Living with Interstitial Cystitis

Hello, my name is paige and have been diagnosed with interstitial cysitis [cystitis] now for close to 7 years. I am 23 years old and work full time on top of being a full time student and find it frustratingly hard to face everyday life. I suffer from severe lower back pains, as well as pelvic pain. I am sad that there is no immediate relief from these symptoms. I have tried taking Elmiron, and while it somewhat helped I suffered hair loss and developed stomach ulcers from that medication, so I had to qiut it.

I have also tried bi-weekly bladder instillations at a urologists office, and while those helped me for the day, It didnt help with the frequency or back pain. Finally frustrated, depressed, and now hopelessly confused I turned to my primary care physician and insisted that while little is known about my condition, I should not be left in limbo, or left in pain. Why should I continue to suffer only because there is a lack of understanding professionals.

I urge people with this problem to not give up, there is hope and medication can be taylored to your specific needs with this condition. Although I am on 7 medications, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel because at least I am able to do the more simplistic things in life like sleep, and work with out the continuous pain all the time while we wait for a cure.