Interstitial Cystitis

[alyssa]

This is the first time I've been able to find a place to talk about my IC I'm 18 and was diagnosed last June, however my symptoms began in Nov of 2006. I've been placed on elmiron, detrol LA, amytriptalyne, birth control probiotics, and azo tablets. I had a bladder distol done in June when I was diagnosed, and had an improvement in symptoms for about three months. However, when I started college in August my symptoms started to come back, and now I'm struggling to get to school and I can't work. I've also fallen to depression. I have a DMSO treatment scheduled to start soon, but I would like to know if there are any other treatments to try. This has become a very frustrating time in my life.

[sadone]

Hello,
I understand exactly how you feel.
I am alot older than you and have kids your age. It is so sad that you feel the same pain that I do.
I am on elmiron, vesicare and wellbutrin for depression.
Right now I am on a leave of absence from work because I could not maintain my stressful management position. I am at home dealing with this pain and the changes it has caused me and my family.
I will see a new urologist in February and I am hoping that she will have some options for me.
I was diagnosed this June after a cysto was done in hospital. From then everything went south for me.
I went from being a high achiever, superwoman and mom to being practically disabled. Never felt like this before in my life.
I am learning to accept this disease and hopefully there has to be a reason for this happening...perhaps a life change and a chance to figure out what my purpose is.
I am looking at this time off as an opportunity to find myself. I know this sounds crazy but I am trying to make the best of it for the sake of my husband and three kids.
I know for a fact that stress causes a flare up. When I get all hot and bothered about something I can feel my bladder reacting. Keep this in mind when everyday life becomes stressful.
Good luck and hang in there. This is a good website and I do find it comforting to share my feelings with others just like you.
Bye for now.
Sad One

[chiyaki-chan]

This all sounds very similar to what happened to me.... I'm 27 but I have been free of urine problems for a while now since I started using Waterfall D-Mannose. It's a natural remedy that get the bacteria to latch onto it as it passes through your body and then you simply pee it out when you get the urge. The bacteria usualy latch onto the mannose that appears in your body naturally, so this works by providing a ritcher supply of mannose that litterally fools the bacteria into thinking it's found a nice new home... But we know what lies ahead for it... Point us :P I think you should try it, I don't see that you have anything to loose.

Lots of love and wishes of wellness,

Chiyaki x.