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
Long-Term Pentosan (Elmiron) Use May Be Linked to Eye Disease
As a health publishing company dedicated to interstitial cystitis, it is our duty to share news which can impact you, the IC patient. Unfortunately, we must share some distressing news. If you have or are [...]
LiRIS device for Interstitial Cystitis & Hunner’s Lesions DEPRIORITIZED by Allergan
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Allergan has apparently abandoned work with LiRIS, the first treatment in history to heal the worst form of IC, Hunner's lesions, in some patients. Dr. [...]
Do Childhood Bladder Symptoms Predict IC as an Adult?
While many studies have been done around IC and its often companion condition, IBS, very few studies have been done looking at how childhood bladder symptoms predict or affect patients in adulthood. But, that is [...]
A Popular Allergy Medicine May Help IC Symptoms
Do you struggle with increased IC flares and bladder symptoms during allergy season? Antihistamines are listed as Step Two treatment options in the AUA guidelines for IC/BPS. Why? Because the bladder wall contains the same [...]
News & Feature Stories
Special double issue of the IC Optimist is now available – Keeping you strong, informed and empowered about IC/BPS
The Late Spring/Early Summer 2019 Issue of the IC Optimist is jam packed with the latest information, news, research results and summer tips for patients living with interstitial cystitis and pelvic pain. In this issue, we [...]
10 Ways to Stop Catastrophizing in its Tracks — And Why it’s Important for Your IC Pain Management
Though IC is a chronic condition that never goes away, it can ebb and flow sometimes. Symptoms can be better some days and awful on other days. I have gone for months at a time [...]
10 Ways to Survive Summer Cookout Season on the IC Diet
As we move forward into the full-swing of summer, cookout season is at its peak. While having friends and family over for a cookout or attending one you’re invited to can be fun, it can [...]
New Cystoprotek® Cancer Warning
Our last order of CystoProtek® came with an unwelcome surprise, a new cancer warning on the bottle. Required by Proposition 65, a California based law that requires that any product or ingredient associated with cancer [...]
Next Generation DNA Urine Testing Can Identify Chronic Infection
ICN Support Opportunities
Live IC Support Chats on Facebook & YouTube
1st & 3rd Sundays 12:30PM Pacific Standard Time
Review the schedule & join the chats here!
Join 50,000 patients in the ICN Patient Support Forum
24/7 Support Moderated by Support Group Leaders
Click here to enter our forum!
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!
