Length of flares

[LKL]

I am sure that the length of flares for everyone varies, but when you were first diagnosed can anyone tell me the length and severity of their symptoms? I have just heard so many things, and am trying to develop a 'mindset' to deal with a timeline of getting this under control (4th day on Elmiron)

Appreciate any input.

Thanks

[marshmel]

LKL, keep in mind that everone's degree of ic is different some people have very mild ic and never have long periods of flares. I personally had long period of flares only periodicly when I was diag., but again we are all so different. I know this ic stuff is all scarey when you are first diag.,but we are all here for each other.

Marshmel

[Big Red]

Flares are different for all of us. Remeber to that alot of us including myself have more than one med. condition. Do everythang that you can especially the diet and hopefully your flares will be short and very little pain. Drinking water is also good even though it makes me pee more. Hope everything goes will with you.

[Braedley]

I have mild IC but my flares can last several days, depending...when I'm ovulating it's the worst, lasting a few days...the week before my period is a constant semi dull flare that can spike or go away on a whim but return later just as strong...it varies all the time!

following the diet and resting helps the most, but it's hard to do it as much as you require when you have to work full time

[LKL]

Thanks

Just got diagnosed about a week and a half ago....(I also had a hemorraghic cyst) but mine has been going for about 9 weeks now...My FMLA is up soon, and I am trying to figure out if this is normal for a diagnosis and new treatment, or what

Thanks

[kadi]

When I first got sick, it was 24/7 heavy pain & frequency for several months til I got on Elavil. Then I felt daily discomfort for a long time, with fequent spikes in symptoms. With each successful treatment I tried (there were some that made me worse, some that were useless), I've gotten better & better. Now I feel good most days & rarely feel bad for more than a day or two. And a bad day now is what a "good" day was like two years ago.

That's probably the most important thing to know, is that it is possible to be very very sick & still get better & have a good life.

[RobinD]

I have had IC for 5 years but was only diagnosed with it last Nov. Flares b/f diagnosis were always there with only a few days when I when would be pain free. But after being diagnosed in Nov and after watching my diet, taking Elimiron, and having bladder instills, I have been having fewer days with pain. Most days I feel pretty good. So if you watch what you eat and find some medicine that helps, hopefully you will have fewer flare-ups.

PS-You probably know this but be sure and take the Elimiron on an empty stomach. I didn't understand the importance of this and took it incorrectly for awhile. Since I have been taking it like prescribed, I have been feeling better.

Robin

[vocalsgsc]

Oh my! I have had IC since 1996 at least diagnosied.l But this tim eI have been in a flare since Jan. A week ago last Thursday I had a hydrodystention, cystopoy and RMSO proceedure and I have been in so much pain since. Nothing seems to work. I called the doctor for a casll in of pain meds and he wouldn't cause they can be addictive. I just want the pain to be relieved. At this point I don't care if I become addicted to anythign...okay I do, but I hope you know what I mean. I am scheduled to go see the doctor on Wensdday. My husband and I thought about asking for muscle relaxers. Has anyone used these in the treatment of IC?

[marshmel]

vocal, I've used a musle relaxer called oxybutynin (ditropan ) it's for bladder spasms and can help calm the bladder down when having a flare.
I think we all have flares that can last a day or months, but we all look for what can help us indivially what helps one might not help another we just keep our heads up and keep trying. Here's to no more flares.:woohoo:

Marshmel