Firefighter with IC

[Tim]

Hi all, I'm new to the board. I am about to embark on a new career as a firefighter, and will be out on long emergency calls and fires. When someone else's life is at stake, there's no room for the rescuers to be running off to a bathroom, that is if they can find one.

I've had frequency problems since I was born, and this new career and it's requirements prompted me to see a urologist and get my problem fixed. I was diagnosed with IC yesterday and have begun a treatment of Elmiron and started using Prelief, which seems to be working some.

I know it's a longshot, but are there any firefighters on the board with IC or bladder related issues? How about another occupation which requires lengthy times without a bathroom. How do you cope?

Any help would be appreciated. I really don't want my bladder to keep me from persuing my dream of being a firefighter.

Thanks,
Tim

[tigger_gal]

hi tim welcome to our family, you will find a wealth of info withing this site. I cannot answer your question, but, i hope you find your answer :)
brat

[vm]

I'm not in an occupation like that, but... The pro female golfer who has IC might have some insight. I don't know how available she is or if she has written articles that might address that, but she would be out quite awhile on the course. Terry Jo Mayer? Is that her name?

[auntiedeb]

Hi Tim and welcome to the boards. I am a cashier but I am accessible to the bathrooms when I have to go, if I can't get off the register, I put my light on and one my supervisors will cover for me while I am in the ladies room. I don't know about firefighters though. Let us know how you are doing.

[lisa35]

Hi Tim,

I understand how you feel. I always wanted to be a flight attendent. I had a daughter very young but thought that I could still pursue my dream of traveling after she was grown. She graduates from High School next year. My frequency is such that I will never be able to pursue any type of career that keeps me from a restroom for longer than an hour. However, there are several medications available for frequency: Detrol, Ditropan and a new patch that is supposed to have less side effects. Please don't give up on your dream. Talk to your Doctor about possible medications and do your own research.


I wish you the very best. Keep us posted.

Lisa

[Tim]

Thanks for the warm welcomes. All you ladies seem so nice!

I talked to my dad today (who is a firefighter but doesn't have any bladder problems). I asked him the question about having to go when you're on a call. He told me that on more than one occasion, he's had to pee right in his turnouts and let it flow into his boots. I guess when you've got a firehose in your hands it's not too difficult to clean up the problem.

Just thought you might find that funny.

[auntiedeb]

scream scream grouphug grouphug You are welcome and when you gotta go, you gotta go . LOL.

One day we were at my neices birthday party, my nephew richie who is 4 had to go the bathroom, he got out of the pool and went near a tree. LOL. I said he went near the tree? they all looked atme and said yes. I guess when y ou are younger you can do that. I thought you might like this one too. :) Keep usposted tim on how you are doing.

[dyno]

Tim,
Wanted to add my welcome. You should read the guest transcripts on this site about Elmiron. Some urologists also use Hydroxyzine with it. It is a common combination. Anyway I hope you can find something that will work for you and if all else fails I guess your dad had an answer that might work in a pinch.

Jolene

[Jo]

Tim, I think the firehose solution is a great idea! Wish the rest of us could get away with that at times! Welcome to our boards! Jo

[Sandra m333]

HI Tim I just wanted to welcome u and wish u the best! Im sure u will find a way to cope with the IC and be very sucessful at what u do!U are in my thoughts and preyers! Love Sandra! grouphug kissing

[ICNDonna]

My husband was fire chief of a volunteer fire department for many years and I can certainly smile at your father's comment --- I've heard things like that before.

Most people with IC do find treatment options that work very well --- it just may take a little time. In the meantime, while you wait for the meds to work --- take care that your boots don't overflow. Thanks for the smile :)

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[Dixiefireball]

hi tim,
and welcome to the ic family I liked that comment i thought it was very funny scream you can make it work. don't give up on your dream. You have to control the IC not let it control you I know that is easyers said then done. cussing but i belive if we want something bad enough we can make our dreams come true. wink grouphug

[Ginny]

Hi Tim,
Maybe you should talk to your doctor about Detrol or Ditropan. Both work for frequency. It might make your job a little easier.

Ginny

[Tim]

Do Detrol or Ditropan work on IC? I thought they were for overactive bladder only.

Can anyone clarify? Thanks!

[ICNDonna]

The overactive bladder medications sometimes help people with IC. They do help relax the bladder muscles, which can be helpful for IC as well as overactive bladder.

It's not unusual for someone with IC to be taking one of the antispasmodics.

Donna

[Iris]

Hi Tim and welcome, the bit about your Dad and filling up his boots was funny, when you got to go, you've gotta go. Good luck with your firefighting job, I have a lot of respect for firefighters putting your lives in danger for us. Glad to have you here, the ladies are great, all the best Iris. hi hat

[Ginny]

Tim,
Yes, Ditropan and Detrol can help with the frequency that goes along with IC. Sometimes it's the frequency that sets up a pain cycle for me.
When I went to a new Urologist the first thing he did was put me on Detrol. I've had IC for 20 yrs. It helps with those spasms I get.
Ginny

[Tim]

Thanks for the information on Detrol and Ditropan. I had been under the impression they wouldn't help IC. I don't get the associated pain with IC (other than the "painful" having to go really bad), so the frequency was my first reason for seeking treatment.

I will talk to my doctor about getting on one of these two medications. In the meantime, I've been on Prelief for a few days now, and it's amazing! My bladder capacity has gone from 3 oz to 14 oz. Incredible!

Thanks to all for the input.

Tim

[Susan2]

Hi Tim,
I have been on Detrol and Ditropan and I had alot of trouble taking both of them. (stomach) so on the 14th my Uro put me on Oxytrol patch, it is the same as Ditropan only in a patch. Well... I could not believe how much that patch has helped me. I went from 35-40 times aday to 14-15 times aday and I know it will get better than that after I have been on it a little longer, I was ready to give up, when the patch was approved by the FDA. Ask your Uro about it. Welcome to the board.
I hope I have helped you some.
SUSAN

[khouse]

Oxytrol is Wonderful
Tim,
Susan is right, I have been on oxytrol for a month now and am down from 55 to 57 times a day to about 12. Isn't that amazing. Ask your URO and quick!

Kim

[Sandra m333]

HI Tim! Just a word of advise, The prelief can be very binding! Take care LUV Sandra! grouphug

[Tim]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. So far my biggest ally has been the Prelief. I've been using it for exactly one week today, and have made progress by leaps and bounds. Also, no negative side effects.

I told my parents, and now they've admitted having frequency problems too, so they're going to try Prelief. Too funny.

Tim

[peiti]

Tim:
Welcome to this board. I know it is hard to hold down a full time job when you have to deal with ic at the same time. I remebered my last full time job required a lot of meetings. I really hated going to the bathroom during a meeting because everyone knew you needed to go again. I would suggest you talk to your supervisor about your situation. You don't need to tell him the details. I hope IC doesn't stop you from pursuing your dream.