diagnosed...eek!

[magnolia86]

Hey everyone. I was just recently diagnosed with IC. I am 19 years old. I just finished my first year in college, and am scared of how hard IC will make my sophmore year. I am remaining optomistic, but I realize that I am going to have to start to change my entire lifestyle. It has also been hard for me to grasp the concept of having this disease 'forever.' I guess because of my age, it does freak me out a bit to know that. I had a really painful day today, and decided it was the right time to join the community for some extra support. I hope it helps, I'm sure it will.

[kuntrygurl78]

Welcome to the IC family!

I noticed you live in NYC..Im kinda jealous. Im a smalltown girl in the boondocks of IL. Must be fabulous to live in a big city where there is always something to do!

If you are looking for a place that offers support for the bad days and smiles for the good days...you have found the best place in the world. Ive only been a part of this family for about a month and a half, but I feel like Ive always been here.

Being young, and diagnosed with something cronic is scary. You said you were going to stay optimistic. You are on the right track. You will get to the point where IC will just be a minor annoyance in your life. Gather your friends around. Educate them. Ive already found that my friends are so understanding about things like where we can go out to eat. They usually let me choose, because they know I can only eat a certain places. I have found that a lot of the chain restaurants have their menus on line, and that is so helpful.

Check out the IC handbook. Also, I can suggest the IC cookbook from the store. It not only has recipies, but gives advice on a lot of other food and IC relatated questions. And if in doubt, feel free to ask us or your doctor!

Good luck in school!

[ICNDonna]

:welcome: to the IC Network. The Patient Handbook (link at the top of this page) will be of tremendous help to you in learning about IC.
Warm hugs,
Donna

[ChrissySunshine]

Hi there Magnolia and Welcome :welcome: ! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but please know that you've found a wonderful group of people here! This website has truly saved my sanity! It has a wealth of info, and I really like the message boards. I have learned a TREMENDOUS amount of stuff on IC, and it really, really helps to be informed about this. Knowledge really IS power!! (I think the website now says that somewhere!)

Congrat's on completing your first year of college!! What an accomplishment! Will you be taking summer courses? I ask cause I think that maybe, if you can keep your work/study load as light as possible, and follow your treatment protocol, hopefully you will be fine for your sophmore year!!

The diet is usually the best place to start, it really helps alot of people. I know changing your lifestyle must be hard, but it will be worth it!! There are people of all ages here, to include college age people. Connecting with them will offer you some support as well. NOT to say that is OLDER folks ( ;) )don't or won't offer support, cause we WILL, but just that you might be able to relate to some of the different aspects of IC through a younger person's perspective.

Again Welcome, I look forward to seeing you 'round! :grouphug:

[magnolia86]

thanks so much for the support. I can already tell this is going to be such a help!

[lisacar]

Hi Magnolia,
Welcome, and sorry you have to be here. I was about your age when my symptoms first started, but it took 25 years for me to be diagnosed! Amazing, but true. You have a great attitude and an advantage of having a great site like this to come and visit. You didn't say what you are studying to be...???

Take care,
Lisa...just a nosey mom ;o)

[magnolia86]

hey lisa... i'm studying to be a textile designer!