat. It's sooooo hard! I not only am trying to follow this IC diet, but I am also extremely Lactose intollerant. Any pointers from anyone are greatly appreciated! :hmm:

[dancemomof2]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was one of the unfortunate ones whose IC went out of control. I really thought it would be a piece of cake and it was not at all.

My URO contacted Cleveland clinic and UCLA and they were against me staying on Elmiron. Every Dr is different though. Good Luck

[rachelm]

I'm only 6 weeks preg. but so far during the months of trying and early weeks my bladder has been manageable. I have had severe symptoms in the past (even have an interstim) so we spent an extensive amount of time talking to my dr. about options before we started trying.
:welcome:
I decided to go off the Elmiron because I've been on it for over 3 years and my lining is definitely improved so we wanted to at least try going off. I've heard many people that stay on it so it's up to the dr. and you. My goal is to stay off of everything until the end of my first trimester.

I have however gone in for an occasional bladder instillation of heparine/marcaine that my dr. says is safe durring preg.

My bladder burn isn't too bad most of the time but I'm noticing the prenatal vitamins make it worse so I'm trying to experiment with different ones.

My other options if needed during the pregnancy are:
Physical therapy (I get a lot of hip, leg, back pain with my IC)
Lortab (doesn't cross the placenta) for pain
attarax (antihistamine safe, and helps burning )
And of course my stretching and relaxation.

For now my interstim is off too- while my frequency went up I've not had any retention so far which was a huge reason why I got the device.

Please keep in touch. We are about at the same point in our pregnancies and we can help support each other.

Try not to worry too much! It will all be worth it when you hold your new baby!

Rachel

[Cohen3]

I did not start my Elmiron until after the birth of my son, however my DR. did say that it should be ok to take during pregnancy. I think because I still was on a few meds I didn't want to add another one to the list. I was one of the lucky one's & went into remission.
Maybey you could try it after the first trimester, it would be a bit safer then & it will give you time to see how the IC is doing anyway.
Good Luck
Andrea :)

[Danielle2392]

My Ob doctor told me I could stay on all the meds I was on and my uro told me to stop taking them. I chose to come off all of them except my Pyrdium and pain meds. I know the OB knows more about what I could or could not take, but I did not want to risk anything. They really were not working for me anyways.

[TamHopes]

I don't seem to be one of the lucky ones that is going in to remission as a result of being pregnant. Most days I am having pain and within the last week I have had two days of complete hell. To have flare ups hit so hard and really have not much recourse other than baths, heating pads, ice packs and baking soda water. I think I start to panic and get emotional and that makes it worse! Also I am so sick of telling my children that I don't feel well or having to ask them to help me with things. I feel so week and helpless, and that has just never been me! I tried to take my son on a small hike and was almost crippled by the pain and ended up crying all the way home. This can't really be my life now.... Can it? Sorry to be rambling on; I guess I am just feeling sorry for myself.... And that's something I don't want others to do for me. Anyway, Thanks for listening.

[Danielle2392]

I am sorry your going through this. Hopefully in your second trimester you will get some relief. The Pyridum helped me out alot, maybe that could be an option for you to? I just wanted to let you, that I am always here to talk if you need it:) I hope you get some relief soon.

[curlycue]

Felicidades Amiga,
When I was pregnant I felt the best and I was so worried about how I would feel but it went great. Good Luck

[TamHopes]

Thanks guys, today was a little better. It's great to hear from you! I am going to just try to keep a positive attitude and have faith that things will get better.