Young does not equal Healthy

[dreamerz02]

I started having symptoms before I was 16 and finally received a d/x at 20 y.o. I am now 24 and still having a hard time dealing with it all. Over the past year my IC has gotten worse and I have started to realize that it has taken its toll on my life... At least more than I was willing to admit to myself. At 16 I could at least enjoy driving around. Now I can barely make it to the store and back without pain. Before I was 21, I couldn't drink. Friends go to the bars and dance clubs and I can't due to my IC and fatigue. (Bars are not the greatest place to be at when you have to pee often!) I have lost friends due to the inability to go to activities. I am lucky enough to have found a boy that doesn't mind not having sex because of the pain, but it's been hard trying to tell bfs in the past about your condition. I picked my undergraduate because it was close to my home and knew I could get help if needed. Now as my IC has become more unmanageable I find myself hundreds of miles away from my family. I picked this graduate school because it was close to a hospital and a major medical school. My life choices on where to go to school, what I should eat, who I should hang out with (only those that are empathetic to my condition), who I date, etc. have all hinged on my health condition.

The worst part is people look at me like "You're 24. you shouldn't be sick. You're young". It's hard to be at a young age and making decisions that you didn't think you would have to consider at your age. It's even harder for other people to understand that although I am 24 and I don't LOOK sick....I am! I am still having trouble accepting that myself

- Megan

[ABliske]

yes, it is tough!!!!!!!! I had my first UTI at 19 and it was horrible! I was in so much pain, but didn't go to the health clinic because I didn't know where to go. I was in college and very busy and I put it on the back burner. I didn't even know what a UTI was. I thought what I had would just go away. At 21 I had more symtoms that went away and by 25 I was in pain all the time. Now, 3 years later, I still am but I can manage it with pain killers.
Bar are overrated anyway! haha I hope you can find some relief. I feel like my life revolves around this way too much too and it's costly to get meds etc.

[petrie86]

i know exactly what you mean, I was 18 when I started having IC symptoms and was told it's all in my head. But 4 years later, with the help of family and bf and great urologoist I'm pretty much back to my normal 22 year old life. It took alot of patience and finding what works for your body. I tell ya honestly stress has EVERYTHING to do with IC.
Breaking up with my ex was the best thing for my IC. Sad to say that but he did nothing but keep my sick, and offered no support. So keep your head up and surround yourself with positive people. Trial and Error....
If ya ever want to talk to someone around your age, pm me! Sending hugs!!!!

Rachel