um HELP

**nunny2two** · 09-01-2004, 11:44 AM

OK I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS ... BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO GET AROUND THIS WEBSITE ...HOW DO I TALK TO PEOPLE AND GET SOME ANSWERS I NEED IM IN SO MUCH PAIN ALL THE TIME IS THIS NORMAL OR IS IT IN MY MIND ...HELP FROM MAINE PATTY

**Katrina** · 09-01-2004, 12:29 PM

Welcome to the ICN!!!
http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/
This link bring you to the basic start for all things about IC for the patient. Start there!

Feel free to bring more questions here or directly to me....we will do whatever we can for you.
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.
Pain is normal for IC....many people have that symptom and talk to your doctor about pain meds. This is not all in your mind.....this is real and treatable....read about it and get the treatment you need.

Feel free to contact me if you need more help.

**ad8123** · 09-01-2004, 12:51 PM

I am sorry you have IC but glad you found this place, it is great I have had so much support here and so much encouragement. I have had a little remission (cool!) so never lose hope that you may find one too. A lot of us are in pain everyday- I am now and was before but there is so much that can be done so do not give up and keep trying till you find a great MD. Welcome again feel free to Im, private message or email whenever you want to I am always willing to help a fellow IC'er. I hope you can find the info you need here.

**crystilclear** · 09-13-2004, 07:43 AM

Sorry you have IC. Are you taking anything for it or seen a urologist that can help you with some pain relief stratagies? I take prelief (which helps with the acidity in food), and there are lots of other meds that have been helpful. Some people use Elivil at night for pain or to help them sleep, Elmiron that helps to coat the bladder, and other things. Everyone may react differently and some things work better for others. It may take a little bit to figure out what is best for you. That is why it is important to find a good doc that will work with you during this time. I hope you will get the answers you need. Take care - Chris

**nogoodimvoid** · 09-13-2004, 09:01 AM

Well if anything just post right here and you should get some help... and you can always talk to any of the memebers im sure they are all willing to help you

**Kimbamor** · 09-13-2004, 10:13 AM

Remember...Pain is now considered the 5th vital sign. You have every to pain relief. I know there are a lot of doctors that are uncomfortable with perscribing narcotics over long term use or even just high enough doses to actually do something about the pain. As someone who advocates on a daily basis for patient's pain control, it makes me furious when I here how poorly some of us are controlled. Even if the pain IS all in one's head (which in IC's case is very real) it is a moot point. PAIN IS WHAT A PATIENT SAYS IT IS!!!! The pain cycle itself perpetuates problems. Pain....decreased ability to cope...decreased sleep...less endorphines produced (happy brain chemicals ) ....less ability to cope less sleep....and so on. If the cycle isn't broken you end up with more problems then just your original pain. If your doctor is giving you a problem about adequate pain relief then you need to go to another doctor. If that is a problem then there are always patient ombudsman’s (some even work for your insurance companies.) They are experts at tactfully encouraging your doctor (without him getting offended and it effecting his care for you.) to perscribe better pain relief methods or even get you a refferal to a pain clinic. In some of the cases, where the docs are problems to the point of negligence you may even have to take it to a higher power. AMA takes lack of pain control very seriously and will support you rather then have litigation for negligence become a threat. Of course the last couple of options are usually left to last (rather drastic). Sometimes it is just a doctors lack of knowledge that hinders a doc. Supplying him/her with some of the information from this site might be enough to help.
I really hope that you are able to find some form of relief....there are tons of alternative methods for helping to decrease pain as well meds. Of course this board fulfills one of the basic statagies to fighting pain....information. Let me know if there is anyway I can help...