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.
What’s Your Subtype?
Not all IC patients are the same. In fact, they can be very different. Some may have Hunner’s lesions or a bladder wall injury, while others may have pelvic floor muscle dysfunction or pudendal neuralgia. It can also be inherited! Your first step is to look at the IC subtypes to find the best treatments!
Concerned About Your Health Care
Patients are deeply worried about health care coverage changes. We must speak out!We must speak out now!
If you’re worried about your health care under Trump, you are not alone. Anxiety is growing as cuts to Medicaid and other services are proposed. IC & Health Care Activists are needed more than ever! LEARN MORE!
Elmiron No Longer Covered?
The only FDA approved medication for IC has been dropped off of several insurance drug plans. Many patients simply can't afford it.Prices Have Skyrocketed
Don’t be ashamed if you can no longer afford some IC treatments. Learn about:
- Drug Assistance Programs
- OTC Supplements Are Available
- Ten Money Saving Tips
Struggling with Pain?
AUA Guidelines for IC/BPS state that pain management should be an integral part of treatment.IC Pain Is Real & Treatable
Research studies have proven that IC pain is similar to cancer and should be treated promptly. Your goal should also be to treat the source of the pain, be it the bladder wall, muscles, nerves, bowel or nerves. LEARN MORE!
Research & Clinical Trials
Key IC & Pelvic Pain Studies From The MAPP Research Network in 2017 – Time to get your nerd on!
A decade into the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network and the research is still going strong. In 2017, the MAPP Network published 12 articles of its findings in [...]
The 2017 IC/BPS Physical Therapist of the Year is Nicole Cozean PT, DPT, WCS, CSCS
When Nicole Cozean released her book "The Interstitial Cystitis Solution" in 2016, we knew that she was dedicated to the treatment of not only IC but also pelvic pain. She is one of the few [...]
The Votes Are In! The 2017 IC/BPS Doctor Of The Year is Dr. Robert Evans MD (Wake Forest University)
Every year during the September IC Awareness Month Campaign, we ask IC patients to nominate clinicians (doctors, physical therapists, nurses) who have treated them with compassion, respect and effective treatments. Nominations are often incredibly heartfelt [...]
News & Feature Stories
Winter Spring 2018 IC Optimist – Expanded Edition
The Winter/Spring 2018 IC Optimist, the magazine for our ICN members, is a special expanded issue which covers a very delicate topic: intimacy, sexuality and interstitial cystitis. Also in this issue: (1) Editorial: Why The [...]
Manuka Honey & The Bladder
Research Studies Explore Manuka Honey's Potential For Treating UTI and IC Honey offers a natural sweetener for food as well other popular uses like soothing sore throats, coughs and burns. However, recent studies out of [...]
Why The IC Network Walked Away From Facebook
A few weeks ago I followed my heart and deactivated the IC Network Facebook page. It's still there just hidden until I feel that Facebook has become a safe, supportive environment again. The straw that [...]
Diet and Nutrition Tips
EWG Finds Alarming Levels of Pesticides In Pears, Apples and Potatoes
Everyone should eat more fruits and vegetables but when you have IC this can be challenging. Thankfully, the produce aisle is usually our friend. The vast majority of vegetables are IC friendly with the exception [...]
New IC Diet Survey Released – What foods do you turn to when you are struggling with an IC flare?
It's time for an update of our IC Food Lists and to do it well we're asking for your feedback. We've long collected information on foods, beverages and activities that can flare IC symptoms. This [...]
IC Patients & Vitamin C Can Get Along
All too often when IC patients hear about food that is high in vitamin C, we go running far away from it in fear of it irritating our bladders. I’ve had dreams of eating citrus [...]
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September is IC Awareness Month
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.
