The IC Underground

The ICN Medical Restroom Access card can be shown to flight attendants, shop keepers and anyone else who might help you gain access to a restroom. This is a vital part of your IC awareness arsenal. Not only will it help you gain access when you need it, but it can educate others about the true, and occaasionally desperate, need for restroom facilities for patients struggling with urological conditions.

Front side:
MEDICAL ALERT - Restroom Access Required
The holder of this card has a medical condition (interstitial cystitis, prostatitis or pelvic pain syndrome) that requires frequent and urgent restroom access. It is difficult, if not impossible, for this patient to ‘hold it’ without enduring severe pain and/or bladder spasms. Please provide restroom access to this patient. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Back Side:
Interstitial cystitis (IC) and prostatitis affect millions of men, women and children who may struggle with frequency, urgency, pressure, pain and/or hematuria. Even if they don’t appear ill, they may have severe symptoms. Please help these patients manage their symptoms and maintain their dignity by providing restroom access.

The ICN provides support, encouragement and information to IC patients and providers throughout the world. You can meet other IC patients right now on the ICN website. Please join us!

Now Available at: http://www.icnsales.com/product.php?productid=354&cat=0&page=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZD5LTb05Ss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPovbj3WuV0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrdlzNIJAOg

New IC/PBS Guidelines Revealed for India
Well this is very interesting. Dr. Nagendra Mishra, a doctor I greatly respect and know, has released some tentative guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of IC in India. It kinda makes you go “hmmm” for several reasons.

#1 - They are choosing the name IC/PBS rather than Bladder Pain Syndrome (Europe) or Hypersensitive Bladder Syndrome (Japan).

#2 - The diagnosis is very similar to what is currently done though they do not suggest a whopping three biopsy sites like Europe does.

#3 - Proposed treatments really surprised me as they put a therapeutic hydrodistention as #1 on the list. Yikes!

http://www.urotoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view_ua&id=2223754

If you struggle with bladder or prostate sensitivity, you’ve probably already learned that some foods can badly provoke more symptoms and discomfort. ICN President Jill Osborne discusses those foods which you should avoid if you are struggling with interstitial cystitis and/or prostatitis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2YaUBw390k

We’ve produced almost 24 videos on interstitial cystitis now…. please check them out at: http://www.ic-network.com/videos/

Jill

It’s very normal to a couple to be challenged when one partner has a chronic illness such as interstitial cystitis. The true test of the maturity of that couple is measured by how well they work together, talk with each other and provide essential support to each other. A hug can be so healing when offered without strings and freely. ICN President Jill Osborne shares some strategies on how couples can work through the challenge of trying to talk with each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY6gtdYl6hk

See our new consumer safety video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQkdq461Ac4

We also have a new ketamine website at:

http://www.ketaminebladdersyndrome.com