Need some information help

[LaTayna1]

Hello I am new to this IC and I am really having a hard time dealing with it. Ihave become so depressed over the news that I will probally have to deal with this for this rest of my life. The medication for this is over $700 and my insurance will not be able to cover this for a long period of time. So I will have topay for it myself and I do not make enough money to pay that every month. This is extremely discomforting and I feel so lost.Although, it is good to know that there are others who share this thing and I hope they someday find a cure for it. I really need to find my way with this because I feel so numb inside and I hope that I can pick myself back up. Does anyone have any words of incouragement I could sure use it right about now.

[sailawaygrl]

Hello Latayna,

Welcome to the ICN. I am sorry you are having a difficult time right now. It is very hard to get a diagnosis of IC, what you are feeling is perfectly normal and I think many of us have been exactly where you are.

As for medications, if you are taking Elmiron then you can go to the manufacturer website and they will have a patient assistance program that you can apply for, they also had some coupons available at one time. Be sure to check and make sure that any other meds have generics available and if they don't it is always worth a try to ask the pharmacist if another drug is similar that does have a generic. They will usually even call your Dr for to ok the change.

In my signature you will see a link to the Patient portion of the ICN, there you will find information on treatment, diet and many other helpful information. It is good to go there and read up on what you can do to help yourself. The forum can be great for support but it can also be scary sometims too. Remember, that we are all very different in our symptoms and what treatment work for each of us. Arm yourself with as much information as you can, that way you will know what treatments are recommended and how you can help yourself. To start with take a look at the IC diet and try it for a while, it can be helpful to calm down an irritated bladder.

Again, welcome to the ICN.
Sandra