Interstitial Cystitis

[carolee]

I am new to this disease having recently been diagnosed after several bouts of what were called UTI's and being given several different antibiotics.

I read several of the postings and, although I have had some bad pain and discomfort, it has not been anywhere near as severe as what some of the sufferers I read have gone through. My heart goes out to you and I will pray for all who are struggling with IC

In addition to various medications that the urologists have prescribed, I am trying to follow the eating choices I found on the Urology Channel website and use some of the naturopathic treatment suggestions. I've only been going through this for about 6 months and have been very frustrated, embarassed to have to explain it at work, and feeling down about it. I think I haven't had more than 3 pain-free days in a row lately, yet I know from my reading that I am blessed to have those.

I am willing to give up any and all food and beverages that further irritate this condition, and I trust that this is a step in the right direction. But I am amazed that something like this can have such a severe toll on the body.

Right now I am hopeful that I won't have to undergo all the procedures the urologist has outlined may be necessary, but I will have to take it one day at a time. I'm 64 and am amazed that I have this after all these years. There has to be some reason why some people develop IC and others don't.

I hold on to the fact that our Creator knows every cell in our bodies and He is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals us. My prayer for all of us who have this is that He give us His comfort and His healing touch, and give both the doctors and us wisdom to know how to best deal with IC

Carolee

[helpNeeded]

I haven't found a cause in all my internet searches. If they find the cause, would they find the cure?

I'm sure the doctors will find a treatment that works for you. It sounds like you're in capable/competant hands. What more can one hope for?

I admire your optimism.

[carolee]

Thank you for your response. I found a Mayo Clinic website about IC which I thought was helpful, and it gave a few different ideas about what may be a cause. I don't remember the website address, but I just did an IC search and found it.

The urologist I'm seeing put me on one more antibiotic which he said may work, but I don't see any difference, and I told him I don't want to take any more antibiotics after this one. I'm taking probiotics and a couple of natural things I found at the health food store. My doctor isn't seeing me again until May. He then wants to do the cystoscopy with bladder distention before he can definitely give me a diagnosis of IC. I'm going to do it mainly because he said people sometimes get relief after the procedure.

I have found that even when I am not having the obvious irritating foods like citrus, anything with caffeine, chocolate, acidic fruit, etc., that foods cooked with spices, including steak and chicken from restaurants or the grocery store seem to cause a flare-up. When I stick to what I've found to be food that doesn't bother me, I feel better, but sometimes I just want to try something I used to be able to eat and then I'm usually sorry.

What I find frustrating is that this isn't something that I want to talk about when I need to take time off work to go to the doctor, and I don't think any woman in my family had it, because I'm pretty sure it would have been discussed. If after I have the test in May I have the official diagnosis of IC I think I will look for a local support group because I think it would be helpful to meet with others who have this.

In the meantime, this problem is causing me to eat healthier than I have most of my adult life, and that is one good thing.

I pray you will find the help and healing you need.

Blessings,

Carolee