Please talk to me

[JaniceGraham]

I am newly diagnosed with a mild case of IC and have been started on Elmiron 100mg 3x/day. I have also been given an antidepressant and antianxiety. I have been discovering which foods are user friendly to me. I have been having difficulty sleeping. Does anyone else have this problem? I am also having problems with constipation which I have been given metamucil and lactolose for. I am 49 years old, work in a high stress nursing field. I did go swimming today which is the first time since being diagnosed 1 month ago. It was a great strss reliever. I was afraid the chlorine might have a negative effect, but so far so good. I have been having a hard time in the mornings and am depressed about my diagnosis. I go back + forth sometimes thinking I can handle it, and other times convinced I can't handle it. I've been off work for a month now and am sitting home obsessing about this illness.

[Jen27]

First of all WELCOME!!!! You've come to the right place for support!

This disease can be one of two things:
It can own you OR
You can own it

Most of us choose to own it and it makes a difference. I also have meds for anxiety and whenever I feel anxious, my IC flares up. I've almost trained myself not to panic cuz of what it does to my bladder.

I haven't had one pain free day since the last week of August. i lost my job and had to drop out of school and consequently have lost my insurance b/c of IC. BUt I'm still smiling. And ya know why? BEcause This disease isn't deadly and flares pass!

We've all had these days, weeks, and months were we feel we can't cope.
But we all have!!! And you will be able to also. Just figure out what triggers a flare and meds/treatments you can take to handle them. I promise everything will be fine!! Here's to hoping you feel better!!!

We've all got eachother!!!

Jen

Feel free to msg me anytime; I know how you are feeling!!

[RAS6]

Hi and welcome! :welcome:
Let me start by saying that I am newly diagnosed as well and still new at all this, but this is such a great place for you to find anwers and support. There are so many wonderful people here who have dealt with various severities of this disease and are living happy lives again. I do understand how huge this diagnosis can feel. When I first was told that the Doctor suspected this and went home to do research, I was terrified and overwhelmed. I am 24 with a husband and 2 small kids and my symptoms peaked at a very busy time in my life.
I was very angry for a few days, and had days I just had to cry. But having a tangible diagnosis gave me relief and hope: now that I knew what was wrong with me, I could start getting better. I found the IC survival guide to be very helpful; it was more in depth than the pamphlets I was given at the Dotor's office, yet put in terms I could understand.
I have had alot of problems sleeping as well, mainly because I was getting up so many times that falling back asleep took awhile. I bought a new mattress pad, so I can get comfortable and always take my heating pad to bed with me as well. I take an antianxiety med to prevent panic attacks and that helps me get to sleep. I am not sure what is out there as far as sleeping aids that you could talk to your Doctor about, but I'm sure someone here would know. Actually, being a nurse I'm sure you know more than I do about this!

I am so glad you are able to enjoy swimming again. Most people here will tell you to keep exercising. I can't wait untill I feel well enough to hit the pilates mat again!

Please know you are not alone! :)

-Rachel

[dg2901]

Hi JG..:hi:

Know that youre not alone in your feelings...we all waiver back and forth while dealing with this mess.
The good news is that the majority of people dealing with IC eventually get to a point where the symptoms are managed quite well allowing for the normalcy to come back into our lives.
You've gotten over the hard part, getting a diagnosis. Now that you've got that under your belt, youre in control.
You WILL start feeling better!

take care, dear
diana

[jlp]

:welcome: I am 46 and was just disgnosed in june. This site is a wonderful place for support. I also was started on Elmiron and Enablex.
I know that i struggle with the same feelings of trying to cope with a(another) illness. I also have a hard time sleeping which is another reason this site is sooo great...someone is always on here ..all hours of the day or night !!!:woohoo:

[curlycue]

You have come to the right place. There are women here that are experts in this illness.

I went through a bad spell in 2003 and it took about 8 months for me to get my health in order but I did with the help of all these wonderfull women, and my doctors.

One thing I would have to say if you dont feel like the doctors you are seeing are helping you ? move on to someone else, cuz I wasted alot of time in waiting rooms and the Uro that I was seeing did not seem to have any kind words or that he was willing to help me with my IC , so I finally moved on and that was the best thing I ever did. Good Luck :pray:

[traceann]

I just wanted to add my welcome! All the ladies are right - we have all felt that way, the flip-flopping of "ok I can do this" to "oh no, I can't do this!" sometimes for me, all in one day, lol. It will get better - your brain will level out and you will reach some kind of truce with it! :)

And like Diana said, the time around diagnosis is the WORST as you are either just getting diagnosed or are still searching for one, so things are going untreated. But you have gotten over that hurdle and are on the road to feeling better!!!

Elmiron is not a quick fix - it can take up to 3 months to feel some benefit and 6-12 to feel full benefit, but it's worth it. It really did wonders for me, I am so glad I had taken it. And in the mean time, you can help yourself by following the IC Diet and practicing some home rememdies: heating pad, a tsp of baking soda in big glass of water can help when the bladder is acting up due to food or whatever (just be careful if you have salt-sensitive health issues), AZO Standard/Uristat (OTC Pyridium) the bladder analgesic that turns your urine orange but numbs things up nicely etc. Putting your feet up and relaxing when you need to - pushing yourself and stressing yourself are killers on the bladder!! So, if you need to just say "no" and prop those tootsies up and chill!!! ;) Give yourself permission to rest the body - your bladder will thank you for it! As it's been said, you wouldn't go running around on a broken leg - so why would you on a broken bladder? LOL ;)

Hope you are feeling better soon, and once again nice to meet you and glad you found us!!!!!

Hugs!

[Sarojini]

:welcome: to the site! You've found a whole new community of friends here... ones who know what it's like to have IC. :)

[SharonA]

:welcome: I am so glad you found us. :) :) :)

[JaniceGraham]

thank you fro the support. I really appreciate all your coments. Its good to know the elmiron helps that much. I'm finding my diet helps alot too. Fish, chicken, rice, lettuce, carrots, rice cereal, brown rice milk, skim milk lacteez free agree with me. My psychiatrist just doubled my antianxiety med in hopes that I will get some sleep. A few hours is all I can get. I am concerned about where to get my vitamin c. Any suggestions?

[L. Thomas]

Have you asked your MD about self cath for urine retension?
Pm me and I will share my info with you.
________
YuliaNa69 live (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/YuliaNa69)

[jah]

I think the most important thing for me to hang on to and remember is that everyday will be different. Sometimes it feels like you are out there on a lonely ship, but you should understand you are not. There are caring doctors and friends who will help you out...and of course this site which is perfect...thank god for computers. You will be ok...just keep yourself open to the fact that the way you feel today..will not be forever..you will get over this...you will.

I am newly diagnosed with a mild case of IC and have been started on Elmiron 100mg 3x/day. I have also been given an antidepressant and antianxiety. I have been discovering which foods are user friendly to me. I have been having difficulty sleeping. Does anyone else have this problem? I am also having problems with constipation which I have been given metamucil and lactolose for. I am 49 years old, work in a high stress nursing field. I did go swimming today which is the first time since being diagnosed 1 month ago. It was a great strss reliever. I was afraid the chlorine might have a negative effect, but so far so good. I have been having a hard time in the mornings and am depressed about my diagnosis. I go back + forth sometimes thinking I can handle it, and other times convinced I can't handle it. I've been off work for a month now and am sitting home obsessing about this illness.