It is official- I have an IC diagnosis

[armslee]

I almost feel liberated :woohoo:
Strange as that may be, to actually here the word and see it written in my file makes me no longer feel like a whacko, hypochondriac, which by the way is probably also in many of my medical folders of years past. :bonk:

I had a long heart to heart with my doc today. He is starting me on more meds and physical therapy. He answered lots of my questions and I walked away feeling as if I had conquered Mt. Everest.

So many years of having bladder and kidney problems. So many years of chronic abdominal pain. Now to finally know why. My doctor does belive that IC is a progressive disease. For me, that is why I am much worse off now than I have ever been, guess that is finally how they were able to diagnose me.

Still having the cysto done next month and he is going to biopsy my bladder as well. He can't rule out endo at this point either so he is going to scope my uterus to.

Well, thanks to all for letting me shine for a moment :smile tee There are so many times that IC feels very isolating but the support here is truly inspirational!

[ChrissySunshine]

I'm so happy for you!!! NOT...OF COURSE....about the diagnosis!!!! But the fact that hopefully you have found someone who will help you. I know the elation...I just met with a doc yesterday (a GYN).... someone I really, really think is gonna help me, too!! Here's to better days ahead!!!!! (That was a "cheers" with a water ;) !)

*I've been reading alot of the old posts on here.....there are soooo many, many people who have been right where we're at right now. And you know what??? The same people don't post much anymore...they post when they're feeling bad, then you can read how they are trying different treatments, then sometimes you read what helped, then they're pretty inactive on the boards.....VERY INSPIRATIONAL!!! It truly does give me just a glimmer of hope!!! To all those who post....THANK YOU...these boards have been a godsend for me (yep, saying it AGAIN!)!!

[emilyrose197377]

I am glad your dr. would help you.

[armslee]

Chrissy,
I remember posting to one of your threads yesterday and also congratulating you too!
THANKS!!!!! :)
Your right, it isn't so much being able to name the disease. Guess we really all have known all along that there was something wrong with us, but it is nice for us to be able to call it something and thus begin to treat it!
I called my husband today on my way back to work. I have talked to him about IC but I guess he never really paid much attention until today when I told him of the diagnosis. He said, "What is that?!?" Yeah, way to listen to me honey. Well I have some literature for him to read this weekend if he is really that interested. He was more interested in how to "fix" the problem. I told him you don't "fix" it, it is a disease, you treat the symptoms.
You know, at least I do feel more educated out of this whole experience! The last 4 months since I fell off the cliff into the cesspool of IC hell, I have learned about multiple sclerosis, Lupus and now IC.
Well, I also know that I have not lesions in my brain or spinal cord, I don't have Lupus or Rhuematoid Arthritis and other than the IC, I am in pretty good health for my mid thirties. Guess there are a few things to be thankful for!!!!