Living with Interstitial Cystitis

And very poor support from Kaiser Permanente Urologists of Denver.. I finally hired one of Denver’s premiere “private” Urology Specialists to gain the proper IC diagnosis… Denver Kaiser Urologists didn’t care if I had an IC Diagnosis…! They still would NOT help me… they wanted to use old outdated IC criteria.. sad, because sticking your head in the sand like an ostrich, like Kaiser Urologists wanted to do, only prolongs and deepens your pain involvement..!!

But now 4 yrs later, I am finally beginning to feel much better. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 11 yrs ago, I experience hormonal Migraine headaches, and formerly experienced uncomfortable bouts of Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS )… all three are known to frequently “Co-exist” or medically speaking are known “Co-morbidity” factors that can tend to go hand in hand with Interstitial Cystitis ( IC ).

I want to share the protocols that have worked to significantly improve my health: For the IBS, I take 1 Chlorella capsule, plus a well rounded Probiotic supplement with my breakfast each morning. Chlorella is an excellent green algae food source, very popular in Japan.. it is known to cleanse bowels, remove toxins, and improve bowel sluggishness… Chlorella also maximizes Probiotic benefits by providing a healthy bed for the good Probiotic bacterias to multiply… No more IBS for me..! My intestines are healthy, full of good flora, and no longer permeable.. when bladders and intestines weaken.. they can become permeable.. and that’s what causes alot of the pain.. when toxins sneak into permeable areas they were not meant to be, it feels like alcohol being poured over an injury… ouch, and double ouch..!

Then for the Fibromyalgia, Yoga stretches, walking, tennis, skiing.. as much physical activity as I can take…along with Magnesium supplements…I’d get massages but usually I can not afford them… & I give strong attention to Stress Reduction in my life..

For the IC.. I take 4-5 mg of Elavil ( generic is amatriptaline ), plus approx 20 -25 mg of Atarax ( generic is hydroxazine ) .. I take both before bedtime… as they make you sleepy. Atarax is an antihistamine that can encourage over-active Mast cells in your Bladder to settle down… I probably have developed an allergy to some food or element in my environment. I also take a Glucosamine/Chondriotin supplement, and a Quercetin/Bromelain supplements.. buy high quality affordable supplements online at www.Vitacost.com , Jarrow and Nature’s Way are good brands of Chlorella.. as I do not buy that supplement at Vitacost..although Vitacost might carry those brands as well as their own NSI brand.

The low dose of Elavil to improve my IC acts as a muscle relaxant for an overactive bladder and likely encourages the down- regulation of pain pathways in my body…. Left without intervention, my body would continue it’s “up-regulation of pain” … up-regulation is sort of like opening the gates for the “horse races of pain neurons” to spread on to damage more functions in my Pelvic and Back regions… I read about how pain neurons were allowed to run amuk in women’s bodies to the point where sexual intercourse was painful for them, it is called Vulvodynia… they have vulvar burning pain most all the time…and I wanted to intervene before the pain pathways “up-regulated themselves” in my body to include IBS, Fibromyalgia back pains, IC Bladder, Pelvic Pain and possibly progressing to Vulvodynia… vulvar pains both during and without sexual intercourse.. I’m glad I finally read enough research to seek out two Pelvic Pain OB/GYNs at Denver Kaiser Permanente who lead my medical team to “down-regulate my pains” and get them under control, before they continued to spread to make more damaged nerve pathways throughout my back, spine, pelvic and vulvar regions..!

I still have (minor?) irritating back pains in the large shoulder muscles midway across my back, some trigger points at the top of my shoulders.. and uncomfortable tightness in the neck and shoulders..

Then I also have a slight heavinessin my bladder region, and small bladder pains occasionally that I take red IZO pills for (Walgreens / Walmart ) .. but I am soooo improved and happy with my current regimen and the positive outcomes..!! I want to grow into middle age and beyond.. being able to enjoy movement, skiing, tennis, and sexual pleasures…. the 2 benign meds I take leave me feeling a bit groggy in the morning.. but I am still very happy .. as I feel better than I have in years..!!

Terri , school psychologist, 48 yrs old, 2 successful adult children in their early twenties