overwhelmed!!

[angie1962]

Hi everyone, I was just diagnosed about 1mth ago. I'm scheduled for my first scope on August 20th. I also have Fibromyalgia which was diagnosed in 2001 and IBS.
All I've been doing is reading and reading and reading...its all so scary and overwhelming. I have no idea what food triggers I have, if any. I'm not on any meds at the moment for the IC. I use Tramacet for my FM and the rest of the time just grin and bear it.
I'm not sure what to ask the doc after the procedure, what to expect physically and what to do next....told you I was overwhelmed..hahaha
I live in Nova Scotia Canada, so at least I don't have to worry about the cost of any procedures
Tell me all you can...I'm like a sieve!!
:help:

[mimi1027]

First of all, download the IC diet off the site. It is not any fun, but if you will only eat from the first column "Usually Okay" you will probably start feeling better. Just keep in mind, that it may take several weeks. The diet is the most important key. You may want to try and introduce different foods after you are feeling much better. Remember it will take awhile for your bladder to heal. There are lots of good suggestions for meds, etc on the site. Check them all out before you go to doctor.

[bigred]

Also remember we are all here to support you even when your happy, sad, not feeling good, or it seems like no one really understands. Take good care of yourself and yes look and follow the IC diet as much as possible.

[Claredale]

I knew this was going to happen. Someone on here wrote out a list of questions to ask her doctor after her hydro that she had recently. She had all of her questions (which were great questiions) all written out and the doctor answered every single one of them. I will see if I can find her posting. Hopefully someone on here remembers her thread.

Hugs, Tracey

[leelee88]

Hello and :welcome:

Yes I remb that post Tracey! I will look also..

[Lexie]

Hello :) I'm the girl who posted the list of questions to ask the Dr. after the cysto/hydro surgery.

Here's the list:


- Was I tested for mycoplasma/ureaplasma bacteria?


- Based upon this procedure and my symptoms, have you diagnosed me with IC?


- If so, based upon the appearance of my bladder and my symptoms, would you classify it as mild, moderate, etc.?


- Is my bladder inflamed? If so, which part of my bladder appears inflamed?


- Did you note any glomerations (sp?) or pin-point bleeding? Ulcerations?


- Was a biopsy taken?


- Was my urethra inflamed?


- Were any pictures taken that I can look at?


- What was my bladder capacity? Is this capacity considered "normal"?


- Will I experience relief of my symptoms from this procedure? Will my symptoms initially be worse?


- Based upon the results of this procedure, what is my treatment plan? Is there anything I can do immediately to relieve my symptoms? Rescue instillations?


- Will I be given any pain meds and/or antibiotics after this procedure? What can I do to make myself more comfortable while healing?

I actually typed up this list and gave it to my family and told them to give it to the doctor after my surgery. He hand wrote all the answers for me and later told me that I was the only patient who's ever done that -- he liked it.

I thought that the procedure allieviated my symptoms at first, but I think that it was just the pain pills doing their job! It's been almost a week and a half since my surgery and I don't feel awful, but my bladder feels very sore and irritated. The doctor told me it was inflammed. Right now I'm adhering to the IC diet very strictly and keeping fingers crossed that the medicine kicks in sooner rather than later!

I hope that your surgery goes well and wish you luck with your treatments!

[SharonA]

Lexie...Thank you for bringing the post with all your questions back up. :)

[SharonA]

angie1962...Welcome to the ICN... :) :) :)

You will find the link to the IC Diet in my signature below. It really can be your first line of defense. For many of us, including myself, it has been invaluable in helping discover what might be our diet triggers.

While you are reading about the Diet, take a look in what is called the "elimination diet" section. Here is the link to that: http://www.ic-network.com/diet/eliminationdiets.html That may help explain how important it is to get down to the basics of how you begin learning what might be your diet triggers.

(((Hugs)))...

[angie1962]

thank you so much for all the feedback ladies...especially the list of questions Lexie. I will use them if you don't mind. I'm taking a good look at the diet today. Got to take a nice deep breath and deal with thing. I'll be glad in two weeks from today when I get this done..he's also doing the "wash thing" don't know what that's called..told you I was new. Thanks so much ladies...hugs to you all

[VickiB]

:welcome: to the group!

Yes, it is scarey & overwhelming at first. Keep in mind most of us do get to better days and then tend not to visit ICN or to post as much.

Good luck on the 20th. Let us know how it goes!

Vicki

[angie1962]

one more thing....because I have Fibromyalgia also I've been told that Omega 3 supplement is good for me....would it be a problem for the IC???

[SharonA]

I take Fish Oil supplements every day because of high cholesterol. I have not noticed any problems with it in connection with my IC symptoms.

[angie1962]

thanks Sharon...I'm going to try it...at least if it helps one problem it would make a difference for me :)

[Becky Boo]

Hi Angie :hi: Yes this can all be very overwhelming!!!! I started the IC diet in February of this year. I was diagnosed with IC in May of the year. I've been doing the diet for about 6 months now & it has most definatley helped!!!! My bladder was very sore & uncomfortable for a couple of months at least after Cystoscopy & hydro (done on April 22nd) but I can honestly say things are definatley more settled now :smile tee. The diet is hard but it is worth while! I thought I'd never be able to eat anything "fun" again. On Tuesday I had a fillet of fish from Mcdonalds (no sauce) & I was fine :woohoo: I do take prelief every day now with most foods I eat as I'd rather be safe that sorry! You can read up on this through this site. It has been a real saviour for me :smile tee! Hope everything goes well for you & you get some answers to your questions! Everyone on this site is fabulous & there's always someone here to listen :smile tee.
Good luck,
big hugs
xx

[SharonA]

Here's a hint about fish oil. Make sure you buy and take the Enteric Coated ones. I have found that it helps reduce the fish tasting burps that can come along with taking Fish Oil. :)

[angie1962]

thanks to all of you...I've gotten alot of good advice and after the 20th I might have more questions. It was my Uro that told me about this website, I'll have to give him a big hug the next time I see him.....unless he hurts me! hahaha
have a great weekend ladies

[born2swim]

Sorry you had to join the IC club. It sucks. I know you don't think you have food triggers... I was like that at first... but over time, I realized that I am diet sensitive. Give the elimination diet a good shot. It took about 2-3 months on it before I could tell it was helping. Then I could add things back slowly (some making me worse... some not making an effect). Tea is the worst thing on earth for my bladder. Then artificial sweeteners. Then soy. Diet can make a big difference!

Hi everyone, I was just diagnosed about 1mth ago. I'm scheduled for my first scope on August 20th. I also have Fibromyalgia which was diagnosed in 2001 and IBS.
All I've been doing is reading and reading and reading...its all so scary and overwhelming. I have no idea what food triggers I have, if any. I'm not on any meds at the moment for the IC. I use Tramacet for my FM and the rest of the time just grin and bear it.
I'm not sure what to ask the doc after the procedure, what to expect physically and what to do next....told you I was overwhelmed..hahaha
I live in Nova Scotia Canada, so at least I don't have to worry about the cost of any procedures
Tell me all you can...I'm like a sieve!!
:help: