Renowned IC researcher Dr. Curtis Nickel (Queens University Kington ON) gave a groundbreaking lecture (AUA 202o Annual Meeting) on the importance of beneficial bacteria in the urinary tract and just how dangerous and disruptive antibiotic therapy can be. He said “You are your microbiome. While it might only weigh 3 to 4 pounds, your body [...]
Oh chocolate, my chocolate, how do I love thee? In my case, not at all. It might surprise you to learn that chocolate, especially milk chocolate, is known for triggering IC and IBS flares. Some have genuine allergies to chocolate, resulting in hives, nausea, a swollen tongue and even trouble breathing. Patients who are sensitive [...]
It is very clear that there is diversity in the IC patient population. Hunner’s lesion disease, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, pelvic floor dysfunction, pudendal neuralgia, central sensitization and chronic infection do not have the same anatomy nor treatments. But, with the exception of Dr. Christopher Payne’s five point system (1), there has been little discussion [...]
Platelet-rich plasma therapy uses a patients own blood cells and growth factors to improve and increase healing in the bladder. This treatment requires a blood sample from the patient which is then processed to separate the platelets from other components of blood. This solution is then injected into the bladder wall. The risk of side [...]
At the AUA 2021 meeting late last year, Dr. Curtis Nickel presented the latest research for a novel sublingual vaccine for the prevention of urinary tract infections in women. Uromune (MV140) is a simple, sublingual vaccine that could ease the suffering of millions of women. It is currently in the phase 3 development “pre-licensing” trials in [...]
The FALL issue of the IC Optimist, the magazine of the IC Network, is now available. It is currently available for download for all of our members and will be mailed shortly to those who requested printed copies! Members can now download them from their membership pages in the ICN Shop. Print issues will be [...]
We finally have explanation as to why the LiRIS drug delivery device was “deprioritized.” In September, the data for the final studies was released and showed that it was not successful in reducing IC symptoms, pain and, ideally, the quantity of lesions. LiRIS History LiRIS was a medical device developed by Taris Biomedical (now Johnson [...]
Support group leaders are often hidden heroes in the IC movement. Through their own struggles and suffering, these rare and special souls understand the importance of being there for those who share their journey. They understand that a simple conversation, an encouraging word and/or helping hand can change another life for the better. Cindy Sinclair [...]
The FDA announced today that Teligent Pharma has issued world wide recall of lidocaine topical solution 4% because they found, at 18 months, that it was far stronger than originally intended. There is a chance that this solution has been, or is currently being, used in bladder instillations. This "super potent" lidocaine would result in a [...]
Dr. Robert Evans of Wake Forest University contacted the ICN this weekend to ask if we could let people know about a groundbreaking new study that seeks to grow new bladder tissue using cutting edge bioengineering techniques. Yes, that means that they are growing new bladder tissue from a patients own cells. This is a [...]
