A diagnosis (sort of)

[Lisa_S]

I finally got in to see a new urologist after waiting two months for the appointment. After talking to me about my symptoms and doing a pelvic exam (I've already had in in office cystoscopy), he is now treating me for IC. He had me raise my Elavil dosage from 25mg to 50mg and started me on Elmiron.

I haven't had either the PST or the cystoscopy with hydrodistension yet, so I'm not sure if this is a definite diagnosis. My urologist is having me do a three day bladder diary and will do a uroflow test when I get back in the office. He did mention things like overactive bladder and pelvic muscle issues, so I don't think those are completely ruled out yet. He may have me do physical therapy.

I'm not upset at the possible diagnosis of IC. I've been feeling like that's what it is for a while now, and I feel like now I am finally on the right track for treatment. My pain is somewhat mild now, but still bothersome... and it is hurting my marriage because of sex problems and the lifestyle changes I have to make (diet, etc). I try to tell my husband that IC is treatable and that things will get better, but I'm not sure he believes me. I suggested he should read more about IC (he hasn't read anything yet), but he says all that matters is results, whether or not I will get better. He is kind of depressed and it makes it hard for me to focus on getting better. I feel like I have to stay strong and pull him up too, which is difficult. What I need now is sympathy and support from him. This has been hard on our marriage... we have only been married one year, and much of that time has been spent with urinary problems.

I have been on the diet for about two months now (though I'm not as strict as I should be), and that's helping. I also ordered two IC books (The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide and A Taste of the Good Life), though I have been reading about IC for months now. Maybe I will get some good information to share with my husband to make him understand things better.

The ICN has been incredibly helpful through all of this. Not only is there lots of great information about IC, but the boards are a very encouraging place to talk. Thank you all for making it a welcome place for support. :grouphug:

[cgd]

Welcome! You will definitely find much support here as we can relate to what you're going through. Hopefully your DH will come around and in time want to learn more about IC. Men sometimes get frustrated when they can't just fix something quickly. Sounds like your uro is on the right track in figuring out what's going on with you. Vent anytime here.

[ICNDonna]

It sounds like you have made some good choices of material to study and share with your husband. And it's good to hear that you are being helped by the diet.

Warm welcoming hugs,
Donna

[VickiB]

Hi Lisa,

Yes, it does sound like you're making good choices in dealing with your baldder problems. It can take time, and that waiting can be so hard! -Especially for our hubbys! I agree with cgd,..guys tend to want to fix things, and resolve problems quickly. I know mine doesn't deal well with wait & see type situations!

I just want to add that between the diet and meds (Elmiron, Amitriptylene, & hydroxyzine) my IC is pretty much under control now. It took a while, but most of us do get better!

Vicki

[graceimnot2096]

It sounds to me like you have a great uro and that he is on the right track. Men just don't know how to deal with stuff they can't fix. They generally get mad at the first person they see, which in my case ends up being me. I have to keep in mind that he is angry at the disease not me. Then it is easier to take it for what it is worth. When mine says stupid stuff like controling the pain is a mind over matter thing, I just tell myself that he just doesn't know any better. He is lucky, the worst pain he has ever had was hemeroid surgery, I've had that done, if that is all of the pain I had, I would call that a good day!!!!!!!:grouphug:

[vm]

You're definitely on the road to healing now that you have a diagnosis. I was a little relieved (but still sad) when I got the diagnosis b/c it was so frustrating not knowing what was going on with my bladder! :dizzy: I felt like I at least had a direction to move in once my uro made a diagnosis.

Good luck - I hope that days f relief are not far off for you. :kissing:

[Lisa_S]

Thank you all for the encouragement! :grouphug:

The books came yesterday, so I think I will do a lot of reading this weekend and maybe try to find a few sections that my husband can read without getting too in depth. Right away he was surprised at how big the cookbook was, lol. He seems to think I can't eat anything since I don't always want to go out to our favorite restaurants any more (italian, for example).