New,Confused and so much going on

[whispercalm]

Hi Everyone,
I'll try to keep this brief. I was diagnosed with IC two weeks ago by my gynocologist. Can'ta remember the names of the tests. Irst was the ballder capacity one ( I also beed a bladder sling). Then a week later she put the camera in my bladder and I was able to see it. SHe even gave me pictures. I was surprised at the inflammation. Then they put in some potassium which burned like crazy.
I am not at a severe stage yet, buit I have been more uncomfortable since those tests two weeks ago then before. I also have had alot of yeast infections and vulva problems this summer. I thought maybe because I switched from bio-identical hormones to premarin because of the costs. I have noticed a big difference since then in many areas if how I feel.
Anyway, she put me on Elmiron and Atarax and gave me a diet sheet. I have been SO sick since sarting this stuff. Atarax was on 10 mg too. I am depressed, exhuasted, weak, even have trouble breathing at times. Clarity of thought is not as good. I stopped the Atarax aafter the first week and THe Emrion yesterday. I can'ta figaaure out the diet. I did order a cook book.
I don't know if it because I also have a high amount of stress right now or if it is the meds. Insurance wise I am in apickle with anitdepressents and stuff.
Oh also,, those meds made gastritis flare upp big time and IB too. Haven't had praoablems inyears. My insurance will nota cover pre-existing copnditions such as gastaritis , and IB. Since I was on antidepressents years ago, it won't cover themeither. Iwas not depressed befoe this. I am scared.
Right now I don'ta even have my ownplace to live. My daughter and I live with my boyfriend..we stay in his spare room. Been here six months now. I am employed, but workk 30 miles away. Lost my apartment do to building beingsold. ANYWAY, I am 47 and never thought I would bne in such a situation. I am unsure where he and I are going too and everything just is stackingt up fast.
Sorry, just needed to unload somewhere.

[whispercalm]

My, what a bad speller I was... sorry. I am usually much better. My post looked awful

[hdb1982]

Don't worry about how it looks. I am sorry you are having such a tough time with your ins. company. I am without ins. so I know how much it stinks. If you are given an anti-depressant for nerve pain, like a lot of IC'ers are, will they cover it under those circumstances? or is it simply, no anti depressants? When you are first dx'd you have so many different emotions run through you and each is justified. It is a very scary thing when you are told you have this life long uncurable disease that doesn't even have atleast 1 medication that works for everyone. So don't feel bad if you are, sad, angry, depressed whatever. You have the right to feel what you feel no matter what it is. We have all been where you have been at one point or another and we have all pulled through, as will you. Just know that we are always here to listen and help whenever possible. ~ Heather

[SharonA]

:welcome: to the ICN...Don't worry about the spelling. Not a problem.

If you haven't already, be sure to tell your doctor that you are not taking the meds. She needs to know that.

I am very sorry that you have been going through so much. I know how hard it is to deal with this in the beginning. So much to learn. It can be overwhelming. Being scared is a normal reaction to the unknown. Which book did you order? Both of them are very good. It will help you make sense of the diet.

Try to relax and take one day at a time. We are here to try to help you through this. Soon, everything will begin to make sense and it will become second nature.

:):):)

[whispercalm]

Thanks for the quick replies. I did call my insurance about the Atarax whe I picked it up because they rejected it...because it could be considered a treatment for depressionintheir eyes. The gave me anumber to have my doctor call. Her nurse called me and said the insurance said I had to call them to request it being covered, which I already did and was told my doctor needed to call to specify it was not for depression. So I am getting abit of a run around. I have stopped taking it for now as I stated. The cost of Atarax isn't that bad even if they don't cover it, but I will work trying to get them to consider other meds I may be prescribed.
I will contact my gynocologist too about not taking them and how sick I felt. I guess I just didn't want to deal with it last week. I have made an appointment with a urologist for Dec 4th too. Beside the IC I need a bladder sling and probably have some adhesions from hysterectemy which cause some pain too. I had a monor adhesion removal done when they took out my gallbladder about 5 years ago. No matter what I am looking at some big medical bills and have no idea how to pay for them. Even with insurance, my deductible and out of pocket is going to be $4000. My gynocologist did say that the bladder sling might help the IC not be so bad, and the neck of my bladder is bent or twisted too. The main problem with my insurance is the company I work for is too small for a group plan which would have covered pre-existing conditions. So we they bought us individual policies which don't cover them. It is better than nothing and at least the IC itself is not pre-existing, just the antidepressants, gastritis, IB, oh and dthey won't pay for colonoscopies or sleep apnea. Where they got sleep apnea from I haven't a clue!!!
I ordered the Taste of the Good Life Cook book a few days ago.

[Berkshire Road]

Hello and :welcome: to the ICN. Don't worry, no one is passing judgment on your spelling or typing (but if it really bothers you, it's easy to edit your own posts. Just click the edit button that will appear at the bottom left side after you post.)

I'm glad that you're going to a urologist. IC is tough to handle in the sense that not every treatment works for every patient. Sometimes it takes time and experimentation to find what works for you. But, and this is very important, most of us do improve. It's unlikely to be like this forever.

Your personal situation sounds really tough, and stress of course can exacerbate IC symptoms. But there are ways to get better. Just following the diet, alone, has helped a lot of people.

I'm very sorry to hear that you're in such a difficult place in your life. You will always be welcome to come here and write about your problems, ask for advice, or (sometimes), just rant a little. We all need to unload, sometimes.

You will be in my thoughts. Please hold on to hope. Things will get better.

[gopher7895]

whispercalm, that's such a nice name. I just want to say Welcome. I'm 47 too and was diagnosed in April this year. IC is such a frustrating disease and this site is great to come to for help. I was having a major flare and started Atarax and Elmiron about 3 months ago. Atarax made me really tired at first. I work part time and would take a nap every afternoon when I got home for the first couple weeks. After that my body seemed to adjust to it and I was less tired. I've been feeling pretty good lately and haven't taken it for about 2 weeks and am still doing OK. I haven't had any problems with Elmiron and the longer I take it the more it seems to help. The diet is hard at first but made a huge difference for me. About a week after starting it my urgency and frequency were about 50% less and now aren't much of a problem. I still get some burning pain but the diet has worked miracles for me. You'll like the cookbook. I have it too and it's great.

Sorry to hear about your insurance and housing problems. I've had my share of battles with my insurance company too. I also have IBS, low thyroid, high blood pressure and a chronic fever. I spend a lot of time and money at the doctor's office but feel like I'm getting healthier. Hope you're feeling better...Sue

[Michelle25]

:welcome:

[leelee88]

Hello and :welcome: to the ICN