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Here's my story! Also, I'm 31 wks. pregnant

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  • #1

    Here's my story! Also, I'm 31 wks. pregnant

    Hi everyone...I finally looked up some IC support boards. This pregnancy forum is the first one I'll post to.

    I've never been officially diagnosed with IC, but I self-diagnosed myself with it years ago. I don't tend to have bladder pain, but I have pretty bad frequency and urgency. I've been to the Dr. for my symptoms in the past but all we tried was bladder re-training. Calcium citrate seemed to help me a number of years ago, I tried Diflucan for systemic yeast and of course that didn't work because my bladder problems have nothing to do with yeast, and I tried Tofranil, which just made my bladder feel weird but I still had to go all the time.

    Right now, I'm 31 weeks pregnant. I'm getting house-bound because being pregnant is making my bladder so squished. I go wee-wee about every 5 minutes. It's terrible. Losing sleep at night, but as a mom I'm used to that. [img]smile.gif[/img] A Benadryl before bed helps me sleep a bit longer at a stretch. But I'm a very happy person as long as I'm near a bathroom! Wiping so much has caused irritated tissues and has caused discomfort during sex over the years, but there are practical ways to deal with that. Mainly what bugs me now is that when I have to go to the store or something, I have to use the bathroom while I'm shopping at least a couple of times. What a drag. And also I just plain old can't go some places. Can't go on hikes, to the park, etc. Only 8 weeks of this pregnancy left, though.

    I have one almost four year old son, and this next baby is due Oct. 20. I'm lucky enough to be a stay at home mom and have a wonderful life. My normal weight is 125 and so far this pregnancy is going great...except for the peeing all the darn time. After I have this baby, I am promising myself that I will get this taken care of some how. I'm scared of bladder distension and things like that, but I might have to do it. I owe it to myself. I should also ask to try the new drugs on the market for urgency and frequency. If any of you have a treatment/drug/method that you think I simply must try FIRST after the pregnancy is over, please do tell me! I would love to hear what works.

    I was reading a pregnancy journal by someone on one of these IC sites who didn't seem to complain that pregnancy was exacerbating her IC symptoms very much. She reported that she had to go to the bathroom once an hour. I wish that was me! Only once an hour would be a dream.

    Thanks for any replies!

    ---Katy
    [email protected]
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Welcome aboard Katy! You've found a great resource on this website. It was one of the only things holding me together in the beginning!

    I'm sorry about your frequency.. It does suck! Just a question, have you tried the Tucks pads at all? When I'm in a flare, I use those every other poddy visit to cut down on the TP rub. Also, I've rubbed neosporin down there on the edges to help out a bit.

    Gosh, I don't know really what else to tell you, with the pregnancy and all. I've never been pregnant with this disease.. The person with the journal is ICNLesa. You might want to try and track her down on here, as well as talking with your dr about some type of solution..

    You're also right in the fact that you do need to get this all checked out as soon as you have your baby. That way you can move forward with something that will help you feel more comfortable.

    BTW, are you having a boy or a girl??? <img src="graemlins/baby.gif" border="0" alt="[baby]" />

    Sending <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" /> and wishes for some rest from the tinkle-torium!!!
    ~ Life's a Garden, Dig it. ~ Joe Dirte'
    Ryan

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    • #3
      If you do have IC, ask about Elmiron!!!! It has changed my life. I know it does not help everyone, but many of us have our lives back b/c of it.
      Kim

      Diagnosed August 2001

      Current IC meds: Elmiron (since 2001), Levaquin (one pill after intercourse to prevent UTIs), Effexor (for depression & anxiety)

      Past IC meds: Amitriptyline (Elavil), Hydroxyzine (Vistaril), Detrol LA, Lexapro (for depression & anxiety, but also helped my IC) (They all helped, but I was able to discontinue them.)

      I've been virtually symptom free and able to eat & drink whatever I'd like for about 8 years now.

      *****************************

      “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” ~ Viktor Frankl

      “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” ~ Brian Tracy

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      • #4
        Thanks, you guys! I've been cutting and pasting every suggestion I've been getting so that when the baby is born and I've settled in, I can approach a doctor with a lot of ideas to try!

        They tell us we're having a boy (so we'll have two boys!) and they will be just about exactly four years apart!

        [email protected]

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        • #5
          Welcome to the IC Network from a fellow Oregonian.

          My suggestion would be, first of all, to seek a definite diagnosis. One of the ways of doing that is to have a hydrodistention in a hospital with anesthesia. One good thing about that alternative is that it sometimes results in a real improvement in symptoms for months.

          Some folks are being diagnosed with a potassium test, which also involves a catheter, but doesn't require anesthesia.

          I believe Portland has an active support group, and I encourage you to attend at least one meeting. It can be very helpful to be able to talk face to face with other people with IC.

          I do have one suggestion about the toilet tissue --- you may be doing this already, but be sure you are using plain white, unscented tissue --- and blot yourself after urinating instead of wiping.

          Sending warm hugs,
          Donna
          Stay safe


          Elmiron Eye Disease Information Center - https://www.ic-network.com/elmiron-p...mation-center/
          Elmiron Eye Disease Fact Sheet (Downloadable) - https://www.ic-network.com/wp-conten...nFactSheet.pdf

          Have you checked the ICN Shop?
          Click on ICN Shop at the top of this page. You'll find Bladder Builder and Bladder Rest, both of which we are finding have excellent results.

          Patient Help: http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html

          Sub-types https://www.ic-network.com/five-pote...markably-well/

          Diet list: https://www.ic-network.com/interstitial-cystitis-diet/

          AUA Guidelines: https://www.ic-network.com/aua-guide...tial-cystitis/

          I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.           [3MG]

          Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool

          Comment

          • #6
            Dear ICNDonna;

            How might you suggest I *find* a local support group in Portland? That might be neat...

            When one goes in for the hydrodistension and cystscopecy (sp..sorry), and you are under anethesia, what kind of anesthesia? Like a local, or do they put you under? An epidural?

            Thanks,
            [email protected]

            Comment

            • #7
              There's information about the Portland meetings on the ICA web site: http://www.ichelp.org/support/meetingannouncements.html

              Many people choose a general anesthetic for a hydrodistention; I choose spinal anesthesia because a general makes me horribly nauseated.

              I hope this helps.
              Donna
              Stay safe


              Elmiron Eye Disease Information Center - https://www.ic-network.com/elmiron-p...mation-center/
              Elmiron Eye Disease Fact Sheet (Downloadable) - https://www.ic-network.com/wp-conten...nFactSheet.pdf

              Have you checked the ICN Shop?
              Click on ICN Shop at the top of this page. You'll find Bladder Builder and Bladder Rest, both of which we are finding have excellent results.

              Patient Help: http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html

              Sub-types https://www.ic-network.com/five-pote...markably-well/

              Diet list: https://www.ic-network.com/interstitial-cystitis-diet/

              AUA Guidelines: https://www.ic-network.com/aua-guide...tial-cystitis/

              I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.               [3MG]

              Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool

              Comment

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