poetgirl
05-04-2004, 05:52 AM
I went to a new urologist yesterday (actually he was one I had seen several years ago and really liked, but then my insurance stopped covering him -- now my insurance does.) It's been a year since my IC diagnosis and I knew I needed to go in for follow-up to get my prescriptions renewed, but didn't want to return to my former urologist because his idea of doing a clean catch urine specimen is by catheterization! :yikes: I can barely handle a pediatric catheter because of my stricture, and I end up bleeding and in pain for days after catheterization, so that clearly was not an option for me, especially now that I've been in remission.
So I went to this urologist (don't know if we can mention by name) and we talked for a long time about my treatment options and so on, and I felt really good because he was very familiar with the disease and has a number of IC patients he treats. (Makes me sad to think of so many people with this disease. It's bad enough that I have it! How many others pass by me every day and I have no idea they're like me?) :(
When I left, the nurse gave me a bag filled with all sorts of IC-related pamphlets (including a fold-up food guide!) and a box from the makers of Elmiron that has more information on IC and Elmiron (including a CD-ROM with patient stories.) I feel like an expert now after all I've been through and have had to learn on my own, but I sure wish I had had that a year ago! :rolleyes:
That IC information packet should be in EVERY urologist's office. I was so impressed at how prepared my urologist was for managing care for IC patients and it made me feel confident that I will receive appropriate care and understanding should my condition get worse over time. :thumbsup:
So I went to this urologist (don't know if we can mention by name) and we talked for a long time about my treatment options and so on, and I felt really good because he was very familiar with the disease and has a number of IC patients he treats. (Makes me sad to think of so many people with this disease. It's bad enough that I have it! How many others pass by me every day and I have no idea they're like me?) :(
When I left, the nurse gave me a bag filled with all sorts of IC-related pamphlets (including a fold-up food guide!) and a box from the makers of Elmiron that has more information on IC and Elmiron (including a CD-ROM with patient stories.) I feel like an expert now after all I've been through and have had to learn on my own, but I sure wish I had had that a year ago! :rolleyes:
That IC information packet should be in EVERY urologist's office. I was so impressed at how prepared my urologist was for managing care for IC patients and it made me feel confident that I will receive appropriate care and understanding should my condition get worse over time. :thumbsup: