Newly diagnosed?

[Cahyah]

Hello everyone, i found your website on a whim. a week ago I was given a cytoscopy and put on meds (elmiron, pyridium for ten days, and am currently on cipro as well). My uro told my boyfriend who was there that my bladder lining was unhealthy and inflammed and that i would be on elmiron for six months. i ahve a follow up with him on november 1, and intend on talkign to him about exactly what is goign on, if I do have IC and what i can do about it. My boyfriend and i plan on getting married in the next year or less, and i am so scared about sex. we have fooled around and it is already uncomfortable. I began having symptoms of urgency and frequency in July and it just kept getting worse. I am scared, I am discouraged, I am praying to the Lord above for a recovery and a way to manage life. I am tired of having to be afraid to go places for fear there wont be a bathroom. I am tired of feeling depressed because I feel useless and like I am going to disappoint myboyfriend physically after were married. He is very understanding but this is just such a shock for me, and I am scared. I am very spiritual, and knowt he Lord Jesus as my SAvior, and have been praying for His strength and knowledge and wisdom for what is happening but each day is its own. Even just sitting here I have burning and an urge to go to the bathroom. I have already cut out a lot from my diet, and I am going to ask the uro on nov 1 if we can put me on an overactive bladder med as well to reduce the frequency so that I can LIVE LIFE again. Glad to know im not alone...

[RobinL21]

hey girl, im kinda going through the same thing. I had the same procedure done, and my doc gave me no answers and put me on a med ( bactrium) that i had an allergic reaction to. I went to another doc, and she said have I.C., and im suppose to start taking elmiron tonight, i also was on pyridum ( made me urine orange) but, i just wanna know how she knows you know? And the thing with your b/f, im right there with u, me and my b/f havent had sex in a LONG time becuase it either is uncomfortable or i almost ALWAYS get a Uti ( or so thats what i thought and still really dont know if they really where uti's or not) He is sooo supportive thought. Im scared to do anything becuase i dont know what will make me sick, im even scared to wear tampons. Just stay strong and you'll find answers, hopefully i will to! O yea the thing about the frequency, if im not mistake, a symptom of IC is frequency, cause whoa, when i drink liquids i have to pee about every 15 minutes, so maybe the elmiron will help us both!! The pyridum didnt help much with the frequency. was put on a OAB med but i saw no diff, so that is why im thinking I ( as well as you) have frequency becuase of ic, but well see! goodluck!

[L. Thomas]

:hi: :elvis: :hi:
:welcome:

Just keep up your faith..there is only one prayer that is never answered..the one you don't pray.

I firmly believe that HE answers all prayer, just in his time not mine.

Frequency? oh boy!! There was a time when I basically wondered how in the world could the output be greater than the input...

Keep reading and you will find a lot of people have had the same experiences that you have had and ways they have dealt with the challenges.
________
Roll blunts (http://howtorollablunt.net/)

[RAS6]

Hi and welcome! I am newly diagnosed as well (finally got a diagnosis last month) and my treatments have been an intense trip. I understand some of your fears of disapointing your boyfriend once you get married. Intercourse has been very painful for me. The most important things that has helped my marriage was to have my husband read the information I have and to TALK TALK TALK! Anytime I am worried about how he feels, I ask him. My illness has caused alot of stress in our relationship, but being honest and educating both of us has been vital. And in a strange way it is bringing us closer together! He is taking the "in sickness and health" vows VERY seriously.

As far as overactive bladder meds, there are some that are very easy to use. One in particular is a patch you change 2 x's a week. It didn't work for me, but may for you. I can't remember the name, but they probably know what it is at the Doctor's. I hope you keep posting here. There are so many experienced and amazing people here who have already gotten me through some tough and confusing stuff.
Oh, has anyone mentioned pelvic floor therepy to you? I will be starting this soon and was told I needed it because of all the vulvar pain I am having.
Lots of prayers for you and keep us updated!
-Rachel

[ICNDonna]

One thing I suggest is reading the information in the Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook --- you'll find the IC diet there, which is a good starting point for helping ease your symptoms.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[Cahyah]

thanks for the support everyone; I am confident that I am going to be OKAY! any tips are always welcome!

[Kimchi]

Welcome ladies. You found a great place for information and support and please have faith that you will get better. :grouphug:

[Cahyah]

what is sodium bicarbonate and why does it help IC? any info for this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :) :smile tee