Newly diagnosed today

[rgilbert92]

I am very greatful for this forum and had been talking to others at " Not diagnosed with IC yet". I recieved much support and advice. Thank you for that.
I have had IC symptoms since March of this year. through a process of elimination, my uroligist confirmed today that I have IC. I have been taking Enablex and it helps with the cramping but not the burning and urgency. The IC diet has helped along with Pre-Relief while eating out. I would say my symptoms are moderate in intensity most of the time. My doctor gave me all my options and I have chosen to start with the least invasive treatments first. I will start PFT tomorrow.
I read that someone said they were happy when told they had IC, I can relate, the happiness comes from having an answer and being able to move forward. At the same time, I feel like crying when I walk past all the fruits in the grocery store. I will REALLY miss them :)

[VickiB]

I know the feeling. I felt like crying when I'd reach the salad dressing aisle! Then someone told me to try cottage cheese on my salad and ,wow, I actually prefer that!

You'll probably hear this a lot but,... it really does get easier with time!

Vicki

[Renee11]

You are definitely not alone with missing certain foods. I can't even begin to tell you how upset I was to learn that I could no longer eat anything with tomatoes in it. I'm half Italian and I enjoy tomato sauce like no other! But not anymore. :tsk: My bladder reminds me that things have changed and I can no longer indulge in the foods I once loved. I want to cry too as I walk past the produce section of the grocery store; no more mangos, pineapple, oranges, etc. :rant: It literally is heartbreaking. And depressing. But...our bladders thank us for it! :cussing: @ our IC bladders!!!!

[rgilbert92]

VickyB Thanks, I will try the cottage cheese

Renee11 I understand completely, I LOVE italian food. Guess I'm going to eat more white sauces

Thank you both for the support and understanding

[sdg0319]

This is such a frustrating condition, but please do yourself a favor and check into acupuncture along with the IC diet (for now). After 9 years of having this condition, and trying everything under the sun, it has been the only thing that has helped me and given me any hope. You have to find a good one though, one who knows their stuff.

[Becky Boo]

Hi there - yes we can most certainly all sympathise with you! I was diagnosed at the begining of May this year & like yourself seemed to burst into tears everytime I went shopping. It just seemed to me that there was just nothing I could eat without pain anymore :confused: 3 months on & I can honestly say YES is does get much easier as we learn to accept our conditions & the longing for certain foods doesn't seem so strong. I also take prelief with everything I eat & drink at present to give my bladder that extra bit of help to heal & settle down. The moto that got me through this was "I can eat what I want, I CHOOSE not to eat certain foods as I CHOOSE not to be in pain" (It was Donna who replies regular to our threads & is always there for us so thanks Donna, you helped me a great deal with a similar phrase when I was first diagnosed)!
Things will get easier you'll see :smile tee
Big hugs
xx

[rgilbert92]

Thank you Becky, I really like what you said about making the choice to not eat certain foods as it helps me to feel more in control. It is difficult to feel like your body is out of control and not being able to get a handle on it.

Now if I can just sort out the many options. My urologist said he would proceed how ever I wanted. I liked it better when the doctor said, here's how we're going to fix this and I'm better.

[Becky Boo]

Hi there! Yes this is most certainly a difficult time for making decisions! I live in England so with have the NHS so we don't really get a choice of how our treatment is started or how it's continued. See now..... I would love to be able to make those choices! There are things I would like to try for the IC & things I would like to try for the Vulvodynia, but I just have to wait to see what my Urologist decides to do next:mad: We tend to get started on treatments that are the least expensive! I would suggest having a real good look through this sites advice on treatments & pain management! It's very informative! Its a real difficult one cause what works for one may not neccessarily work for another but you are in charge! Knowledge is power so do lots of research & see what you think! You'll also get plenty of advice from the lovely ladies on this support forum! We'll all keep our fingers crossed that you find a good combination of meds to work for you :smile tee Also, remember, your specialist already has knowledge of your diagnoses so may have some ideas of where he'd like to start???
Big hugs
xx

[Believing]

I hear you. I was diagnosed almost a year ago, and the first time my husband pulled into Starbucks after the diagnosis---I burst into tears. He felt horrible. I ordered some Euromild and am going to try it soon.