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robinrenee
08-02-2004, 12:32 PM
Hi all and thanks for a very helpful, informative website. I'm newly diagnosed and pardon the long thread but here is my story.

On June 7th, I went to work as usual and felt fine. Well about 7 hours into my 8 work day I began having abdominal pains (sharp and stabbing like). I left my place of employment and after a LONG 12 minute ride home, I could hardly stand the pain. Not having an explanation or any prior symptoms, I tried to lay down and rest to no avail. Then I tried a hot water shower/bath, which also didn't help. Finally, about and hour and a half after the pain started and I couldn't bear it anymore, I was taken to the ER. After a CTScan, ultrasound, surgical consult, numerous blood tests, a urinalasis, and 3 days of observation; my ob/gyn was finally called in. In a matter of minutes, he diagnosed me with endometriosis and told me I was in need of a laproscopy.

Well, being a single mother of 2 boys (12 and 7), and having no health insurance the focus became finding the money to have the surgery done. With the help of some very good friends, I was able to make it happen on June 28, after 21 days of excruciating pain. While performing the laproscopy my gyn noticed something strange about my bladder and also performed a cystoscopy. And as the story goes, I was also diagnosed with moderate IC. I was immediately put on Elmiron, Seasonale, and Percocet. I didn't notice any frequency or urgency until I was diagnosed and he told me that getting up 2-3 times a night at my age (32), is very unusual. Who woulda guessed???

Anyway, here I am now amongst people who can relate and I'm truly glad I found this site. I have been trying to read everything I can to know what to expect, what can help, what to avoid etc. I'm still having some pretty serious pain that worsen with ovulation but at least I'm on a pill now that limits my periods to 4 times a year, which he said will help. If anyone has been diagnosed with both endo. and IC please share your experiences with me....it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening and sorry this was sooooo long.

Sarojini
08-02-2004, 01:47 PM
:welcome: to the IC Network. I'm so glad you found us... :) I'm sorry you have IC, but since you do, this is one of the BEST places to come for info and support.

I don't have endometriosis, but I definitely have IC, so I can sympathize with at least some of your pain. There are a lot of ladies on here who have both, so hopefully they will respond to your post too.

Best of luck with your treatments and again, welcome!! :)

Katrina
08-02-2004, 02:19 PM
:welcome::welcome::welcome::welcome:
Welcome to the family! I have endo and IC....let me know if you want to talk.
I think we chatted in the chat room. It must be hard to have such a sudden burst of problems....I will help you anyway I can.

theclownster
08-02-2004, 03:05 PM
I'm sorry to hear that you have IC. It can be challenging and a little overwhelming at times. I also wanted to add my warm welcome to the ICN. It's a great place where you can be supported all the time.

Warm encouraging hugs~
Jennifer

Dixiefireball
08-02-2004, 03:14 PM
it was very nice to meet you tonight in chat we was glad to have you with us.
I'm also glad you found this website we will find we all understand and care very much about each other here so anything you need please let us know we are here to support you or at least try.
also please check out www.ic-network.com/handbook you will find that site very helpful too.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

heiwalove
08-02-2004, 04:25 PM
welcome to the boards! :hi: so sorry you have IC but you've come to the right place.
and endo too, huh? as if IC isn't enough! a quick question for you: i didn't know endo could show up so suddenly like that? had you had problems with your cycle/pain before this?
i hope you feel better real soon!
blessings,
heather
.

vm
08-02-2004, 04:29 PM
Welcome!!!! :welcome: I think you will find lots of support and great information here! Hope to see you around. :)

robinrenee
08-02-2004, 04:37 PM
In the past I've had heavy periods and some slight pain, but the Dr. always said it was nothing to worry about. Well, the "nothing to worry about" pain I felt on June 7th was excruciating...and I supposed called for some further investigation on his part. Good and bad, I guess since now I've been diagnosed with both Endo and IC. He said, apparently the endo had been building up for quite some time as my organs were meshed together with it. Until that day, I had no serious symptoms of either condition.

Babs RN
08-02-2004, 06:04 PM
I have had endo and IC also. I had a hysterectomy in 2002 because it had progressed to Stage IV. Let me know if you need to talk.

Hugs and welcome to the gang.

Barb

KatyG
08-03-2004, 03:53 AM
Hi and Welcome to the IC boards. I'm new myself. I'm much older than you and had both endo and IC before they were "known." I had a complete hysterectomy because of the endo after years of suffering. The IC was just diagnosed last month although I knew I had it all the time due to my own research. I'm glad you found this site.

SharonA
08-03-2004, 04:34 AM
:hi: :welcome: ...I am very happy that you found your way to this site. I am very sad that you are suffering with both of these conditions. I hope you find the treatments that will enable you to live your life to the fullest. :)

crystilclear
08-05-2004, 09:30 AM
Hi I have been wondering for awhile now about whether or not I have endo or not? I have heavy periods and for the last couple months had a lot of pain off and on in the left side lower abdomen. My periods have beome more and more irregular. I have heavy bleeding then it will stop and start and last anywhere from 5-11 days. It's driving me nuts. When I have been at the gyno they want to blame all the pain on the IC. I have a new uro that I like and she wants me to get a laproscopy but my gyno is an old way of thinking. He says he would have seen it during the vaginal untrasound I had about 9 months ago. Anyways just wondering if you could give me any advice. He also says that since I have 3 kids that he doesn't suspect it because most people with endo are infertile. You said that you have kids too so that can't be the case. My IC has been improving but not the other symptoms. Any advice? And what were your symptoms if you don't mind me asking? Thanks and take care - Chris

robinrenee
08-05-2004, 10:00 AM
Chris, I never really thought I had any symptoms of either until I've been reading about them on websites such as this. I've had painful, crampy, long, heavy periods for quite awhile; but that was always blown off by old gyn as fairly common. I never really thought that waking 1-2x a night to use the restroom was a symptom until I was diagnosed with IC either. I had a c-section with my youngest (7) so apparently it developed after that and has multiplied since then, as my organs were bound by it. Do a search engine on endo. and you'll find several very useful and informative sites such as this and share with your gyn. all your symptoms. From what I understand laproscopy is the only TRUE way to be diagnosed with Endo. Hope I helped some... :)