Intro

[Dianne]

Hi everyone. First I'd like to thank Jill for this new forum. In the way of intros, I'm an RN, 27 yrs. total (5 yrs. aide then RN)in an OB ward at a community hospital. I work 4 days/week which is too much right now but have to. I've had IC for 5 yrs. I've "done" elmiron, alternatives, DMSO, numberous drugs, and am presently awaiting approval from HMO to try the SANS. I look forward to using this forum and would love to "meet my new neighbors."
Dianne

[Hope]

Hi Dianne, and all

I am a clinical psychologist with ic and other assorted lovely problems. I have had the health problems for about 3 years. I have been in the mental health field for 20 years, and a psychologist for 10 of those years. I have a part time private practice and am a full time mom of 2 young children. I look forward to this forum. My current dilemma is the temptation to take on clients with health problems, since I am pretty well educated in this area by now. But I wonder if being surrounded by health problems in my personal and professional life will be too overwhelming. Hmmmm. Hope you are feeling good Dianne.

Hope

[Dianne]

Welcome, Hope, nice to read your story and I can relate to the dilemma. I have advocated for several OB patients with vulvodynia/IC and found it wasn't too much if not a steady diet since one in particular was a lot of work, calling me constantly and so forth. On the flip side, I'm a recovering alcoholic nearing 14 yrs. sobriety and active in AA. I thought I might like to work in the CD area because of my experience as a recovering medical person so I received my CDC certification only to discover in about a week's time that it was way too much recovery stuff doing it both on clock and off clock so I happily returned to full-time OB. I wouldn't have been happy however, until I checked it out. I did a few visits with the EAP person as required in order to take medical leave last year. It turned out she had IBS and a good working knowledge of IC so she was able to really advocate for me at work which was great.