In a flare for a month...this is painful

[musiclover]

Hi everyone. I am really trying to not let IC bring me down too much. But I am getting really tired of being in a flare for this long. I am new to this game. Being in a flare makes it difficult to socialize, as I have to use the restroom about every 20 minutes or so. I have my first Uro appointment this coming wednesday. I am hoping he will do a distention so I can see if that will help. I'm dying here. You can see below what I am currently taking. I do have an RX for Nortriptyline, but I'm scared to take it as I have read it can cause anxiety symptoms, and I really don't need any of that. Plus, I would like to at least see if I can control this without prescription drugs. I also have been taking Azo or Uristat on and off. It scratches the surface of the pain, but not the frequency. Sometimes I take a tylenol, but not too often. I also use a heating pad or ice occassionally. This is just getting really tiring!




Meds and History

Female
Currently 32 Years old

7/15/08 - ibs pain began on/off
11/15/08 - more severe ibs-c symptoms began
11/20/08 - started on Digestive Advantage for IBS probiotic
11/20/08 - started on benefiber - 2 teaspoons 3 times a day
11/27/08 - IC symptoms began
12/10/08 - Colposcopy procedure to take biopsies of cervix
1/7/09 - LEEP Procedure to remove pre-cancerous cells from cervix
1/5/09 - Started on Heather Von Vorous' peppermint pills, acacia fiber
1/15/09 - Magnesium supplement
1/15/09 - started on IC Diet
1/20/09 - started Zyrtec nightly
1/20/09 - Started taking Prelief two pills, 2-3 times per day
1/25/09 - 1500mg of both Glucosamine/MSM per day
1/29/09 - Desert Harvest Aloe - about 6 - 8 caplets per day
1/31/09 - Decided to stop probiotic and see what happens
This coming Wednesday, Jan 4 - will have first Uro appointment. MD thinks I have IC, but going for confirmation with Uro.

[SharonA]

I am so sorry you are going through all of this. It is very difficult, but it can get better. I hope the doctor will help you. Be sure you take a list of questions you want to ask.

[snowgirl]

Hi everyone. I am really trying to not let IC bring me down too much. But I am getting really tired of being in a flare for this long. I am new to this game. Being in a flare makes it difficult to socialize, as I have to use the restroom about every 20 minutes or so. I have my first Uro appointment this coming wednesday. I am hoping he will do a distention so I can see if that will help. I'm dying here. You can see below what I am currently taking. I do have an RX for Nortriptyline, but I'm scared to take it as I have read it can cause anxiety symptoms, and I really don't need any of that. Plus, I would like to at least see if I can control this without prescription drugs. I also have been taking Azo or Uristat on and off. It scratches the surface of the pain, but not the frequency. Sometimes I take a tylenol, but not too often. I also use a heating pad or ice occassionally. This is just getting really tiring!




Meds and History

Female
Currently 32 Years old

7/15/08 - ibs pain began on/off
11/15/08 - more severe ibs-c symptoms began
11/20/08 - started on Digestive Advantage for IBS probiotic
11/20/08 - started on benefiber - 2 teaspoons 3 times a day
11/27/08 - IC symptoms began
12/10/08 - Colposcopy procedure to take biopsies of cervix
1/7/09 - LEEP Procedure to remove pre-cancerous cells from cervix
1/5/09 - Started on Heather Von Vorous' peppermint pills, acacia fiber
1/15/09 - Magnesium supplement
1/15/09 - started on IC Diet
1/20/09 - started Zyrtec nightly
1/20/09 - Started taking Prelief two pills, 2-3 times per day
1/25/09 - 1500mg of both Glucosamine/MSM per day
1/29/09 - Desert Harvest Aloe - about 6 - 8 caplets per day
1/31/09 - Decided to stop probiotic and see what happens
This coming Wednesday, Jan 4 - will have first Uro appointment. MD thinks I have IC, but going for confirmation with Uro.

personally Ihave tried every SSRI and anti depressant and mood stabilizer made on the market. I am sensitive. Either bladder retention or anxiety. I found it was the SSRI's that gave me anxiety not elavil or nortripylline. THe newer SSRI"S Lexapro, Celexa , Wellbutrin. Vn

[icnewlywed]

I'm so sorry to hear your having a difficult time. I have been in flare for months now and can sympathize with what your going through. We have a super bowl party to go to tomorrow and because I have been so sick lately I hope I can make it. One of the hardest aspects of IC is continuing a social life or any life for that matter away from home.

Best of luck!

[elamar]

Many times a "rescue instill" can help stop a flare. I too had been flaring for several months. My doctor did an instill of sensorcaine, chromolyn, and sodium bicarobonate. I usually don't so well with instills because they make my urethra spasm like crazy. When she put in the instill, it was like someone threw a bucket of water on a fire! It did do a great job of calming down my burning bladder sensation. I just have issues with spasming afterwards. I use utira-c before the instill and after and that does help. I still overall have to deal with the nagging sensation that I need to go. You might want to ask your doctor about a few weeks of instills to calm things down. Hope this helps.

[ICNDonna]

I couldn't help noticing that you started on a probiotic and benefiber about a week before your IC symptoms --- have you tried omitting those two items for a time to see if either is a problem. If I start more than one medication, I take one for a few days before starting the second --- that way I know if they are a problem.

I encourage you to at least try the Nortriptyline --- some find it helps a great deal.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna