Md

[Kirstiexanne]

There are hardly any IC support groups in MD and the one that I found meets 4 times a year. So i was wondering if anyone was from MAryland around the Baltimore area. This way we could chat or start our own support group. Please is anyone is interested write back. Thanks

[snslife]

hi kirstie! My name is Shannon and I live in Baltimore. I am newly diagnosed with IC. I think its a great idea to a support group around here. Its so frustrating not having anyone to understand what we go through. It would be great to have someone close by that understands.

[Kirstiexanne]

Yes, i know! I just think it would be good to have someone to talk with or get together with that has the same problems. It is hard talking to family members because they really dont understand what we are going through. Where in baltimore do you live? You can send me a private message if you want to just email me at Kirstiexanne@yahoo.com Thanks!

[klaufert]

Hey guys, how's that support group going? I live in Bmore too, and I just signed up for this(although I have 5 years and counting of pain, oy). I have never met anyone with ic or and kind of serious pelvic pain problems. I'm 22, and my friends and husband are all young and healthy, and really have no idea what my life is like. It's really hard to be positive when you feel so isolated, you know? Or maybe its because I'm in a flare, once I'm out of it I tend to try to forget and I'm my happy self again, like it never happened.
Anyway, enough of that. Are you two finding good treatment? I'm having a hard time getting high quality care.

[BaltoDCIC]

Greetings to all of you from the Baltimore/Washington DC IC Support Group:

I wanted to let you know that although our meetings are held in Laurel, it is only about 20-25 minutes from Baltimore. The group was established over four years ago, with over 140 members. Although some members choose not to attend meetings, they maintain a connection through the network of people in the group and access to valuable information via email.

Over the years, we’ve hosted top IC researchers who’ve spoken to the group (Dr. Toby Chai, Dr. John Warren, Dr. Susan Keay and Dr. Ursula Wesselmann). We have also hosted top pelvic floor specialists and pain management physicians to assist in educating patients about additional treatment options.

I invite all of you to attend our next meeting on March 4, 2007. We offer an extensive library to peruse and many handouts to take with you. To find out more information about the group, please hop onto the group web site (www.BaltoDCicSupport.com) or contact me directly at www.Tina@BaltoDCicSupport.com

Take care.>

Tina Nachodsky ~ Group Leader
The Baltimore/Washington DC
IC Support Group
P.O. Box 285
Bel Air, MD 21014
Email: Tina@BaltoDCicSupport.com
Web site: www.BaltoDCicSupport.com

[klaufert]

That sounds awesome! I am going to see Toby Chai in March, I hope he's as good as his recommendation. I was curious about pelvic floor specialists as well. It would be a breath of fresh air to learn from proffessionals who care!

[BaltoDCIC]

Hi Kate:

Dr. Chai has been my Urologist for the past five years. I believe you'll be happy with him. He is extremely knowdgeable and kind.>Tina

[persefonexxi]

Dear MD support group members,

I believe I have IC. Last year (2006) I experienced 6-8 of what I believed were UTIs. However all the cultures done
were negative, no bacteria grew in my cultures. However. my syntoms disappeared with the antibiotics, usually macrobid and cipro.

On January of this year, it all changed....I have been having UTI (or IC) syntoms since then. I took 3 diffrent 10 day courses of antibiotics but nothing worked. I went to see a Urologist and he told me that it could be IC and that further testing was necessary. I can't complete the testing because I do not have health insurance at this time and I can't afford to pay the medical bills. In the Meanwhile I live in constant pain, I have urgency, frequency and burning with urination, also pains in my bladder an genital area that do not respond to OTC painkillers. The IC diet I found on the IC Network at least gives me a few "good days" but I am never normal anymore.

Does anyone know of a low cost center or urologist I can got to? Is there any program I can apply to get some finacial help with the bills? I live in Arlington VA ....I just want to get diagnosed so I can start treatment soon.

I appreciate any information or referrals that you can give me. I am a single 28 year old childless female so I don't qualify for any state or government health care assistace. I am just desperate and in pain.

Thanks for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you. Please respond to my posting if you can help me or PM (I'm not sure how to do this yet) for my contact info.

Persefone

[BaltoDCIC]

Persefone:

It would be advisable for you to contact your state (Virginia) medical assistance program to find out if you are eligible for medical assistance even though you do not have children. If you are, you will then be referred to a participating urologist who can treat you.

If you cannot find number in your phone book that specifically states "medical assistance program", I would contact the department of social services in your area. They should be able to direct you to someone who can help.

You are certainly welcome to contact me directly at Tina@BaltoDCicSupport.com if you have additional questions or need support. We are here for you!

Tina Nachodsky ~ Group Leader
The Baltimore/Washington DC
IC Support Group
P.O. Box 285
Bel Air, MD 21014
Email: Tina@BaltoDCicSupport.com
Web site: www.BaltoDCicSupport.com