Lisa
Re: Interstitial cystitis I have found the following to be helpful. 1. Diet (nothing acidic- tomatoes, oranges, fruit juices,- no artificial sweetners like nutrasweet, no caffine, no wine especially red or margaritas or alcohol in general. Drink water- but too much just makes you have to go to the bathroom often. 2. Drink 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda disolved in 6-8oz water to ease the burn instantly. 3. A heating pad- or warm bath helps pain. 4. Medications that have helped me include Elavil (25mg at night),Elmiron-3 times a day (I have noticed a big difference and you will with in 1-month if it is going to work), and Urised- for spasms and pain as needed. Re the Urilogist: He was very hesitant to diagnos me and said that I was the first person he ever diagnosed. I was getting more information from the Internet and friends than I was from my Urologist. He has since studied up on it and offered more help. My gynocolgist was much more familiar and he said that it is not as rare as people think. He was actually the one that told me to get the bladder biopsy because he was suspicious of interstitial cystitis. I have recently discovered 3 other people that I know have it. One has had it for 20 years and recommended the same drugs I am taking. It is not that rare. It can go in to remission I am told. I hope this helps because having this disease can be awful.