Maybe you’ve decided it’s time to break up with your current urologist. Or maybe you’re a new patient. Maybe your urologist recently retired, or you moved. Whatever the reason, looking for a new urologist can seem daunting, especially trying to locate one who knows about IC/BPS. To begin with, you need to determine what kind [...]
Finding a good urologist to treat your IC is important and can make a huge difference in your success rate. Sometimes, though, even a urologist who worked well for you at first may no longer be a good fit. There are a few red flags that may mean you should consider moving on and finding [...]
So many topics in the realm of IC are murky at best. The effect of aging on bladder symptoms is one of those topics. Some patients say getting older has made their symptoms worse. Others say no. Doctors have similar discrepancies, yet, not many studies have examined how age affects IC symptoms. Survey finds worsening symptoms [...]
(From Jill Osborne MA) September is the most important month for the IC movement. This is the time that we gather together, share our stories, educate our communities, seek out patients who are suffering in silence and work, as a group, to raise awareness about IC/BPS. Each and every day, IC patients struggle to find [...]
Back in the early 1980s, video games were mostly being played by kids in arcades. Now, nearly 40 years later, that scene has changed. In fact, a recent study found that 67% of Americans play video games regularly – mostly on smartphones and tablets.(1) And that doesn’t even take into account games played outside of [...]
Back in 2016, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a guideline for primary care physicians treating patients 18 and older on how to prescribe and use opioid medications in response to the growing opioid addiction rates in the United States.(1) The CDC said the purpose of the guideline was to help primary care [...]
There are several supplements that IC patients have turned to in light of the new research that has linked Elmiron to eye disease, as well as the traditional antidepressants (Elavil, etc.) and bladder antimuscarinics (Detrol, Ditropan) to dementia and cognitive decline. Here is our supplement review as of Summer 2019. FOR BLADDER, GUT & BODY [...]
Being active with IC can seem nearly impossible. It’s hard to find motivation to get outdoors and do something when you don’t feel well, and you are worried about making your pain worse. But our bodies need activity and sunshine. (Hello, vitamin D!) Our families want to spend time with us doing summer activities. And [...]
It's a reality we all eventually face, the dreaded colonoscopy. This vital test is recommended after the age of 50 and can help detect early cancers in the GI tract. Despite its potential life saving effect, many patients go out of their way to avoid the test for a variety of reasons. For some, it's [...]
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 explore the role of infection in some IC patients. We happily announce the 2018 medical care providers of the year. [...]
