Bad Day

[Stacie Lynn]

So as I mentioned earlier in the week, I was diagnosed on Tuesday and have been following the diet for a week or so already. For some reason though today was the WORST so far. No idea what happened, but the pain was horrible. I go in on Monday for a nurse visit, no idea what will happen then. My doc has no openings until August. I need to get some kind of treatment plan together and SOON. I did order some CystoProtek. At this point I am starting to feel as if I will have to treat myself. I told my husband I feel like I have been dropped in the middle of the ocean without a boat. The doc gave me the diagnosis and that was it. Sorry, just venting...too much pain to sleep. Ya'll have been such great listeners so far. Thanks all!!!

[ICNDonna]

I hope you feel better very quickly.

Donna

[Linda May]

Is there anyway you can get to another city or town where you can see a Uro much sooner?

[Stacie Lynn]

I think my husband would take me just about anywhere if he heard they were the BEST doctor for IC. I think my main problem now is that we are leaving to go out of town on the 2nd and my doc doesn't seem to think I need to speak to anyone about this before then. I am in REAL pain...I don't see how I am going to enjoy this trip the way I feel.

[earthlady]

I felt pretty much the same way after my first visit to my first uro. He told me to come back in 4 months to check if I still felt bad-????What? I started to panic and I felt abandoned and left to suffer just to "see if it goes away." I had to tell him I needed a pain med or anti spasmodic or something - anything. I switched drs real soon after that, and switched again after the second one said she only used Elmiron, urelle, or Flexeril for her IC patients. I learned by then that I had to ask for treatment or pain medication up front otherwise I think they would have just left me hanging. Thank goodness I found a good one now who is up on most if not all of the current treatments. I hope you get some help soon with treatments.

[Stacie Lynn]

Thanks all! I am trying to research docs in Atlanta. When I was diagnosed with Endo back in 2000 we jumped on it. My first surgery was with my regular OB/ Gyn and didn't go to well, but after that we did our research and found out who the best docs were in the field. We got lucky and one of them were in Atlanta. I had surgery with Dr Albee in 2003. This past August I went back to him for a Hysterectomy for Adenomyosis and 7 years later he found NO ENDO!!! I was really excited...unfortunately no it seems I have IC. UGH! Now if I could just find a great IC doc here in the area. I don't even mind traveling if I could find a great doc.

[ICNDonna]

Stacie, if you scroll to the top of this page and click on "Professionals" you will find a list of medical specialists in Atlanta who have been recommended by other IC patients. There's also information there about a support group there --- support groups can be an excellent resource for finding physicians.

Donna

[OllieR]

I would get a second opinion and maybe even a third. Unfortunately, most ICers have to go through several doctors before they find one who will take them seriously. It's dumb and lame, but that's how it is.

Before you can get in with a doctor you can read the forums here for tips you can do right at home. Using a hot or cold pack helps. It's good that you started the diet already too, way to go! Many find relief from over-the-counter AZO standard, me included. You can also take Benadryl, I've heard it helps with the IC symptoms in and of themselves, but if nothing else it will help you sleep through the night better. Also, you mentioned having pain. For some reason many ICers don't tolerate Advil well (again, me included, it gives me a big flare) so I would probably stay away from that before you talk to the doctor.

If you have a GP maybe he can get you started by writing a script for a prescription strength anti-histamine or something. If you want to try this same office again, you can call and ask if there have been cancellations or if you can be put on a cancellation list. Good luck scouting out doctors!