Hello, all. 
I'm new here after about two weeks of lurking/reading. I'm a 37-year-old mom of two preteens and have an awesome, supportive husband. I was diagnosed with IC this morning, based on symptoms and history.
I've had what I thought was recurrent UTIs since I was a young child--as long as I can remember. I've always known that if I drank too many Cokes, too much orange juice, took bubble baths, and as an adult alcohol and air travel, that I might get a UTI (3-5 per year). Now, of course, I realize that it was IC all along.
I'd never heard of IC until about 2 weeks ago. I've been experiencing the worst symptoms of my life, every day for about 6 weeks. It has been different this time--lying in the bed crying in pain for hours every day. At the beginning of the UTI, I even had vomiting. The highlight was when returning on a long flight, I became violently ill during the boarding provess. And guess what color your vomit is when on Peridium... It wasn't pretty.
But I could cope with the pain, knowing that the antibiotics would soon work. After the antibiotics didn't work, my primary physician ran a new culture, which came back clean. At that point, based on history of UTI symptoms, she believed I had IC and referred me to a urologist. Lots of other details, but that's the Reader's Digest version.
I read everything I could get my hands on about IC, quickly finding myself here, and it has been a TREMENDOUS help! I also read journal articles on IC. Based on all of that information, I added Cysta-Q, Prelief, Prevacid, stopped my multivitamin, added a Benadryl, and altered my diet. I knew beverages could cause issues for me, but I had NO IDEA that foods could as well!!! I have IBS, too, so much of what I've learned is good for that, too. (On that note, I don't mind giving up sodas and juices forever, but I do wish there was an alcoholic beverage I could enjoy in moderation occasionally in social situations. And I know it will seem silly to you all, but to give up tomato products and spicy foods like tacos is really depressing to me. Ah well, I'll sure do it for now if it could make the pain go away.)
I've been on Sanctura and Peridium for about 2 weeks (from my primary physician), and I am so thankful for what they have accomplished!!! Before, I was visiting the restroom every hour, 4-5 times at night, and had constant urethral burning and pain in my bladder. I present on a regular basis to large audiences, and the frequent breaks were disruptive and embarrassing. Now with the medication, I'm "aware" of my bladder, but I don't feel pain. And the urethral burning is greatly decreased. The frequency is completely resolved!!! Hooooray!!!
Today, my new urologist prescribed Elmiron, Tagamet, and Atarex to add to the arsenal. She also ran a blood test to see if I have Sjogren's, since I have super dry eyes. (A few montsh ago, my son's ophthamologist noticed my eyes were red and asked to do the dry eye test. Now I use Restasys). But I don't have dry mouth, so I think (hope) I don't have that. Since I have chronic heartburn and tend toward anxious (especially since this started), the medications all seem like okay choices.
I really want to believe I can just be normal again. I suppose that's what everyone here longs for.
Thanks for listening!

I'm new here after about two weeks of lurking/reading. I'm a 37-year-old mom of two preteens and have an awesome, supportive husband. I was diagnosed with IC this morning, based on symptoms and history.
I've had what I thought was recurrent UTIs since I was a young child--as long as I can remember. I've always known that if I drank too many Cokes, too much orange juice, took bubble baths, and as an adult alcohol and air travel, that I might get a UTI (3-5 per year). Now, of course, I realize that it was IC all along.
I'd never heard of IC until about 2 weeks ago. I've been experiencing the worst symptoms of my life, every day for about 6 weeks. It has been different this time--lying in the bed crying in pain for hours every day. At the beginning of the UTI, I even had vomiting. The highlight was when returning on a long flight, I became violently ill during the boarding provess. And guess what color your vomit is when on Peridium... It wasn't pretty.
But I could cope with the pain, knowing that the antibiotics would soon work. After the antibiotics didn't work, my primary physician ran a new culture, which came back clean. At that point, based on history of UTI symptoms, she believed I had IC and referred me to a urologist. Lots of other details, but that's the Reader's Digest version.
I read everything I could get my hands on about IC, quickly finding myself here, and it has been a TREMENDOUS help! I also read journal articles on IC. Based on all of that information, I added Cysta-Q, Prelief, Prevacid, stopped my multivitamin, added a Benadryl, and altered my diet. I knew beverages could cause issues for me, but I had NO IDEA that foods could as well!!! I have IBS, too, so much of what I've learned is good for that, too. (On that note, I don't mind giving up sodas and juices forever, but I do wish there was an alcoholic beverage I could enjoy in moderation occasionally in social situations. And I know it will seem silly to you all, but to give up tomato products and spicy foods like tacos is really depressing to me. Ah well, I'll sure do it for now if it could make the pain go away.)
I've been on Sanctura and Peridium for about 2 weeks (from my primary physician), and I am so thankful for what they have accomplished!!! Before, I was visiting the restroom every hour, 4-5 times at night, and had constant urethral burning and pain in my bladder. I present on a regular basis to large audiences, and the frequent breaks were disruptive and embarrassing. Now with the medication, I'm "aware" of my bladder, but I don't feel pain. And the urethral burning is greatly decreased. The frequency is completely resolved!!! Hooooray!!!
Today, my new urologist prescribed Elmiron, Tagamet, and Atarex to add to the arsenal. She also ran a blood test to see if I have Sjogren's, since I have super dry eyes. (A few montsh ago, my son's ophthamologist noticed my eyes were red and asked to do the dry eye test. Now I use Restasys). But I don't have dry mouth, so I think (hope) I don't have that. Since I have chronic heartburn and tend toward anxious (especially since this started), the medications all seem like okay choices.
I really want to believe I can just be normal again. I suppose that's what everyone here longs for.
Thanks for listening!
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