I need encouragement!

[kels34]

I was just diagnosed w/IC a few weeks ago. I saw a gyno about fertility treatments in October, just before I got sick. I have completed all of the tests (at the same time I was going through diagnostic tests for IC), and I am ready to start meds to help me ovulate. I haven't been treating my IC other than pain meds, because I knew I was going to try to get pregnant. I am in a major flare (despite watching my diet and drinking lots), and I have a lot of pain. I think I am losing my nerve about the pregnancy. My husband and I haven't had sex since I got sick, and I am dreading it. I'm pretty sure that I am discouraged because I feel so icky - I may also have something like a flu or cold because I feel sore and tired and headachey. I am so tired of pain! I know that it has only been 4 months, but it feels like forever, and I am afraid that it will be forever! I know, in my head that I have lots of treatment options after the baby is born (if a baby even happens!). But my heart is shrinking...what if I go through all this pain only to fail to conceive? What if I can't handle sex? What if...what if...what if...! Blah!

I know that my life is in God's hands. I love Him so much. I have been holding on to Him, asking a lot of questions and complaining, and telling Him how much I need Him. I hate feeling this way. Maybe I'm just tired, hurting and depressed, and like Elijah after his battle w/the prophets of Baal when he fell into a depression, I just need some TLC. Or a good stiff drink. I'm joking, I'm joking!!!! Anyway, please tell me that all is not as horrid as I am seeing it! It has been a really rough winter, and I have been focusing on getting a diagnosis, survivng the tests, working out a plan for the fertility treatments...now that I am here, I'm sooo tired. And it's March, and we got over 2 feet of snow this week! ARGH! Wa, wa, wahhh! No wonder I'm miserable!
Please keep me in prayer. Thanks so much.
Blessings,
Kelly

[Melanie]

Kelly,
I haven't tried to get pregnant yet. But I wanted to send you supportive thoughts. I know of several ICers who have had difficulty conceiving. One of my good friends has IC and endo. Next week I will be meeting her for lunch to meet her brand new baby! Have hope and faith!
As for pain with sex, if it's an issue... Consider trying physical therapy and myofascial release. It has helped my sex life so much!
take care,
Melanie

[sherri00]

I honestly know where you are coming from. I have been dealing w/ infertility for 3 years and have done several procedures only to get heartache. I was about to do IVF a few months ago and was dx with IC. I was devestated and was in alot of pain. I did go throught the DMSO treatments and feel a lot better, but now I was dx with ulcerative colitis which runs hand and hand with IC. I am very depressed and have considered adoption due to my health. I do see where you are coming from though. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you do get that baby. You can do teh DMSO instillations when you are pregnant also.

[kels34]

Thank you, Melanie and Sherri, for your encouraging words. Sometimes I think the worst thing about this illness is the fear and sadness. You guys sure helped w/that! Melanie, I am going to keep the idea of physical therapy in mind. I haven't had sex since I got sick, and I'm thinking that the pressure on my bladder while I'm having pelvic pain will hurt. Since I came down w/IC, I tend to have vaginal irritation too. My gyno suggested egg white for lubrication...sounds yucky, but it should be easy on my poor, sad body. I also think that I may have an infection - the burning in my bladder is brutal, much worse than usual. I need to see my doctor - I've been putting it off. You know the drill - snow storm, daughter home for March break, am I really sick or is it just IC? I have to learn to take better care of these things if I am going to live w/IC.

Sherri, I am so sorry things have been so hard for you. Thanks for the DMSO treatment info. My doctor suggested starting installations right away. He wanted to do them once a week. I told him that w/the pain of IC, the pain of the weekly treatments and w/me stinking like a garlic clove...how on earth would I ever get pregnant? My husband's wonderful, but he's not a saint! And I'm just not gonna be in the mood for love...teehee! We agreed that I would hold off on treatments, and if I need them during pregnancy I'd have them. With the DMSO, do you smell the garlic or is it just others? Our Medicare (I'm in Canada) covers the DMSO treatments, but I know that there's another installation that isn't covered (cysitistat? sp?). My private insurance doesn't cover it, either. Apparently the nurses at our little hospital here do it, so I won't have to go to Montreal. I'm so glad for options.

I am hoping and praying that you are able to have a little one to love, as well. Adoption is a wonderful option. I understand how you feel. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings.
Kelly

[JULIE05]

Encouragement

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that during the middle of my pregnancy, all my IC symptoms seemed to go in remission. Others experience this also. It was great! I could have OJ and decaf coffee without burning and pain. Usually a big no-no. I even had a pretty bad UTI and still felt no discomfort.
I did have a little difficulty trying to conceive, but eventually suceeded. My little darling is now 14 months old, and I couldn't be happier. I did have a onset of symptoms three weeks after delivering the baby. Lots of flares since then, but they are no worse than the ones I had before getting pregnant.
Anyway, Do what feels right to you. You have to go after what you want, don't let IC stand in your way. Hope everything works out for you and good luck!

[michaelasmommy]

I know it can be really hard to deal with when you want babies! I quit taking my IC meds nearly 3 years ago, because I planned on having a baby. It took about a year to concieve, but it was so worth it when I saw her face! It's amazing what you can handle when it's for your kids. I'm expecting my second child any day now-that was a surprise for us! But it was certainly a welcome one! I had few IC problems with my first pregnancy, but this second pregnancy has me on bedrest purely due to the pain and bladder pressure. I think that it is probably partially due to the short time between my pregnancies. If my body had had more time to recover, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I chose to avoid pain meds as a personal decsision, but I know there a lot of good treatments available even to pregnant women. If you don't experience a remission, there are options. I have gotten a lot of help from family and friends as far as being taken care of! I wish you luck! Keeping you in my prayers!