Hello! I was diagnosed with IC in August, 2005. I would say it started about April. I thought I had a urinary tract infection for months. I was treated with several antibiotics, then I was sent to a urologist. He performed a cystoscopy with dilation of the bladder and found I had IC.

A week later I was doing bladder instillations with a catheter. I did this once a week for a month and followed the diet for about two months. I did do Elmiron, but I got better, so I stopped taking it. This is October 2005 and I drink coffee, smoke, and drink alcohol on occasion, but I am ok. I get a twinge every now and then that lasts about a half an hour. I know if I have a couple of drinks with friends I just drink lots of water the next day.

I have become a water drinker from having IC. My urologist said the faster a person can get treatment, the faster the healing process will be. It’s chronic, and it can come back. I try to stay away from soda too. I still watch acid. I am sure if I didn’t drink any coffee I probably wouldn’t even get a twinge on occasion, but the twinges are so quick and not that bad, so I don’t even think about them.

I feel really bad for those of you that went years without treatment, because you weren’t diagnosed. I can’t even imagine . . . this was a real hard time for me. I am 31 and this is my first health problem and my first surgery. I didn’t handle any of it well at all. I took a medical leave of absence from work for 6 weeks until it was under control.

Because I am a waitress, which is a lot of physical labor, it was rough for me! But, I am better and everything about me is back 100%. I quit smoking during my healing, but started back up when I went back to work. I quit for 7 weeks. I regret starting again, but hopefully I will quit again!

I know this story is all over the place, but I just wanted to write a quick letter to give some feedback. Thank you for letting me read all your stories during my healing! It was a big help when dealing with what to expect and what questions to ask my doctor.

I wish you all well and to be flare free! I would enjoying talking with anyone who would like to email me atantcuzjen@yahoo.com.

Jen