Living with Interstitial Cystitis

12/24/07,

Let me begin by telling you that I am 57 years old and have had IC for about 20 years, if not more.

It started slowly with strange feelings, like tingling, but very seldom. I was about 30+ years old at the time when these symptoms started.

I saw a large ad in the local newspapers some years back asking if “you” have incontinence, he’s the one to see.

I have described my symptons to so many doctors through the years but they probably felt I was too young to have this type of problem, so there was no advice.

It took 15 years to get a diagnosis. I went to the urogyn who advertised in the paper. He performed a cystoscopy and there it was - finally a diagnosis to my problem - Interstitial Cystitis

Just before Christmas, less than 2 weeks ago, I felt very dry and irritated. I tried other remedies but they didn’t help. My gyn’s office was closed and I was afraid of not getting to a doctor and whatever I had at the time would get worse.

I called some friends to get their gyn’s telephone numbers. I was told about one gyn that might be opened - and he was. I went to him to get a prescription for some needed relief.

Now, with IC, I always used a sanitary napkin (24/7) just in case I would have a problem.

The next morning, after using the medication, I decided not to use a napkin because I would get even more irritated, which is why I had the irritation to begin with.

I was home anyway so I cut my intake of liquids. I am not a person who drinks alot to begin with, but it felt weird to me that I was not using the bathroom “in a rush” or as often as I generally would - very often.

A week went by and guess what, no rush and no napkins. It was like I was cured overnight.

I contacted my urogyn 1-1/2 weeks later and told him of my findings. He never heard of this happening, but he worked out a plan for me.

I was taking Elmiron 100 twice daily and Detrol 4mg. once a day. He advised me to cut down on the Elmiron to once a day and to continue taking the Detrol.

He also said to continue using the prescription every other night.

On my job, I am always embarrased each time I run to the ladies room, because someone always has to ask if I’m alright. You think they would be used to it by now.

When I travel with my children and their families, I was the one getting out of the car for pit stops, frequently, not the little ones. They were all used to it, but I wasn’t. It still bothered me each time I hopped out of the car and knowing that I was holding them up.

If this works for “everyone”, it would be a tremendous breakthrough for the IC community.

This is one of the most important things that could happen to me or anyone else with IC. I consider this a miracle and it’s about time we finally get relief.

This could be a possible “cure” for all sufferers of IC.

If you could email my story to me, it would be appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Assuming there is something out there monetarily for me, since I am the one who founded the cure. I am the scientist in this situation.

Thanking you in advance . . .

Sincerely yours,

pm
[moderator note: phone number has been removed]