New to IC

[work it]

I am so glad that I found this site. I had no idea that so many people suffer from IC. I was diagnosed about a month ago. My question/problem is my hubsand and I are trying to conceive another baby. I am not able to take pain medication because of this and 1x a week I go in to have the elmerion inserted through the cathader. Do any of you wonderful people have any ideas that my help me go through the day in less pain and also what I could do before intercourse to lessen the pain. I am glad that there is light at the end of the tunnel, just wish it didn't take so long to get there. I rarely feeling like moving because it hurts to walk. I used to excerise and now I don't even do that because of the pain. Family and friends just don't quite see where I am coming from so again it's nice to know that I can read others stories. :)

[Katrina]

:welcome: :welcome: Welcome to the ICN!!
http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7562 this link is a pain managment post. The second page has 4 attachments...the last one is a list of ideas for IC pain.....take a look if pain is problem for you.

On sex....stay completely still for 15 minutes before and after...use heat and cold alternating your pevic and lower abdlomen before and after....
http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/sex.html
http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/ Look at the handbook for all aspects of living with IC!

[blondiecat]

:hi: I just wanted to say Welcome to the boards. So glad that you found us but very sorry that you have IC. Good luck on having a new little one in your life. I hope that all goes well for you.
Katrina has given you some excellent advice and the Handbook is a life saver as I have found since I joined a little while ago myself. You will find a great deal of support and understanding here. Anywho Welcome:)

[Sarojini]

I'm sorry you have IC -- but you're right, there's a light at the end of the tunnel! :) Have you tried using heat to help the pain, either a heating pad or those ThermaCare patches you can buy at most drugstores? Also, things like Tums and Prelief can sometimes help with the pain, as they can reduce the acidity of your urine. Since they're just calcium compounds, they might be safe to take during pregnancy or when you're trying to conceive.

Katrina has put together an amazing list of pain relief methods... I'm sure she'll see your post and send it on to you!!

Good luck and i hope you find yourself expecting a little one soon :)

[enunez]

Support Group in Colorado.
My name is Esthela Nunez and I was diagnosed in Dec 03, after struggling for two years. I am starting a group in Greeley, CO please contact me at enunez47@yahoo.com, or 970-330-6385 if you are interested in being part of our group.

[work it]

Thank you all for the great advice. I will try the heat pad thing and can't wait to check out Katrina's sites.

[theclownster]

HI there! Welcome to the ICN. I'm sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. It can be hard. As far as sex goes - that's a tough one. Especially since we are all different too. I'm wondering if you might want to take a break from trying to conceive, so that you can get your pain under control. Once you're stabalized, you might be better at not taking meds and try to conceive then. I dunno - just a thought. What I've found is that now that I have a handle on my symptoms, know the diet, use prelief, etc. sex is more pleasurable for me. When I was trying to figure out what works for me and what doesn't it was really hard to enjoy it at all. Now that things are more settled it's easier. It looks like others have given some good suggestions that might also help. An additional thing that has been helpful for me is to take a hot shower right after sex and be sure to stay extra clean down there so there's less of a chance for infection. It can take from some of the intimacy, but it's been worth it. My hubby is supportive and sometimes he joins me for the shower which is nice too.

Please let us know how you are doing.
Take Care!
Jennifer

[~*~Christine~*~]

Hi, welcome to the board :hi: