wHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE TIME DO PEOPLE WITH IC FEEL GOOD?

[GWENDOLYN]

I know everyone is different, but I was wondering if some of you all who have had or been diagnosed with IC for a while, what what percentage of the time do you feel good? Do you go through several days without symptoms and then go through a few bad days(that is what seems to be happening to me). Do you have more good days than bad?
I haven't been diagnosed, but my doc and I seem to be convinced I have it and reading the message board shows me I have a lot in common with everyone!
Thanks and I hope you all have more good days than not so great days!!

[vm]

For the past few years I have basically been symptom free. I eat what I'd like, drink what I'd like, and pretty much do whatever I'd like activity-wise. I cannot remember the last time I flared.

In the beginning, the first year or two, I almost always felt my symptoms. I seldom got relief and if I did it was short lived.

[Roxie2007]

HI I have more good days than bad. My bad days come when my dr.s try new meds for other illnesses I have.....then that will cause bladder pain......or urethra pain. But most days are good for me. Hope you will get to that point too! Roxie

[kadi]

I feel pretty good most of the time. I wear jeans, do yoga, work out at the gym, hike, work fulltime, attend church, spend time with friends - none of which was even possible in the beginning & which was then not easy for awhile while I was getting my treatment program figured out. Now that I know my dietary triggers & have found treatments that work, most of my days are pretty good, and my flares are manageable.

[waterflow]

I have maybe 5 days out of the year when I feel good and they are not at the same time.

[mary124]

I feel good most days. Yes, I have pain, but I can deal with it. (I just got out of a VERY NASTY FLARE-SO BAD that my husband wanted to take me to the ER in a very bad rain storm!!--He was so worried ( we compromised I went to the doctors the next day)- I don't think he ever seen me like that before) But like I said most days I do ok, I'm not overly diet sensitive, I take my medications, I have raised 2 kids from the time they were babies, worked full time (don't think I missed a days of work due to this-- except doctors appointments and even that it was a few hours here and there).

[Briza]

My first year I was in a constant, intense, painful flare. I hurt bad all the time. After I got dxd and treatment, I had many days of mild pain, easily managed with my pain meds, and eventually many more days pain free with no symptoms. That's how it was for a couple of years, but I've been in a bad flare for over 2 months now, it's not fun, but I know it will end so even though it's tough right now, I'm just trusting that it will end soon and I will get back to a more manageable level like before.

[SharonA]

I feel very good. I am able to do anything I want to do. Every once in a while, I have a burning in my bladder, but I have learned what to do when that happens and it usually goes away in a couple of hours. If not, it is always better by the next morning.

[charmedx3]

I feel it constantly. I just had a fluke and had 2 days this last week where I felt like my old self had energy, felt great! i hope for more like that!
I may have a rare day here and there but for the most part I have pain daily. My pain has also increased from when this all started: july 2002. my 5 yr anniversary is coming up!

[cybersis]

This is my third year following my diagnosis and I feel good 90% of the time. I have figured out my triggers and live my life according to these factors. I started my exercise program again about six months ago - walking instead of running. I eat pretty much what I like but still stay away from most cereals ( rice krispies - big trigger ) and tomatoes. The first year was constant pain and urgency. Now if I do flare, my symptom is mostly pain in my bladder region and down my legs and it usually lasts a few hours. There is life after diagnosis!

[Moonheart]

I think I've had this so long now that I missed my opportunity to treat this effectively. I never feel good and am feeling worse than ever in fact. I'm in severe pain, sleeping all day, none at night, and not eating right. Now I'm possibly going to be diagnosed with Diabetes. So I can't imagine I'm going to feel good anytime soon.

[ICNDonna]

I have some slight discomfort most of the time, but basically I feel well enough to be happy. I occasionally have pretty bad flares, but if I stick with my diet I do okay.

Donna

[neferte]

MSM Gel

[What is MSM Gel? I need something .

[Trying2Cope]

For two years, I suffered excrutiating pain. I would lie on the sofa at night and cry after the rest of my family had gone to bed, because I could not get relief from my flares, no matter what I did. My family didn't understand what I was going through, and the only source of comfort I got was from my cat, who would sit on my lap as if she could sense that is where I felt the most pain. I was devastated when she died last year.

I have been symptom-free for about six months now. You can read more at my thread entitled "I have beaten IC...for now". I gave it that title because there is no cure for IC. We can have good days and bad days. Lately, all of my days have been good!

[GWENDOLYN]

MOONHEART, I am so sorry you feel so badly. I am praying for you. no one should suffer like that.
Take care and hugs to you! I hope you feel better!