keriwallace
11-18-2007, 04:11 PM
Hello, My name is Keri and I have been just diagnosed with IC about 2 weeks ago. My Story started 1 1/2 years ago- when I first noticed pain.
In May 2006, I came down with a terrible UTI. My doctor denyed me of my pain for weeks saying it was a mild infection that would cure itself over time. I was finally sent to the ER with tremendous pain in my back to later find out, my UTI had spread to both my kidneys. I was given 3 shots of anitbiotics and had to take a pill 3 times a day for 8 days.
The following months after that, I stopped having periods but continued to have horrible pain during the times I was due for my period. I was very concerned and was seen by the doctor once. After much testing, pregnancy was ruled out. (I was on the patch birth control, and so I was put on a lower dose birth control in hopes my periods would return). My pain got worse and still no periods. Not only did I have abdominal pain, I had pain with every activity that I did. Jumping hurt, running hurt, going to the restroom hurt and of course sexual intercourse hurt. In that time, I was seen by a total of 11 doctors that ranged from GYN, gastro docs, and even caner docs. I had numerous biopses done of my uterus (they found it to be swollen) but all came out negative.
In December 06, I had a laporoscopy preformed but the doctor said he found scar tissue, perhaps from an infection I never knew about. So he "cleaned it up" and told me that I should be pain free and resume my periods by the following month.
Again, the following months passed and I still didnt have periods AND the pain was worse!! I began a search on specialty doctors who could get to the bottom of this. I found a Doctor in Mesa, who is my saving Grace, that insisted in seeing me right away. Within a week of seeing me, he wanted to perform another laporoscopy so that he could see if there was anything going on inside.
Much to his surprise, He explained that He found Endometriosis in such a state that its the worst hes ever seen. He found my left falopian tube was completly closed and my right tube was "in the stages of closing" and the scar tissue that was caused by Endometriosis, not an infection, had in fact spread to my bowls, bladder, liver and kidneys, which explained the severe pain and absence of periods.
When I was well enough and had healed from the surgery, He suggested I be put on the Lupron Depot shot in hopes to slow down the scar tissue formation and to hopefully save my other tube from closing. I am now in my last month of treatments, and what a rollar coaster that has been!
Now, I still had terrible pain even though I was on Lupron. It was intill 2 weeks ago, that my doctor suggested to me that maybe the Luron just wasnt working. But once I explained in detail how my pain symptoms felt, He immediatly set me up with a PST (potassium sensitivity test) to test for IC. The following week I had my PST preformed and was told the terrible news that I was diagnosed with IC as well. So, just as a got my endometriosis under control, I am now trying to figure out how to tame my IC! My insurance is having trouble keeping up with all this so at this time, I am unable to start Elmiron right now but I have found Prelief to be such a miracle. Now remember, I have had pain every day since May of 06, and within minutes of taking my first Prelief pill, the pain has gone. And now a week later of taking prelief- I am still pain free and am able to do all the activities that I've missed so much like hiking without having to take a break! Prelief in AMAZING!!
So Im just curious--Is there anyone else, which I know there is, But I would love to talk to someone who has been diagnosed with both Endometriosis AND IC-- But I hope that I too can help people with their questions and I hope to be able to give some great and helpful advice back. Good luck IC population-and remember- dont let your happenings destroy your happiness! We can overcome this so dont let this overcome you!:hi:
In May 2006, I came down with a terrible UTI. My doctor denyed me of my pain for weeks saying it was a mild infection that would cure itself over time. I was finally sent to the ER with tremendous pain in my back to later find out, my UTI had spread to both my kidneys. I was given 3 shots of anitbiotics and had to take a pill 3 times a day for 8 days.
The following months after that, I stopped having periods but continued to have horrible pain during the times I was due for my period. I was very concerned and was seen by the doctor once. After much testing, pregnancy was ruled out. (I was on the patch birth control, and so I was put on a lower dose birth control in hopes my periods would return). My pain got worse and still no periods. Not only did I have abdominal pain, I had pain with every activity that I did. Jumping hurt, running hurt, going to the restroom hurt and of course sexual intercourse hurt. In that time, I was seen by a total of 11 doctors that ranged from GYN, gastro docs, and even caner docs. I had numerous biopses done of my uterus (they found it to be swollen) but all came out negative.
In December 06, I had a laporoscopy preformed but the doctor said he found scar tissue, perhaps from an infection I never knew about. So he "cleaned it up" and told me that I should be pain free and resume my periods by the following month.
Again, the following months passed and I still didnt have periods AND the pain was worse!! I began a search on specialty doctors who could get to the bottom of this. I found a Doctor in Mesa, who is my saving Grace, that insisted in seeing me right away. Within a week of seeing me, he wanted to perform another laporoscopy so that he could see if there was anything going on inside.
Much to his surprise, He explained that He found Endometriosis in such a state that its the worst hes ever seen. He found my left falopian tube was completly closed and my right tube was "in the stages of closing" and the scar tissue that was caused by Endometriosis, not an infection, had in fact spread to my bowls, bladder, liver and kidneys, which explained the severe pain and absence of periods.
When I was well enough and had healed from the surgery, He suggested I be put on the Lupron Depot shot in hopes to slow down the scar tissue formation and to hopefully save my other tube from closing. I am now in my last month of treatments, and what a rollar coaster that has been!
Now, I still had terrible pain even though I was on Lupron. It was intill 2 weeks ago, that my doctor suggested to me that maybe the Luron just wasnt working. But once I explained in detail how my pain symptoms felt, He immediatly set me up with a PST (potassium sensitivity test) to test for IC. The following week I had my PST preformed and was told the terrible news that I was diagnosed with IC as well. So, just as a got my endometriosis under control, I am now trying to figure out how to tame my IC! My insurance is having trouble keeping up with all this so at this time, I am unable to start Elmiron right now but I have found Prelief to be such a miracle. Now remember, I have had pain every day since May of 06, and within minutes of taking my first Prelief pill, the pain has gone. And now a week later of taking prelief- I am still pain free and am able to do all the activities that I've missed so much like hiking without having to take a break! Prelief in AMAZING!!
So Im just curious--Is there anyone else, which I know there is, But I would love to talk to someone who has been diagnosed with both Endometriosis AND IC-- But I hope that I too can help people with their questions and I hope to be able to give some great and helpful advice back. Good luck IC population-and remember- dont let your happenings destroy your happiness! We can overcome this so dont let this overcome you!:hi: