Appt with ob/gyn tomorrow - questions to ask?

[Blue_sky]

Hi -
A little background. I've got an almost-5-year old and my husband and I have been trying to conceive since May. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with IC after a really horrid June (bladder and back pain, frequency, urethral pain, urgency, etc -- we took a break from TTC). I've been feeling a bit better in July as long as I watch what I eat, but not quite healthy. For the moment I'm not taking any drugs for IC.

It seemed like a wise idea to bring my ob/gyn into the loop on my IC (I've been seeing a urologist for my diagnosis). So I've got a consultation meeting with her tomorrow morning, but now I'm not quite sure what to ask. I want to see if she is familiar with IC and if she's worked with pregnant patients with IC (I'm hoping I won't need drugs while pregnant--assuming that happens--but I would want my OB to be comfortable with that if I really needed it). I'll ask her about the discomfort with intercourse for sure. And I'll ask her about how to do a little better in pinpointing ovulation so we can maximize chances of conception without wearing me out.

But what else should I be asking? Or are meetings like this more about me bringing her up-to-date on what's going on with me medically? I'm wondering now if I should have had my uro forward all my records to her in advance of this meeting (too late for that now!).

I always learn so much when I post here. Thanks in advance for any ideas you've got for me.

Steph

[lisabar36]

Hi, I was going to suggest you have all your records forwarded that way they have all your current IC info. Also another thing you may want to do, print some info on IC and take it with you. Alot of doctors know about it but not all really know alot, and if you have info with you to give the doctor, it can give them a better understanding if they are not to familiar with it. Also, its ok to ask questions. Whatever you feel you need to ask. What helps me is I write them down and that way when I go, I don't forget to ask anything. Voice your concerns because thats also what they are there for. You have to know you will feel comfortable with the doctor and ask questions. Good luck at your visit. :)

[Blue_sky]

Thanks, Lisa. Good advice here, as usual.

Do you think any overview of IC would do? I usually go to www.mayoclinic.com (maybe because I grew up in Minnesota...) and they have an overview I can print out. I may even highlight key phrases since I'm sure she'll be skimming. Are there other articles people have found helpful to explain IC? I'll post the link to the mayo clinic one incase anyone is interested:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/interstitial-cystitis/DS00497

Wish I had thought to have my records forwarded... but maybe if I call my uro tomorrow they will fax them over before my appt. If not, at least I can tell my ob/gyn that they are on their way.

I'll write out my questions for sure. I'm sure that will help me feel more in control of the meeting.

Any other questions I should be asking? Have other people found their ob/gyn's to be helpful or to offer additional perspectives?

Thanks,
Steph

[Blue_sky]

OK - so the appointment wasn't actually today... it was yesterday (oops). Lots on my mind - not like me to mess these things up. Anyway, I've got a few more days to gather my questions now I guess.

[leelee88]

Lisa gave you some great tips..

I would hope this Dr is knowledgeable about IC if not you might want to find a Ob/gyn who is.. This will prob make things easier for you when you do conceive to have a Dr who understands what you are going through. Please let us know how it goes..

[Blue_sky]

Ok - so I saw my ob/gyn. She said she has lots of patients with IC and has had pregnant patients with IC (I'm trying TTC). And that most urinary symptoms get worse with pregnancy, so I could probably anticipate that too (though hopefully not, she said). But, at this point I would probably leave my primary care of IC to my urologist, or to the IC specialist I could see. I would consult with her on things my uro didn't know (he seems a bit clueless on what drugs are ok when pregnant).

The helpful things she did say was that the Detrol LA my uro prescribed is probably contributing to vaginal dryness and to some pain with intercourse. I'm going to stop that for now and see how it goes. And she advised olive oil (just a drop) as a non-irritating lubricant. We'll give that a try.

Not sure exactly what I expected from her. I feel ok going forward with her, but not exactly reassured.

Anyway, thanks for your counsel.