curls
07-20-2007, 06:31 AM
Hello.
I am new to IC and this forum. I live in Toronto (Canada) and was diagnosed just 2 weeks ago. I believe I have had symptoms for a couple of years however. It started with frequency at night, but around December 2006 I started having pain and of course thought I had a UTI. No bacteria was found. Previously I had complained to my GP about frequency and back (left kidney) pain and was given a speech about our bodies not being perfect and that sometimes pain is just part of life (insert big groan here).
I found another doctor (which is very difficult here with our shortages). After repeated visits with UTI-like symptoms, but no bacteria in the urine I was sent to a uro-gynecologist. It took 5 months to see her. My visit consisted of a 30 second conversation upon which she diagnosed me with interstitial cystitis, handed me a pamphlet (downloaded from this site i think) and said goodbye.
I feel quite alone. I returned to my GP for a follow-up appointment about a thyroid exam, told him about my diagnosis of IC and his response was "yes that's a diagnosis when you cannot make any other diagnosis". It was said with an unconvincing air -that he didn't give the disease much credibility.
I don't know if I can see this uro-gynecologist for follow-ups -as it took 5 months for a 30 second appointment I don't know what good it would do me. I also don't feel my GP has any interest or knowledge of IC.
I am struggling with pain and sleepless nights. I seem to be extremely sensitive to most foods. I have not had alcohol, coffee or tea or fruit or chocolate in months, but the pain is still here -worse after I pee and lasts for hours from my urethra right up to under my ribs with a burning throbbing pain.
I am single and find it depressing trying to fathom starting an intimate relationship with someone. I suppose this is depressing me. Some friends have already stopped inviting me out because I don't drink and I don't eat many things and even a recent tea party was bypassed me because friends thought i wouldn't have liked it because they only served black tea. I know they mean well, but honestly -i don't want to be left out!
I am 38 and I formerly loved cooking -I own many, many cookbooks. I am a vegetarian, and cooked many meals for friends. Now food and drink is not fun and social and I feel alone.
Sorry this is a long intro post. I suppose I need to talk to people who may understand. No one I know has even heard of IC -neither had I . And when your GP and uro-gynecologist seem to treat it flippantly -its a bit of a downer.
Anyone else having difficulties in Canada? Does anyone have any products they have tried that are available in Canada?
Thanks for listening -this is a great site.
Valerie.
----------------------
Constant pain worse after urination -burning, throbbing, shooting
Some frequency at night
Urgency
No tests except urinalysis for UTI
30 second diagnosis by uro-gynecologist
BETTER with menstrual cycle -much worse right after
IC Diet
Just started Deer Harvest Aloe Vera
Preleif -tried once no noticeable improvement, will try again
I am new to IC and this forum. I live in Toronto (Canada) and was diagnosed just 2 weeks ago. I believe I have had symptoms for a couple of years however. It started with frequency at night, but around December 2006 I started having pain and of course thought I had a UTI. No bacteria was found. Previously I had complained to my GP about frequency and back (left kidney) pain and was given a speech about our bodies not being perfect and that sometimes pain is just part of life (insert big groan here).
I found another doctor (which is very difficult here with our shortages). After repeated visits with UTI-like symptoms, but no bacteria in the urine I was sent to a uro-gynecologist. It took 5 months to see her. My visit consisted of a 30 second conversation upon which she diagnosed me with interstitial cystitis, handed me a pamphlet (downloaded from this site i think) and said goodbye.
I feel quite alone. I returned to my GP for a follow-up appointment about a thyroid exam, told him about my diagnosis of IC and his response was "yes that's a diagnosis when you cannot make any other diagnosis". It was said with an unconvincing air -that he didn't give the disease much credibility.
I don't know if I can see this uro-gynecologist for follow-ups -as it took 5 months for a 30 second appointment I don't know what good it would do me. I also don't feel my GP has any interest or knowledge of IC.
I am struggling with pain and sleepless nights. I seem to be extremely sensitive to most foods. I have not had alcohol, coffee or tea or fruit or chocolate in months, but the pain is still here -worse after I pee and lasts for hours from my urethra right up to under my ribs with a burning throbbing pain.
I am single and find it depressing trying to fathom starting an intimate relationship with someone. I suppose this is depressing me. Some friends have already stopped inviting me out because I don't drink and I don't eat many things and even a recent tea party was bypassed me because friends thought i wouldn't have liked it because they only served black tea. I know they mean well, but honestly -i don't want to be left out!
I am 38 and I formerly loved cooking -I own many, many cookbooks. I am a vegetarian, and cooked many meals for friends. Now food and drink is not fun and social and I feel alone.
Sorry this is a long intro post. I suppose I need to talk to people who may understand. No one I know has even heard of IC -neither had I . And when your GP and uro-gynecologist seem to treat it flippantly -its a bit of a downer.
Anyone else having difficulties in Canada? Does anyone have any products they have tried that are available in Canada?
Thanks for listening -this is a great site.
Valerie.
----------------------
Constant pain worse after urination -burning, throbbing, shooting
Some frequency at night
Urgency
No tests except urinalysis for UTI
30 second diagnosis by uro-gynecologist
BETTER with menstrual cycle -much worse right after
IC Diet
Just started Deer Harvest Aloe Vera
Preleif -tried once no noticeable improvement, will try again