We are delighted to announce that the Spring 2020 issue of the IC Optimist has now been released. ICN Members can download their electronic copies from their member page in the ICN Shop now! (You must log in to view your member page. If you've forgotten your password, simply click on the password reset link [...]
Four years ago, I had increased bladder pressure caused by vaginal vault prolapse. Because of my extensive pelvic history, my local gynecologist didn't want to treat it and sent me to a specialist in a big city an hour away. That specialist insisted I couldn't possibly be feeling pain or increased symptoms and referred me [...]
We are delighted to announce that Beaumont Urology, the top IC research center in the USA, has made available their Guided Imagery series for FREE to all patients in need. Studies have shown that their programs improve your ability to relax muscles, reduce pain and urinary symptoms. Every patient struggling with interstitial cystitis, prostatitis and/or [...]
When you are staying home because you don't feel well or need to be home otherwise, hanging out on the couch with Netflix can be tempting. While sometimes that's exactly what we need, if we are home for longer periods of time, we also need to make sure we are finding ways to stay active [...]
For a few years, professional athletes have been using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to help their injuries heal faster. Though research is debatable about whether PRP therapy is effective in faster healing, it seems at least promising. Some people are even using it to encourage hair growth. PRP therapy, though, might actually be beneficial to [...]
We are delighted to announce that the Winter 2020 issue of the IC Optimist has now been released. ICN Members can download their electronic copies from their member page in the ICN Shop now! (You must log in to view your member page. If you've forgotten your password, simply click on the password reset link [...]
Chances are by the time you get your diagnosis of IC, you have already seen a couple of doctors. Considering finding yet another doctor seems like too much, but sometimes you must. When I was 13, my local pediatrician sent me to a local urologist because I kept having UTI symptoms without an infection. The [...]
Breaking Through Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Holistic Approach to Relief is the most important book published on IC and pelvic pain in 50 years. Dr. Jerome Weiss, a urologist, pelvic pain and myofascial specialist who practiced in Northern California, devoted his career to unraveling the many potential causes for chronic bladder and pelvic pain. Dr. [...]
Kim Wayne’s 5-year-old son loves to ride his bicycle and wants to go on bike rides with his mom quite often. However, Wayne, who was diagnosed with IC in 2006, oftentimes has too much bladder pain to go on a bicycle ride with her son. So she’s found less physical activities for them to do [...]
When the symptoms of interstitial cystitis and prostatitis virtually mimic that of a bladder infection, it's only natural for patients and doctors to contemplate treating the urinary symptoms with an antibiotic. Go ahead! Admit it! You've probably raided your medicine cabinet in the middle of the night to take an antibiotic that you've saved. You [...]
