What to do with me??

[M.C.]

I have seen 2 Urologists and the 2nd one has "written me off" or that's how I feel. He scribbled on his card, refer to gastroentrologist & told me to take it to my family Dr. Also said to go back & see him when I've seen "gastro" but it'll take you months. My Dr says no sense, because they can't do anything for me anyway! Another Dr now says I may have IBS, so take extra fiber & go back in 6 weeks. I'm on Elmiron & it seems to help, but depending on diet or if I get overtired, I have severe pain. How do I find someone who even cares enough to try to do something? :toilet: M.C.

[linctx94]

Dear M.C.
I know how you feel. I was very lucky to find a doctor that told me about my IC. I have stasis dermatitis and I have been trying to find out why and the doctors say there isn't a reason just to deal with it. It took me about 8 years and several doctors to find a doctor that told me what that was. Its a condition where my ankles swell and the blood vessels expand and its very uncomfortable. I can't be on my feet for very long. I hope and pray that you find a good caring doctor.
Linetta

[Katrina]

:welcome: :welcome: Welcome to the ICN! I am so sorry about what seems like unsensitive doctors. I don't know why they are treating you the way they are but I do know that diagnosing IC can be partly a process of ellimination.....still doctors should explain things to their patient. As far as finding a good doctor....have you checked our listing? http://www.ic-network.com/md/worlddoctorlistings.html

I also recommend this link for info on IC http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/


I am sorry for the length of a time a definate diagnosis takes.....I so wish that would change.....I so hope you feel better and get the help you need. If there is anything more I can do for you let me know.
I also recommend this link for info on IC for patients

[ICNDonna]

:welcome: to the IC Network. I'm sorry you are having so many problems and that you haven't yet been diagnosed.

There's research being done and hopefully within the next few years there will be a urine test that will either diagnose or rule out IC.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[Sarojini]

Hi M.C. -- I'm so sorry you've gone through so many problems with doctors and that you are not feeling well. Katrina gave you a good link. Check out the doctor listings there; maybe there is a good doc close to where you live so you can get another opinion. :grouphug: :grouphug:

[LJINSD]

Sorry you are having problems with your doctors. I had a lot of trouble with mine too. Don't give up. Keep trying until you find a doctor that cares.

[RedLione]

So sorry you have this added struggle on top of everything else! I honestly think that docs write you off because they don't know what to do, not because they don't believe you. Even when I go well prepared, I can tell when they're not listening. But you get a doc who wants to understand, they listen to everything you say, read articles you bring, etc. Keep going back and you'll run into one who wants to help.

[Dixiefireball]

:hi and :welcome: to the icn family i'm so sorry you are going threw so much i hope you find the answers you need soon
please check out www.ic-network.com/handbook it has some wonderful information there
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[M.C.]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. It's nice to know there's someone out there who has the same problems I seem to have. Went today and got Elavil so we're trying it now. This Dr just gives me what I ask for if I've already discovered something on the net, and his first question is always, 'worse, better or the same', but still maintains there's nothing that can be done for me except to try & manage the pain. I'm glad to be part of the IC network. Here's hoping I can get this under control soon as I'd like to be able to go back to work (while I still have a job). Thanks for being there for me.

[kelly McC]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:
Hope you find a treatment that works for you.. Just wanted to say hi and welcome,
Huggs,
Kelly

[Katrina]

Sounds like my doc.....does what I ask him to do....and asked worse better same....I am happy with the does what I ask him too since I want to keep trying.

Good luck with your job and feel free to ask us if you have any more questions or comments...or just need a friend.

:cat: :cat: :cat:

[VickiB]

Hi MC,

Sorry you're going through this problem in finding medical help. I've lost count of how many Doctors I've sat across from before finding the right one. From what I've read on this board, it's a pretty common problem!

My theory is it's like picking out a melon in the supermarket. It might say 'watermelon' on the bin, you can check the stem end, sniff it, thump it,..but you're not going to find out if you got a good melon until you put your money down!

Anyway, don't give up! There are good ones out there, but you may have to go through the bin 'til you find one.

Best of luck!

Vicki

[crystilclear]

I was in pain for years and my doctor told me it was depression, PMS, and evereything but IC and all the toher things I have wrong with me. I have psoraitic arthritis, fibromyalgia, GURD, PMS, Dysmorphia, Colitis, PTSS, IC, and didn't know until this year! Bad thing is if I would have caught some of this earlier I wouldn't be in the bad situation I'm in now. You need to see different doctors who want to help you. I know it seems like too much hassle sometimes, stressful, and just plain discouraging! But it took me going to 8 different doctors until I got a diagnosis. You shouldn't have to be in pain and have no help or reason for it. I'm sorry you were treated so indifferently. I would keep trying until you find a doctor who is willing to help you. I kept pushing and listened to some good advice from some more experienced Icer's here. They told me to keep on pushing and I would get a diagnosis when I found the right doc. I was skeptical because after being turned away so many times and treated like a head case well you get to the point where you don't want to put yourself through another pointless app. Hang in there though. I hope you will get the help you need soon. Take care - Chris :)