What is Interstitial Cystitis?

What is Interstitial Cystitis?


Interstitial Cystitis is the worst bladder infection you've ever had, except no bacteria is present, there is no cure, many foods make it worse, and separate treatments have maybe 1/3 of a chance of helping. The only true "treatment" is treating the pain, as its usually the only thing that will work. Even patients who've had their bladders removed still experience the pain. Doctors don't know what causes it or how to get rid of it but have many theories.



Need to find a doctor in your area who actually knows how to deal with IC humanely? Click here.

These are the new guidelines for diagnosing IC. If your doctor isn't using these then I suggest you find a new one who keeps up to date.

You can find the IC safe collaborated recipes between me and my step dad here.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Tips on IC Pain and Pelvic exams

"The bottom line is feeling in control, which is an important part of healing. "IC and all of the pain syndromes that occur in the pelvis can make you feel out of control. But you can feel in control by choosing your healthcare providers—choosing YOUR team." -- Dr. Metzger Well, mine never seemed to try to be gentle with me even after telling her a million times to be gentler to me than other patients.

IC and time management

The hardest thing to me right now is time management. Either I hold my urine in and get things done then hurt really, really badly when I'm done with work for the day, or I go to the bathroom as needed and suffer mild to moderate spasm pains for up to an hour after each time, not ideal for a job setting. I can't even be productive with it in a home setting. Today I found sources for an up coming term paper, had to do a 40% water change to my aquarium, and had to clean the gerbil cage. This is just the stuff I do for *me*. Next there was towels and garbage cans. The Aquarium gave me a lot of trouble so it was 6 hours until I got to go to the bathroom. Thankfully there are heating pads here to help, but I wonder what I'd do at a job? This is why I'm hoping for part time hours. I did submit my resume to four places. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed. There's no way I could survive the fast pace of a restaurant or anything involving walking/pelvic jostling. Not unless they want an employee in a wheelchair, but then they'd find some other reason to fire me for. Current news is nothing much. I did find a place that can batter fry shrimp in plain flour. It comes with the spice taste without the spice (or at least not enough to hurt me) and it feels like I'm dining at the world's most expensive restaurant. It's pretty great. Also I've decided to start getting my birth control pills from Planned Parenthood through their HOPE program, which means I don't have to get naked to get a pill just like people in all other first world countries who can get over-the-counter pills or just have to let a nurse check their blood pressure. While I know it's important, I've decided to follow Northern Europe's guidelines of every 3-5 years. It's a slow growing cancer. Most who die never had it checked, not that they were too late (unless there was symptoms). Not sure why the doctors here don't understand this or read the latest guidelines. Well, it's a weight off my back. Like all other ICers know, pelvic exams can really hurt not to mention my own personal sense of violation one once is done against my will due to coercion to get the pills I need to stop period flares. That's no relationship I'd put up with a man, and so that's no relationship I'll put up with a doctor. ..also.. was hoping to make some pocket change from this. But the certain affiliate I'm using hasn't so much as given me 10 cents since starting this blog. Page views should at least be worth something, right? The advertisements aren't even IC related half the time.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Traveling with IC

Oh dear, Blogger has changed formats. Well, it's been awhile. I still have spasms, but nothing like during the winter. Meds and heating pads control it so I can be productive at a desk. Tomorrow I am stepping out of my comfort zone and going to take part in a protest against the War on Women. It's something a college student like me is expected/allowed to do. What do ICers need? Hormonal birth control for flares. What are certain politicians trying to stop? Hormonal birth control. As an ICer I will go and speak for us. I think things should be okay. I'm bringing emergency pack of hand warmers for heating pad substitute, my meds, and a Nintendo DS for the ride. Oh, and water, lots of water. I think I'll be okay with these things. So far on my hour commute to and from school these things have helped me greatly. I also have a wheel chair for dire pain situations. These things make me able to travel. It's not impossible... but it does depend on your state. I don't think I'd have the courage to do this during winter months when I flare up. Or maybe I would considering the importance of this. Glad it's in the summer. Ah, and I've found that the local Planned Parent hood here doesn't require pelvic exams for birth control. This makes my longing for informed consent and my IC happy.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Apologies for lack of posting

Apologies for lack of posting. It's term paper time, so I'm preoccupied with freaking out, graduating, and finding a job that won't stress my bladder. I live in a small town where the only places willing to hire someone with no work experience is retail or fast food and walking jostles my bladder and isn't that great. I could get away with being a cashier maybe, but Wal-Mart eats peoples' souls. And that's about all we have in my tiny town. My brother is manager of the local home repair shop, so that's out of the question. Other than that is the dollar store and some clothing stores (I'm not a fan of clothing. In fact, I couldn't even tell you what size I wear). Radio Shack demands experience. I need to work a certain quarter per year to get disability, but there's just really no options here for me. The library isn't hiring though I put in an application anyway and the Newspaper office practically laughed at me. I could tell my the look on the receptionist's face that I had no chance. They weren't hiring at the moment anyway. I guess I'll need to search in surrounding areas.