IC Relief at Work...

**jameson77** · 01-09-2009, 07:38 AM

What do you guys do for IC relief while at work? Besides watching what i eat and drink, sitting on a doughnut cushion, taking Pyridium, and walking around ever so often, what else can i do to help with the urethral burning and low back pain?

I am in between doctors at the moment and will see Dr. Evans in Kernersville in about a month. Until then, I am pretty much on my own. Any ideas will be so greatly appreciated.

**nottoc4** · 01-09-2009, 09:34 AM

A teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water is always my ace in the hole. Helps me everytime. By the way,you can buy baking soda tablets at the CVS pharmacy...they keep them behind the counter so if you can't find them ask for them. Great to keep in my purse and for when I travel. I get relief within the hour,even before I can pee it out!

**KarenAnne** · 01-09-2009, 09:43 AM

Have you tried the heating "bags" from this website? They stick on your pants, are thin, & provide relief for hours. You can throw one in your purse & go, & activate it when you need it. Feel better soon.

**bluetou** · 01-09-2009, 09:48 AM

I find if I do deep relaxation breathing, and yoga it really helps. I know you may not have access to do yoga at work, but you can deep breath and relax. If you are at work you may be under stress and causing your ic symptoms to be worse....so if you can take a moment and (well I would meditate)...and when people hear this word they get freaked out, but all you have to do is allow yourself to disconnect to the noise and sound around you, close your eyes, focus on your breath, movement of the breath in the body, allow thoughts to be released outwards on each exhale,and just come to peace with your body.....releasing anxiety and stress on each exhale. REALLY focus on drawing in a long inhale, feeling the lungs fill.......and then a slow exhale release....feeling the release of tension let go....

IF you go on UTUBE, and do a search on relaxation ...here are a few links to check out on utube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j5Z4...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-KD...eature=related

Ok...that is what I would do...

Peace
Blue

**asIshallbe** · 01-09-2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by KarenAnne

Have you tried the heating "bags" from this website? They stick on your pants, are thin, & provide relief for hours. You can throw one in your purse & go, & activate it when you need it. Feel better soon.

I use the kind you can buy at Walgreeen's or CVS, etc...that strap around your body and noone can see them. Let me tell you, they are a Godsend!

**Briza** · 01-09-2009, 12:21 PM

I tend to respond better to cold therapy than heat therapy. Using a very cold can of soda placed between the legs or on pelvic/lower belly region also helps me a lot, and using a cold can of soda at work I have found I did not get many odd looks such as the odd looks I would if I had an Ice pack placed in those areas! Many people sit with a bottle of water or soda between the legs, as that particular place works well as a "cup holder" lol, whether one has IC or not! If working at a desk, then heating pad always good for the back, and if anyone were to every ask about it I just say it's cold here and this helps keep me warm. Hope this helps!

**TexasHoney** · 01-09-2009, 01:18 PM

My bladder responds better to ice than heat. I often use a frozen water bottle as substitute for an ice pack. Sitting on a pillow somtimes helps too.

**BT2008** · 01-09-2009, 08:38 PM

I wish I COULD work...

My pain gets so severe at various times of the day (with no predictable pattern that I can see) it is extremely difficult to concentrate! I am doing well to keep the household finances in order...and even then, I need to pick a time when the pain is not so bad.

But...it sounds like you have been given the only advice that I would give--if I could work!

Good luck, and I hope you can keep working as long as possible!
~Beth

**jameson77** · 01-10-2009, 05:46 PM

Thank you all for the recommendations...you can bet i will try them ALL! I can half way manage the pain when i am at home, but work, sitting at a desk for so many hours kills me everyday! A heating pad and Pyridium have become my best friends! I am anxiously anticipating my upcoming appointment with this IC Specialist, who has come highly recommended, and i will be so relieved (as will my wonderful hubby) once i see him! Thank you all for your encouragement and advice, as i am trying everything in my power, as well as being positive to get me through until this doctor's appointment!

XOXOXO

Meredith

**BT2008** · 01-10-2009, 07:11 PM

Good Luck....be sure to let us know what the doc says....

Take care,
~Beth

p.s. I have a wonderful hubby too....

**nottoc4** · 01-11-2009, 02:06 AM

Good luck hon and do let us know what the new Doc says.

***ICNDonna*** · 01-11-2009, 02:51 AM

I have two more suggestions. One is to take Tums when you have burning. I have high blood pressure so soda is out for me, but Tums do the same thing. Another thing I find helps is to be sure to sit straight, feet flat on the floor --- it helps take the pressure off the lower abdomen.

Donna

**jameson77** · 01-19-2009, 01:16 PM

Tums...i will definitely try that...anything i can add to my regimen to try is always great!!!

One more question...I had a laparoscopy on 12/12/08 checking for Endo which was negative. Should i have those records sent to my new urologist, Dr. Evans as well? All other records have been sent and i did indicate on my new patient form that i had the procedure. Thanks in advance!

**Krisandra83** · 01-19-2009, 01:22 PM

Tums work wonders... I would try those.. also, when I was working... the heating pad was my best friend.. people use to say stuff, and give me strange looks... but it worked very well.

good luck to you =)

**Briza** · 01-19-2009, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by jameson77

Tums...i will definitely try that...anything i can add to my regimen to try is always great!!!

One more question...I had a laparoscopy on 12/12/08 checking for Endo which was negative. Should i have those records sent to my new urologist, Dr. Evans as well? All other records have been sent and i did indicate on my new patient form that i had the procedure. Thanks in advance!

It seems to be common courtesy for any dr who requests records from another dr to do so for free. So if you would like this to be done, just tell the receptionist at Dr. E's office to call and request the records from ANY of your drs that you think might be relevant to be forwarded over. If you do so then Dr. E will have your file full of ALL you records in case you ever need Dr. E's file to be forwarded to another dr. That way you won't have to backtrack to any of your previous drs to request files be sent to any future dr who may need your file.

I think Lap results are relevant in this situation to include in Dr. E's file, since many of us with IC or related conditions DO have a lap performed to rule out any other causes for pain or other symptoms. And even just for the sake of convenience on your part...say you see a pain specialist (or any other type of dr) in the future that Dr. E refers you to... all that you will have to be done is forwarding files from Dr. E to that other dr, at no cost to you and much less hassle for everyone involved.
Hope I'm making sense!!