Answers please?

[MissMal]

I was recently diagnosed IC, and have noticed for the past few months intolerable pain and swelling right before, during, and shortly after my period. I have been on birth control for 3 years and have most recently been on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I have a call in to my doctor about either changing my prescription to seasonique or skipping my sugar pills to have the same effect. Has anyone else had any relief from this? Is anyone taking seasonique?

I am very happy with my Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, and had alot of trouble adjusting to a new one. I'm sure that my doctor will be fine with both options, but want to know how much success anyone has had with switching to a pill designed to be like seasonique.

Also, for those of us still in school, any ideas to relieve pain on the go across a huge campus? Also, my teachers have been very cooperative this semester while I was unsure of what was going on, but what about the future, what do most people say to their teachers when they absolutely can't sit all the way through a 1 hour and 25 min class... almost every time?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[leelee88]

I am on continuous birth control and it helps me a lot. Before I was on it I would have a terrible time with IC and my periods!

Another thing you might want to check into if you are having a hard time during your period is to rule out endo..

[amaranthe]

Hello and :welcome: to the ICN! Sorry you are dealing with all this too, especially at such a young age.

It is funny that Leelee mentioned having your Gyno check out the possibility of Endometriosis, b/c that was also the first thing that came to my mind when I read your post.

I have Endo and it also made my periods unbearable! The only way to d/x is to have laproscopic surgery. Endo and IC are often called the terrible twins b/c such a high proportion of patients that have one also have the other. Adhesions are also frequently present with Endo and can be found when the laproscopic surgery is performed.

Again, I am so glad that you found all of us and the ICN. I hope you will stick around. There is so much information and support here and so many great ideas to help deal with the symptoms, stress, and pain of these d/xes. If you ever want to talk to someone privately, feel free to PM me anytime!

Sending hugs,
Amaranthe