Newly Diagnosed and Feel Lucky

[champagne]

I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago. After reading many of the other forumites problems with diagnosis I feel extremely lucky. I started going to the my OB/GYN 2 months ago for extreme lower back pain and pelvic pain. Of course, they thought it may be a female issue but after 2 vaginal ultrasounds and another test I cannot pronounce, they found nothing. I had never heard of IC before but suggested that it had to be something with my bladder (maybe overactive bladder) because peed a lot during the day and even more at night. The next week they scheduled the PST and the nurse practitioner that performed it said I was the fasted she ever had that reacted to it. I wouldn't want to do it again because it took about 15 minutes before that pain subsided after filling the catheter with plain water to flush it out.

I was put on Elmiron and went back 3 weeks later to find out if there was something else I could do so that I could get some sleep at night. Getting up 6 times a night does not let you fall into a deep sleep and I was becoming a real pain in the neck at work. So she also prescribed Elavil and Vesicare and that has helped a lot. Right now I am down to 2-3 times a night.

I am also lucky that I do not have much pain associated with IC except on the rare occasion. The pain is worse during my period but no worse than severe cramps. I also don't have pain during sex.

My fiance is very understanding and I guess I never thought twice about it. I found out what it was and just moved on from there.

I wish the best for everyone with this illness and I want to thank everyone for providing information on this disease.

[duana]

what are your most bothersome symptom?mine is frequency.

good luck to you.

duana

[champagne]

what are your most bothersome symptom?mine is frequency.

good luck to you.

duana

Mine is frequency as well. The pain is only bad once in a while and I have no burning or pain while urinating just the frequency which is ok during the day but really bothers me having to get up several times a night. I am tired all the time.

[ICNDonna]

I was also very fortunate in getting a diagnosis within six months of onset --- and that was back in 1975 when very few people were being diagnosed.

Donna

[mary124]

Sorry you were dx with IC.
Donna, you were lucky at that time when you were told within 6 months of what you have. I on the other hand it took 5 years and a handful of doctors (of course, I didn't go to the doctors continiously(?) but it was enough to do all sorts of tests & procedures on me; (this was in 1992- and the one doctor that did tell us that I probably had IC wasn't my doctor it was another one in the practice that specialized in IC (he is now retired) but even then he told me that he was shocked to hear this even though thru the hydro/cysto confirmed this but he said I was "too young" at the time I was 32 years old. Now I see that young people are dx with it even in their late teens.

[duana]

Champagne,I just wanted to say,that I hope you do very well with your meds.and "hats off"to you for accepting everything so well and being so strong!!!!!!:woohoo:You are truly an inspiration to others!!!:angel:

Duana::smile tee