Finally Diagnosed

[ICtears]

So.. as of Monday, I am officially eligible to be in this network. I was diagnosed after the KCL challenge. I think I feel better just knowing what it is now. So I think part of it is psychological. I started Elmiron this week. I know it takes a while to start working but I'm optimistic. I'm continuing my diet which isn't the easiest thing to do but luckily I can cook and have been making lots of interesting meals. Recipes are welcome. Boy do I miss the Mexican food. I've lost 5 pounds from taking out the things I can't eat, not that I have much weight to spare. At the moment I'm doing alright with this situation. It gets a little discouraging when everyone wants to make a big pot of spaghetti or a chocolate cake but I'm coping. I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks again for all of the support!

-April

[traceann]

I agree, it's good that you have a name for it and now know what treatments to try etc. to get feeling better! ;)

The diet is tough in the beginning, but it does get better, eventually you start adding things back in to help you find your trigger foods, so all things aren't eliminated forever :) It certainly can feel that way though....lol

Hope you are having a good bladder day and glad you now can move forward towards feeling better!!!!

[bigred]

Hope the elmiron is going to work for you I know it does for me.

[Briza]

Traceann is right...having a diagnosis and then treatment plans are a big step in feeling better, and like you said, psychologically. She's also correct about the diet...it seems very ominous and scary at first, but with time and treatment you WILL find your triggers and you may very well find that they are much fewer than what the diet appears to be at first. That is definitely so in my case. I have very few triggers, but I know them and it is easy to avoid them. But it does take time...even if you don't see results following the diet very strictly at first, try not to get discouraged...it may be that your bladder is so irritated at this point that giving it a break from what the diet says you can't eat is necessary to help it heal and then you will more easily be able to tell what your triggers are.

My first year with IC I was in constant pain 24 hours a day, and no matter how strictly I followed the diet, I didn't notice any change in my pain or frequency levels. But like I said, with dx, time, treatment, everything changed and I very quickly learned what my trigger foods are.

When I first saw the diet, I was like, WHAT NO FRUITS EXCEPT PEARS, the only fruit I DON'T like is pears and I eat tons of fruit!!?? But now after time and trial and error, I can now eat all fruits...if I eat them with or after an IC safe meal, or snack.... espcially a protein, like a boiled egg or some chesse. Fruits now serve as my dessert, and it's a really refreshing way to end a meal.

Best wishes. :) I hope Elmiron works for you! There are other meds that can give you relief from your symptoms in the meantime...don't hesitate to discuss other standard protocol IC meds with your doctor. They can give you much symptom relief while waiting for the Elmiron to kick in. :)

[Vampireness]

ICTears, I like your optimism, and you seem very well aware of the IC diet, you're a good patient. That's great.

Briza - *Waves to you* I laughed when you said this:
"I was like, WHAT NO FRUITS EXCEPT PEARS, the only fruit I DON'T like is pears and I eat tons of fruit!!??"

It's how I acted lol. I am not too fond of pears either lol I still eat the fruits that's a no no lol especially grapes, I loveeee!!!

Honestly, I don't really know what my trigger food are lol it's hard to tell when you keep having new infections and I think I'm reacting to the Coffee, I drank then I end up showing positive for an infection lol Then other times, I think I am reacting but it's me getting my period lol Sometimes, my bladder starts to hurt as I'm eating something, so I take it as that's my bladder's way of saying, "no more stop stop it's getting hot in here, don't create an inferno".

Also, I love Prelief lol I actually thought I was getting better and could anything I want without paying for it, but it was the Prelief, I felt it when I ran out lol

Vampireness

[leelee88]

Sorry for the Dx, But now that you know you can get on the right meds and start treament.. Good luck..:angel:

[Buggie]

I am sorry for the dx's too...but I hope you can find some advice/comfort/support on the boards like I have. I know what you mean about the diet I miss salsa and hot sauce! I wouldn't dare eat them now...I would end up in the emergeny room!!!!

[ICNDonna]

I'm not sure I understand why, but it always seems easier to deal with a physical problem after you learn what the problem is.

I know the diet is a challenge, but it's so worth it. And once you begin feeling better you can begin trying some of your favorite foods a little at a time. You mentioned that you like Mexican food and it's something I've always liked too.

Donna

[soccermom32]

Hi:hi:
Well, I'm sorry you had to join us "officially" but now you are the road to recovery. The worst will be behind you, now you can focus on getting better.

My nightmare started last Nov of 06. I was diagnosed in March of this year. I was in SO much pain ALL the time I never thought I'd get better. There was a lot of things I couldn't eat at the time of my diagnosis and I thought I'd never have my beloved latte again. Well, 6 months later and lots of treatments and great doctors, I am doing SO much better and enjoying my coffee every morning without any side effects.

Stick to the diet right now so you can heal. You will be able to enjoy foods again...it just takes a little time. :welcome: