Anyone near NW IN or Chicago?

[helpinghubby]

Hello, My wife has IC. She just finished her second installation of BCG treatments. Her Dr. try as he may, just doesn't comrehend the severity of her pain. She's on Elmiron, dirtropan xl, atarax, zoloft, neurontin, flexeril, and various pain pills. She's been extremely stressed and depressed. She feels all alone in her disease. So the reason for this post is to maybe find someone in the chicagoland area that she could talk to either on the phone with or maybe go out to lunch with. Thank You.

email---- Carnahans2@msn.com

[Katrina]

I will email you. I am 20 minutes south of Green Bay....not too close but am willing to email and talk on the phone after 9;)

This is a very hard disease. There are three links on the bottom of this post that can tell you about me. I hope I can help.

:kiss: :kiss:

[July]

Hi,
You deserve a big pat on the back! I was recently diagnosed with IC after symptoms started in 2000. I also have vulvodynia/vestibulitis (does your wife have this?). My fiance has been wonderful, taking me to all dr. appointments and learning more about female medical problems than he ever thought he would have need to. Thank God for men like you to be by our side. My fiance has felt powerless at times, but you men should not feel that way! Your support and comfort (just having you near) goes a long way in helping us feel better and giving us courage and strength to go on and pursue getting better! You are our best coaches! It is a lot for you to endure, too. God bless you!

I live in the Chicago area by the way. It sounds like your wife is pretty severe. Meds can cause sensitivities in IC patients, so you may want to explore this possibility. When I first started symptoms a few years back, I was in pretty bad shape. I could barely ride in a car or even walk for that matter. Over the last four years, the symptoms have waxed and waned. Take heart in knowing that your wife may improve as well with time. Here are some things I'd suggest to help her feel better outside of medicine/prescriptions: My faith in Jesus has grown by leaps and bounds and has helped so much. Go to His Word and read about His faithfulness and promises. Also prayer...never underestimate its power. Breathing and relaxation excercises are very good to do as well as guided relaxation/meditation (Dr. Weil has some CDS that are really good....I like his "8 meditiations to optimal health"...it has a meditation on healing (Track #2). Also, I found "Alpha Relaxation System" at Best Buy. It is good to listen to in the car, too. Check out the excellent items in the shop on this website. Acupressure and reflexology are helpful. Let me know how acupuncture works for her.
By the way, using these for yourself will also help you take care of yourself. My fiance develped high blood pressure from the stress of it. There are acupressure/reflexology points to help just with stress/anxiety in general. Of course, the breathing and relaxation would also be good for you! Take care of yourself!

Let me know if I can be of help. Feel free to email me. I'm contemplating moving to MN (my home state), but at the time I'm in your neck of the woods. I went to college in NW Indiana! Nice place!

Love,
July

[July]

Oh yeah, just a nice massage from you and plenty of hugs is a way you can help your wife immensely!

[Jen_Cole]

Rod-this is Jen. I tried calling your wife last week. I will try again tomorrow, but I know she has school. Is everything ok? She had posted messages here before but it's been awhile. I'm worried about her-I thought the BCG was helping her pain? I'll get in touch with her soon.

[CareBear]

Hi! I live in the NW Sububrs of Chicago. Maybe too far for lunch, but never to far for a phone call or email. I have been living with IC for over 10 years, yet only diagnosed 4 years ago. I would be honored to talk to your wife.

Send me a message.

Cari :)

[July]

Hi,
It is me from the western suburbs of Chicago. If my memory serves me right, I sent an email to you in response to a private message you sent me. I haven't heard back. Just checking up on your wife and you...hope you are doing better! I'm here for you! Contact me anytime.

July