What Now????

[Mainemom]

I was diagnosed with IC about a year ago, I have been on the meds for a year and was self-cath myself but got an infection so they stopped that, but now I have the worst pain and they want to do DMSo's and I just can't afford it. I am so scared there isn't anything they acan do to help with the pain, I don't have an infection was check so now what do i do. Just deal well it is getting harder and harder. I am open to any suggestions, I am just feeling that i am going to be in pain the rest of my life and never feel better.
Any help would be appreciated.
THank yo ,
Kirsten. :yikes: :yikes:

[ICNDonna]

My first question has to be whether you are following an IC diet. If not, I think that would be a good first step for you. Are you drinking a lot of water? Do you have insurance? Most insurances will pay for DMSO instillations at least partially.

What medications are you taking?

There are many treatment options available for IC. Hopefully you'll find one that works very soon.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[kadi]

Just echoing what Donna said. DMSO treatments under my insurance plan were way way less expensive than almost anything else. ($14 a week was my share). If you don't have insurance, most doctors offices will work out a payment plan so it's not such a big hit all at once. Save all your copay receipts, cancelled checks, toll fees, parking fees, prescription copays, over-the-counter medicine recipts, mileage to/from doctor appts - if the total exceeds a certain percentage of your income, you can write it all off on your taxes.

It took awhile to find the right combination for me (am still working on it actually), but I'm a lot better than I was a year ago. For me, DMSO did help, along with Elavil, Ditropan, & birth control pills. Yoga also is helping (don't know why, but it is). There are lots & lots of meds that help IC patients and now they're finding more meds that might help but aren't currently listed for IC specifically (Tagamet, Gastrocrom for example). So don't worry that you'll run out of options, there are new ones appearing all the time.

Hoping you feel better soon...

[Mainemom]

I am following the diet and drinking water, i do have insurance, but they want me to 50 a week to have the DMSO treatment. I have to pay thirty dollars a week for the meds and then 20 a week for the office visit. I just don't have alot extra money, and not a place where i can afford to do this treatment. I am currently taking Elmiron 400 mg daily, atarax 2 mg, and elivil 2 mg. :yikes:
Thank you very much for your help
Kirsten

[kelly McC]

:grouphug: :grouphug:
Hope it works out for you and hope your feeling better soon,
Kelly