please work this time

[TX1]

I've tried several times to share my story and it keeps telling me I am not logged in even though it says "logged in user" . Sheesh maybe this one will work .

[Dixiefireball]

welcome to the icn :welcome: so far it seems like your post went threw i look forward to reading your story.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[TX1]

What an excellent site!
I don't feel so alone. I am almost 37 years old and I live in British Columbia Canada. I have four children, one dog, one bird and IC.
I am lucky to have a supportive husband and an understanding workplace.
I was formally diagnosed in Aug/03 but knew there was somthing up with my bladder over fifteen years ago. I am just thankful it's not bladder cancer or anything like that. My main symptom, actually my only one is frequency, and i mean FREQUENCY. When i have a flare up(just learned that term) i go every 5-10 min. I can hold it maybe up to twenty min. but not much longer. It's becoming more and more of a concern in my life.

I used to joke about it to my ball team over the years. They actually nicknamed me puddles because of the puddles i'd leave at the ball fields due to my need to pee. When i was younger drinking alcohal would really make me go a lot. I don't drink alcohal anymore it's just not worth the endless peeing.
It's not so much of a joke anymore. Infact the other day I finally broke down and bought some Tena pads. Our ball season is about to start and I can no longer hold it for over an hour like i used to.
I had a cytoscopy in Aug/03 and for me it made things worse or so it seems. My bladder's never been the same since then. Prior to the procedure I could hold it without much discomfort for 1.5-2 hours ... now I am lucky to hold it for 45 min. Sorta makes me wonder if the cytoscopy was worth it. I dont' have any pain associated with it, never did. My uro tried to tell me the only treatment was to go on Elmiron. I checked out the cost and the fact that it's a life long treatment and i decided to do a bit more research before I use it. It's only been on the market since 96 , that doesn't sit to well with me.
I am thankful to have found this site.
P.S. I read some posts that hinted cranberry juice is bad for people with IC, is this true?
Thanks for letting me share.
TX1

[TX1]

Thanks Rhonda I just read your post.
Super great to feel like I can have a connection with people who know exactly what I am going through.
Hugs and prayers back

[Dixiefireball]

yes hon most icers if they drink cranberry juice it will send them in a huge flare very painful. and pee like crazy or at least feel like they have to pee (bladder spasms) i have three children and raise our nephew so i guess you could say four LOL so three boys and one girl we live out in the country so we have game fowl chickens dogs cats. LOL.
Your not alone in this fight never think that we will always be here for you I do care and if you want to chat please pm me i would be more then happy to talk with you.
with ic you may find that foods and drinks high in acid will make you flare alot of us use prelief over the counter that helps stop the acid in the foods and drinks we have a diet on the board i think you have to go to the home page to find it this site has just been updated and moved so i think everything now is on the home page.
Elimron has helped many icer but it can take up to six mths to a year to work.:( how ever elimron didnt do well with me since my ic is chornic i take dmso treatments at home heparin and marcaine. if Elimron cost is what worries you please check out the low income board or the lowincome website that http: is at the bottom of my post. well i'm going to close for now. I hope you dont flare to long remember heating or ice place on the bladder sometimes helps the pain and flares.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[vm]

Welcome! One of my main symptoms was frequency and the Elmiron in combination with some other meds has helped me feel nearly normal most of the time. :)

Read up here on the site and you'll learn about many treatments that are avaiable.

Hope to see you around! :hi:

[ICchell]

Hi and:hi: :welcome: Im sorry that you heve IC,you will find a lot of suupport here!:cat:

[Sarojini]

:hi: and :welcome:

I'm so glad you found us. Frequency is one of my big symptoms too... I understand about having to go pee every 5-10 minutes, believe me. For a long time that was my only symptom, and then I started having pain and pelvic discomfort too... I hope you have better luck and never get the pain :)

This is a great site, and you will find lots of support here!!

Sending hugs,
Jen
:cat: