Living with IC Video Series
Videos designed especially for patients and family members on all things ICWatch Our Videos Today!
If you prefer to watch videos rather than read text, our Living With IC Video series will help. We discuss the IC subtypes, the AUA six steps of treatment, flares, diet, working with doctors and more. Learn more!
The Best Books
Our starter info kit covers all the basic information on diagnosis, treatments, flares, diet & more!We carry the best books!
We want to help you make more informed decisions about your diagnostic tests, treatment, diet and flare management tips. We offer the best books on IC/BPS, PFD, pelvic pain, diet & more! LEARN MORE!
Join the ICN
You may have suffered for years. You are absolutely not alone!ICN Memberships Help Others Too
We offer three memberships for patients who want to stay up to date with the latest IC news! Our quarterly magazine, the IC Optimist, brings the latest news right to your doorstep! LEARN MORE
Wellness Coaching
Helping you understand testing, treatments, flares, diet, pain care, intimacy, pain mgt & more!Need Personal Support?
The ICN offers wellness coaching to help you understand diagnostic tests, treatment options, flare management, diet, intimacy, workplace issues, pain management and more. LEARN MORE!
How the Interstitial Cystitis Network Can Help
Learn About IC/BPS
Newly diagnosed with IC/BPS? Using videos, text and apps, we’ll teach you how IC is diagnosed, symptoms, natural & conventional treatments, subtypes, the role of the pelvic floor muscles, how to prevent and manage flares, the IC diet, how to find an IC specialist, related conditions and more!
Get Support
The ICN has the oldest and most trusted on-line patient support community where millions of patients have asked questions, made friends and found hope. It’s entirely free. You’ll find discussions on diagnosis, treatments, flare management, pain control, success stories, pregnancy and much more!
Find A Specialist
If you’ve struggled to find medical care providers knowledgeable about IC, you are not alone. The ICN Find A Specialist Database lists urologists, urogynecologists, physical therapists and dietitians who work with IC and pelvic pain patients. Search by State, Town or Zip Code.
ICN Research
With devastating new research suggesting a connection between long-term pentosan (Elmiron) use and eye disease, we have developed a survey which asks patients about their IC, medication use and eye conditions. Please help us understand this more fully by participating.
Research & Clinical Trials
New Study Finds 25% of Long-Term Elmiron Users Showed Eye Damage
New study shows about a quarter of patients with significant exposure to the drug show signs of retinal damage (Editors Note: The American Academy of Ophthalmology shared the latest study showing that Elmiron, a medication [...]
Is Interstitial Cystitis The Result of Chronic Infection?
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or a grizzled IC veteran, you’ve probably seen more than just a few disagreements in the IC world. What treatment works? What’s the best diet? Do subtypes work? Flash back 20 [...]
Why You Should Consider Mirabegron Instead of Ditropan or Detrol – Anticholinergic Medications Often Prescribed To IC patients Linked to Dementia
For interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder patients struggling with intense urinary frequency and urgency, physicians often prescribe anticholinergic medications such as Amitryptiline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil) or Nortryptiline (Pamelor), Oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oytrol) or Tolteradine (Detrol). Unfortunately, [...]
New IC Study in Wisconsin Seeks Participants
Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin would like to recruit women who have been diagnosed with IC/BPS and/or MPP to participate in this study looking at the role of the Autonomic Nervous System in [...]
News & Feature Stories
10 Tips for Finding a Good Urologist
Maybe you’ve decided it’s time to break up with your current urologist. Or maybe you’re a new patient. Maybe your urologist recently retired, or you moved. Whatever the reason, looking for a new urologist can [...]
15 Signs You May Need to Break Up with Your Urologist
Finding a good urologist to treat your IC is important and can make a huge difference in your success rate. Sometimes, though, even a urologist who worked well for you at first may no longer [...]
Researchers Disagree on How Aging Impacts IC Symptoms
So many topics in the realm of IC are murky at best. The effect of aging on bladder symptoms is one of those topics. Some patients say getting older has made their symptoms worse. Others say [...]
September is IC Awareness Month!! We Need Your Help
(From Jill Osborne MA) September is the most important month for the IC movement. This is the time that we gather together, share our stories, educate our communities, seek out patients who are suffering in [...]
Next Generation DNA Urine Testing Can Identify Chronic Infection
ICN Support Opportunities
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Review the schedule & join the chats here!
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Testimonials
Thank you for being there for me during such a rough time in my life!!!
Your 1-800 number is priceless.
Keep helping people!
Not only do I want to thank you & your team for everything that you do but I wanted to thank you personally. You took the time to talk to me for over an hour. You brightened my day when I was feeling hopeless. It’s such a comfort to know you & the ICN are there for support.
I suffered with IC and PFD for about 8 years before I found a doctor who believed me and is treating me. Over those 8 years you and the IC Network were my life line and an amazing source of strength and hope and continue to be. Thank you so much for all you did and continue to do.
I firmly believe that the Interstitial Cystitis Network has educated me more than any doctor or nurse. At times I think I’ve intimidated my doctors by the knowledge I’ve gained from the site. Your site definitely empowers all of us who suffer with this horrible disease.
I honestly don’t know what I would have done without the ICN and you over 12 years ago when I finally found out what was wrong with me!! I think you are doing Gods work for so many!
The ICN videos are EXTREMELY helpful, if not LIFE CHANGING. Extremely smart, well researched information. EVERY urologist office should have a big flyer advertising this website. Thank you so much for what you do!!”
I really wanted to let you know how helpful the ICN website is. Having IC has been rough, but I have learned so much from your site (good tips, info, coping strategies). Way more than I ever learned from my uro! I know my symptoms have improved partly due to things I have learned from your site. Keep up the good work!
I watched a few of your videos on YouTube – on behalf of a friend who says he has suffered excruciating pain and discomfort for years. We’ve gained from your references. I just wanted to thank you for your such consummately sensible, humane help to so many others…. You are producing guidance that is clear, relevant, down-to-earth, useful and good-hearted.
I will never be able to thank you enough for getting me through so many horrible times. I go into remission for years at a time so I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. However, I’ve had a few flares in the past couple of months and I always know who to turn to in the middle of the night.Your site is better than a heating pad.
I don’t know how I would have made it thus far without all of you wonderful people. Just knowing I am not alone is the best relief I could have ever asked for. If I get scared, am hurting, or just need comfort, I know you are always there.
I’m SO excited about the information in your food app. I am encouraged now I can live a normal life and eat again.. Thank you for your website. – September 2015
I want to thank you for that day you gave me hope ….the day we spoke I had been in constant pain for so long and taking such strong pain meds I was ready to end my life. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t taken the time to guide me through the next step in my journey to find a solution to the suffering…
Fabulous, amazingly helpful website, I’m so grateful it exists. Thanks for all the hard work that went into it.
I believe that without you and the IC Network , I would have spent an incredibly miserable life in unrelenting pain. I am sending you a heartfelt thank you for all of your help.
I am a disabled Vietnam Veteran. My pelvic pain was miserable. Your article on PNE was heaven sent. It changed my life, that’s for sure.
You’re everything an advocate should be – kind, compassionate, patient, brilliant – and so much more. Thank you for helping my daughter navigate the dark waters of IC. We love you!
