IC becoming more bothersome

[fivefoottwo]

Hello Everyone,
I surely cannot be the only one in the Northeast suffering from IC! I have no idea how it owwould be done but was sort of looking for an IC penpal that would be a share pal about the problems with this affliction. I am new to IC. I was only dx'd about April of 2011 after going through a battery of tests by my uro as well as exams by my gyn who basicaly told me it was all in my head. My uro was the one who dx'd me due to finding nothing else wrong with me. He suggested Elavil that helped a great deal when I first started taking it. In only take 10 mg's morning and evening. Hasve noticed over the last couple of weeks, the symptoms are coming back, maybe to a lesser degree, but yesterday I found myself reaching for the pyridium and took another dose today. I should also mention that all my symptoms seem to be in the urethra, more to the outside end. It can be almost orgasmic in nature, but there is nothing about it that feels good. I can up the Elavil to two 10 mg tabs at night but the dry mouth and vivid dreams are very bothersome side effect. Whe I saw my uro last, he mentioned Elmiron but due to a number of side effects that I have read about, I am not sure I want to try a drug that takes months to work to find it is of no help to me. I se my uro again on June 3rd and am hoping you can give me some suggestions that I may want to bring up with him.
Thanks so much for any replies I may receive.

[greeneyes]

Hello, We are all here to help and share our stories, I was scared to start the elmiron as well because I usually have side effects with every meds I take but I will say, I've experienced none with the elmiron. Have you spoke to your Uro about instills? Are you on the IC diet, it helps alot. Since I'm new to this as well I'm still learning but this site has a wealth of information on it and has been of great help too me. I'm sure you will hear from other members and whats worked for them.

[Linda May]

I agree with greeneyes you and your Uro willl find the right treatment plan. Also stick with the diet, don't cheat it can flare you worse.

[fivefoottwo]

fivefoottwo

Thjanks so much for replying green eyes and Linda May!! I have to admit I have not ben as through as I should be about keeping a food diary, but in conversations with my uro, we discussed my diet and he said I ate very few if any of the foods that are on no-no list. I know there are other foods that can bother you, but my diet is fairly bland by choice. My worst culprit would be Califirnia oranges which I love or did love!! They are so sweet and juicy and only available a couple of times a year in our area.

I have been all over this site seeking information and I have no idea what could be causing these latest flares unless it was an aceptable food but it got messed up in its preperation. There are those oon here that do say flares seem to just happen. All my tests including the cystoscope showed nothinbg out of the ordinary. IN fact, I recall my uro stating that I had one of the best looking bladders he has ever seen.

My second dose of pyridium seems to have calmed things down quite a bit. I have every intention of playing an active role in conquering these flares. My uro and I will be having a full discussion on my next appt. date. Still with a 'normal' bladder and seeing nothing in the urethra to cause the symptoms I am feeling it is all a bit perplexing to say the least. As for stress, I have suffered for years with panic/anxiety disorder which seems to be an inherited trait in my mother and my siblings. Although stress, is not always connected to panic disorder, I also have plebty of that in my life with taking care of three older siblings and owning our business.

Thank you both so much for being good enough to reply. I hope with what I am presently doing this flare is short-lived and not quick to return.
Bless you both.