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Dear Girls,
I don´t know what to do anymore. I just moved back to my parents as I cannot afford living on my own. And they really wanna support me. The problem is that they don´t speak English, they can´t read whats going on here and they suspect all if this to be fake and just for the money. They don´t even believe I have IC and don´t understand why I don´t want to get diagnosed by specialists. My dad just said I have major mental issues and I need to get help. Of course I have mental issues, this situation is taking all of my energy.
I read all the German pages. It just seems so hopeless. I don´t want to get treated by those people. I have been in the best German hospital for 2 months and they told me I have mental issues. Seems like the whole world is against me. Any ideas what to tell my dad?
Annika,
Annika,
I so deeply feel for you in your situation. You do not have a mental disease. I remember having to dig down deep and muster up all my courage to insist to my husband and family that going to LA was so important to me. I had never before been so selfish about using our finances or time for myself. After reading so much in the forum and speaking in person to someone who had become symptom free after many years - I had a confidence about seeing Dr Brizman that I have never experienced in my life.
I hope you don't lose your confidence. I am really impressed that against all odds you have found this site and are attempting to make your way to LA.
We have hosted a student from Europe and met and made many good friends with international students through a Waldorf school my daughters went to. I live in the country in NY , a 6 hour flight from LA, but I would be glad to have you stay in an extra bedroom that we have while you heal. And we do eat pretty much all organic food here.
I am 52 years old and so it was easier to make these decisions in my life. I really sympathize with you having to deal with your parents' doubt in such a crucial decision.
I don't know what you can say that will change their minds. I wasn't interested in that nor dependent on their assistance when I made the decision. I do know that everyone, including my husband , had many doubts. The only person you need to be concerned about right at this moment is you and the fight for your well being and sanity. Believing in myself gave me such clarity of thought - so don't give up Annika.
Sue
Hi Annika, that is such a
Hi Annika, that is such a generous offer from Pico. The women on this Board are amazing, I was helped to make the decision to see Matia by 3 British patients who had all got well. I also read her dissertation. I am now running a support group in UK and we meet up in London. Could you ask Matia if she has any German-speaking patients that could speak to your family to explain? Don't listen to anyone who says its a mental problem, it is a physical problem which can cause mental distress - ANY chronic illness can cause depression etc. IC is hard to explain to people. I was lucky that I had the full support of my husband. Stay resolved to see Matia. Read the success stories - they gave me such hope. Don't hesitate to contact me thru this site.
Why don't you tell your parents about the risks of undergoing further procedures, no hope diagnosis, dare existence, etc. Is it what they want for their daughter? I am sure they want the best for you. Point them to the other 'icn' forum. Let them read.... they are smart people (I hope), they'll figure it out.
Annika,
Annika,
I feel wrong to have not given your parents any fair treatment in all of this. Jane is right to say that IC is hard to explain. Really, unless you have experienced it, it is difficult to understand it. I actually became suicidal after 9 weeks with it. After that long with no sleep of course you are effected mentally. But if my own sister had come to me with a similar problem, I might have difficulties understanding what she was going through if I hadn't experienced it myself. I am so much more compassionate to anyone with health issues than I was before.
I guess I was just trying to express that you not cave in to what the "experts" are leading you to believe. Continue standing up for yourself and saying to your parents "What if" this is possible - a way to heal me that won't put me at any risk with toxic drugs. A way to heal me where I won't feel like I am going insane since I'll have a great support group of hundreds of women who have experienced this and have healed and who will carry me through it as I struggle. A way to heal me that will actually heal other ailments you were struggling with before you got IC.
Yes, you need to realize that this is a difficult thing to explain to family and friends. But please do be strong about going to Dr Brizman. Don't give up on what is best for you to do to heal from this complicated disorder.
My Best,
Sue
Sue, I sent you an email. Did
Sue, I sent you an email. Did you get it? Thanks to everyone else. I told my parents everything, many times, but since all my information comes from the internet and not from a real doctor they have difficulties believing me. Nevertheless my mom just booked the flights to L.A.. Lucky me.
That's brilliant Annika.
That's brilliant Annika. Going to see Matia was one of the best decisions of my life.
Hi Annika,
Hi Annika,
Found your email in my junk mail and just replied!
Sue
I wonder if there are any
I wonder if there are any doctors that Matia knows that BACK HER and could there be an open letter created so that there is some "western medicne credibility" fr stuations like this? If they were able to talk to a real person - like we are getting paid like actors? An ex patient started this site for US. cause she knew!
Matia is a doctor. IC is a recognized real physical condition- everywhere! It has been ESTABLISHED by the US urological association that cystoscopy is not a necessary or recommeded tool for diagnosis and MAY causea worsening of condition. You don't need PROOF if you feel bad!
I am sorry you are going through this. We are the proof.
I thought europe was more open minded in terms of alternative healing methods?
Why does Chinese medicine appear quackish? It is 5,000 years old and western medicine is barely a blip on the radar of hstory. It's strengths lie in energency medicine and surgery and not helaing chronic conditions.
You will get better and they will SEE. Blazing the trail.
I wonder if getting MAtia's dissertation would be helpful too. She has a PHD which makes her an EXCELLENT trained doctor. not in WEstern medicine but frankly all they did was make me SICKER. It's like trying to apply leaches to people. Their systems are outdated, barbaric and never made sense. They are the reason so many of us are sick. Is IC considered a mental illness only in Germany? I am so blown by that. Write me if you need anything.
Mary
Hey Mary, Sue, Jane and
Hey Mary, Sue, Jane and Blondy,
I thank you all for replying. I guess I convinced my dad that Dr. Brizman is the best option for me. Last night I made him read all there is about IC in German language and he realized that conventional medicine won´t be able to help me at all. And that it is really difficult to get diagnosed. I told him that I talked to many of Dr. Brizman´s patients and they all are getting better and that the treatment focusses on cleansing the body from its toxins and on strengthening the body´s immune system. And now he´s quiet. I´m really surprised.
Annika,
Annika,
I am so happy to hear that your parents have agreed to help you get treated by Dr. Brizman. When I read your original post, my heart sank and I prayed that God would help you get to see her. Now my heart is full of joy!
This is not an easy treatment to go through, but it works! We will all be here for you as we walk this road together.
God bless!
This awesome news Annika! So
This awesome news Annika! So glad you are able to see Dr. Brizman, and your family is starting to see this is the road to complete healing! Like Lisa said, we will be here for you through this journey! It will be so worth it! So excited for you!
Thanks a lot. How long have
Thanks a lot. How long have you been in treatment for and how much better are you now?