what's the next step usually/

[holles]

see the new uro tuesday at uant. what's the next step normally if diet and antispasmodics aren't helping at all? the diet was helping for several months, then in march, i started flaring like crazy, and it won't stop. i started elmiron, but have only been on it 2 months. i take 3-4 antispasmodics a day, prelief before i eat anything, and really watch what i eat.

anyone have any idea what the next step might be to control these flares?

i don't know what to expect because the last time i saw dr tchetgen (back in november), i was doing really well.

tia

[ICNDonna]

There are many treatment options --- it's impossible to know what your uro might suggest next. Have you read the information in the Patient Handbook on treatment? http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/

Donna

[dyno]

I agree with Donna, this is stuff you will have to discuss with your urologist. Let us know how you come out at the urologist office and whether you like them or not. I know my urologist works in that Arlington office of UANT a day pr two a week. I really like him. So I hope you and your new DR. can frind the right treatment that works for you.:)

[holles]

thanks so much for the replies. i looked at the ic-handbook and read about the instillations. sounds like what dr tchetgen wanted me to do last summer. but she made it sound a lot worse than what was described. we decided to wait on the instillations because we want to have a baby (she wanted me back on birth control for another few years). we told her we'd been trying for 7 or 8 years and just aren't ready to call it quits yet. i am hoping whatever dr niemczyk (think i spelled it correctly) suggests is "pregnant-friendly." we're trying for another few months or so. but i'm tired of putting my bladder on hold. kwim? i don't think i'm supposed to even be on elmiron, but i want to do something.

thanks again. i'm going to print out some of the stuff in that link, donna, so i can mull it over. it looks like there are some things that might work for me. i need something fast. i had a faculty meeting today, and the urge hit suddenly. i actually RAN to the RR and almost didn't make it.

i'll keep y'all updated with what he says. i don't know much about this new doc, but dr t's nurse said he's specializing in women's urology and IC.