Newly diagnosed with IC

[kspeer]

Hello everyone. I have already found this website to be very useful. I was just diagnosed officially with IC this past Monday, but have been dealing with IC symptoms off and on for the last 3 years. I have IBS with constipation and was diagnosed with "irritable uterus" when I was pregnant with my second child. It just seems as though my entire abdomen is irritated and not happy being in my body. It seems that I deal with some sort of abdominal pain almost every day. I rely strongly on my faith to get me through. Bladder pain/pressure is a mind-consuming discomfort and not easy to forget or be distracted from. I did have my first bladder DSMO instillation last Monday. I feel that it helped the first couple of days, but now that it is Sunday I am feeling a lot of discomfort. I go back in tomorrow for another instillation and then again the next two Mondays. I am also taking UTA 3-4 times a day. I guess it helps alittle. My urologist also gave me some Amitryptyline to take at night to help me sleep (I have a lot of discomfort when I lay down). The Amitryptyline makes me soooo sleepy the whole rest of the day, so it is not practical because I have two small children and work as a nurse full-time.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. It feels nice to know that there are others that can empathize with my situation. It helps to know that I am not alone. God bless you!

Kim

[Babs RN]

Kim,
I am a nurse too who works full time and I have a 6 year old with autism. I have been diagnosed for about 4 1/2 years now but had symptoms well before that. I know that some of my nursing habits made me worse like holding my urine too long(although now my body doesn't give me the choice anyway)and Coke which I drank like gang busters at work. Changing my diet has helped quite a bit, and I wound up going to pain management to hit that combo between taking surviving the pain and being able to safely care for my child. The IC handbook here is awesome, as are many of the books in the store. I also gave up hospital nursing as well--giving up 12 hour shifts has been a blessing. There are a quite a few of us crazy nurses here on the boards whom I'm sure will pop up. Just wanted to say hi and welcome you!

Hugs and :welcome: ,
Barb

[ICNDonna]

I'd like to add another :welcome: to the IC Network family. I know you'll find a lot of information and support here.

I do have some suggestions that might help --- first is to put yourself on an IC diet. It's in the Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook --- some ICers find that single step helps more than any.

What dosage of elavil have you taken? It comes in as low as 5 mg doses and sometimes a very small dose, such as 5 or 10 mg will help with pain. I suggest you contact your doctor and ask about lowering your dosage to see if it still helps.

It may take a while to find just the right combination to feel better, but most of us do.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[traceann]

I too would like to add my :welcome: to the gang! Since you've already gotten great advice, I'll just leave it at a big welcome and glad you found us!!! Hope to see you around the boards!!!

:smile tee

[kspeer]

Thank you all for your warm welcome. I am currently taking 25 mg of Elavil. I will definitely ask for a lower dosage. It seems to help with the pain, but makes me zombie-like the entire next day. I do get GREAT sleep however, which is a relief! Thank you again for all of your well wishes!!

[leelee88]

:welcome:

Glad you found us...
The elavil helps alot if you can get used to it.. I started on 10mg and worked my way up..