Had to take week off work for IC!

[BladderGirl77]

Hi all,

I have been suffering with the worst IC flare ever for the past month. I finally had to call HR at my company and tell them that I have to take the rest of the week off. I love my job and have many responsibilities in my position, so it's a big deal that I am not there, and I have to somehow get able to function by next week. I am taking Prelief, Vicodin, Urispas, Lexapro (you name it and I'm taking it). What alternative therapies can I take to just get me through this while I'm waiting for my next hydro, and get back to work? I REALLY don't want to lose my job, and in this bad economy, if I lost my job it may take my years to find another good one. I am very sad about this. I didn't get to enjoy the holidays at all due to the pain and being in bed with a heating pad most of the time. I have been out of Clonopin, so I've been taking xanax, and I feel that maybe it makes my bladder pain worse. Has anyone ever had that problem before with that medication? It tastes very acidic when I am swallowing it. Any natural therapies besides Cystaque (spelling?) that I can take. I remember taking it before and it felt that it made me worse.

Hugs,
Sara

[kadi]

Hi Sara,
I'm so sorry! It's very frustrating to be IC-sick & worrying about our jobs just makes it harder. I don't have any experiences with the meds you mention, so I don't have anything to add there.

Maybe you're already doing this, have you checked your diet for any recent new additions? Sometimes a food that is ok once, if we start eating it regularly, can cause IC symptoms to sneak up on us & become big before we know it. (I call it the "frog in the saucepan" flare - put a frog in hot water & it jumps right out, but put a frog in nice cool water in the pan, heat it slowly & the frog never knows what happened. Animal lovers - it's just a metaphor, no actual frogs were harmed by me!)

Seriously, I hope you are feeling better very soon.
Kadi

[icnewlywed]

I too have had recent flares with my IC that have caused me to take leave from work for the past 2 weeks. I know how frustrating it can be to be stuck at home, worrying about what your missing at work. My husband is much more worried about me losing my job than I am. My symptoms have been so bad the past month I can't think of anything other than my IC. Have you spoke to your urologist about helping you overcome your flare.

I hope you start feeling better soon!