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"Don't Give Up ... I'm Not!"
By Eva (Submitted July, 2005)
I was diagnosed with IC about 4 years ago. Looking back I feel like I actually had it way before then. I was fortunate enough that after my hystorectomy, my gynocologist figured out what was going on with me. I was constantly having UTI symptoms.
Anyway he sent me to a urologist that was awful. I was terribly dissatisfied with the uro's treatment and insensitivity. My family doctor recommended someone else. I was so surprised that this new URo was so compassionate. I tried several different treatments including DMSO. They worked for a while. (In the mean time I was diagnosed with IBS. I also have panic anxiety disorder and have recently begun to suffer from depression.)
Anyway the treatments stopped working. My doctor suggested an Interstim Device because nothing else was working. I agreed and had it implanted. I had it for 2 years! I felt normal again. Except for a little twinge here and there I felt great. My energy level went back up and it even seemed to help with my IBS symptoms to a certain degree.
Then in January of this year, I accidently hit my implant hard enough to knock it out of place. They were able to reprogram it, but I developed a staph infection due to the tissue damage. I had to have my implant removed. It has been 3 weeks now. I feel terrible. All of my symptoms have returned with a vengence! My only hope right now is when the staph infection clears up, they may be able to put in another implant on the opposite side. I hope and pray they can. I am not ready to give up yet.
For those of you recently diagnosed, chin up! I know it's hard but, there are so many options to try. Don't give up, I'm not!
Eva