Intercyst.org

At first, I rigidly followed a diet avoiding acidic foods, spicy foods, along with chocolate, and aged foods. I bought a new wardrobe of skirts and knit stirrup pants. For about a year, I forced myself to walk a minimum of 30 minutes a day. A believer in mind over matter, I began a program gradually lengthening the time between bathroom trips. Eventually I "reclaimed" parts of my life. Presently, I work part-time and attend the local university. There are many things I will not do again. Running and cycling are out, but I can eat small amounts of some restricted foods. On occasion I wear my very baggy jeans!

It was a mountain to climb!!

I received a diagnosis of IC in December of 1990. My symptoms read almost like a textbook. Assuming I had an UTI, I went to a family doctor for a simple test and antibiotics. Instead of improvement, the pain worsened. Food, clothes, a number of chemicals from cleaning products to fingernail polish, and even the antibiotics made my bladder hurt. Through a combination of persistence, luck, advice from friends, and family support, I saw a physician, a urologist familiar with IC. After tests to rule out other possibilities, the diagnosis was IC. IC changed my life in several ways. Though people cannot see it, chronic pain affects relationships and activities. My diet, clothing, and activities contribute to management of my pain. There are days I feel like a walking environmental disaster! Treatments tried include Elmiron, Imipramine, Elavil, Valium, and Codeine. Side effects of these reduce my options to one - I take Tylenol with codeine when symptoms flare.  You won't believe this next picture!!