Have you taken Elmiron and are worried about your eyesight? Are you showing changes in your vision? Have you been diagnosed with Pigmentary Maculopathy? More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed to date on behalf of patients who were harmed through their use of Elmiron®. This special event is designed to help you understand [...]
"IC's Related Conditions" series takes a look at conditions that can go hand-in-hand with IC. Not all patients have all of these conditions, but IC patients are more prone to be diagnosed with these conditions than the general population. (As always, this is not intended as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Any [...]
Imagine being 18 years old. You experience sudden, sharp pain in your abdomen for two weeks. It feels like glass shards. You start seeing blood in your urine and are struggling with frequency, urgency and pain. This has never happened before. You've never been sexually active. You go to the emergency room and are diagnosed [...]
Figuring out what to drink with IC can be pretty difficult and frustrating. Summertime can be especially tricky when you're hot and craving something besides cold water. While you should stick to your most bladder friendly beverages during flares, you don't have to always deprive yourself. Check out these IC friendly cold drinks for hot [...]
While the chronic pain of IC can be difficult to deal with physically, its impact doesn't stop with physical pain. During flares, especially, we can find ourselves crying more easily, angry, depressed, anxious or any mix of emotions. I remember once getting choked up at the grocery store when I realized the store was out [...]
This Spring, four federal lawsuits were filed on behalf of IC patients who are struggling with pigmentary maculopathy, a new retinal disease associated with the long-term use of Elmiron. Each case alleges that Janssen Pharmaceuticals, part of the Johnson & Johnson umbrella of companies, failed to provide adequate warnings to patients and the medical community [...]
Going on long car rides can be troublesome for IC patients. Many patients report that being in the car for a long time causes their symptoms to flare. However, keeping a few tips and tricks up your sleeve can help make long car rides a bit easier. The last thing any ICer wants is to [...]
As I write this, the funeral for George Floyd is happening in Minneapolis. His murder is the touchstone and rallying cry for thousands (if not millions) to defeat systemic racism around the world. I didn't choose to be white just like George Floyd didn't choose to be black. Every single day, black men and women face [...]
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 [...]
