Hi, my name is Brittany.  I haven't started treatment yet, but I go to see Boaz on July 9th.  I was in the same boat as you....I went back and forth a million times on whether or not to pursue this treatment.  After doing my research, I truly feel this is the best choice for me.  I know everyone is different as far as symptoms, what led to their IC, and how long they will have to be in treatment.  I have been on a restictive diet since November, but have been on the ICAMA diet for about 6 weeks.  I am slowly noticing a difference already.  I don't have the symptoms you describe, but I do have almost 24/7 urgency.  I feel like I have to pee all day, every day...it's maddening!  Some days are worse than others.  I have felt like ending my life several times, especially when I'm having a flare and feel like there is no end to the pain/agony.  Things WILL get better!  I think back to how I felt 7 months ago compared to today...I haven't even started treatment yet, and I'm already feeling better now than in November.  Keep the faith, and keep reading success stories.  The worst thing you can do is reading bad things on the internet...it makes it so much worse.  Please hang in there, and know there are a bunch of wonderful ladies (and men) on this site to help you through this!  You will know what's right for you in your treatment decision.  I know that I don't want the alternative, which is precriptions and bladder instillations, that may or may not even work!  I have been exactly where you are many times....crying my eyes out for hours on end....just wanting to be "normal".  You will get there!  I wish you the best, and hope you feel better soon :) 

Hugs,

Brittany

I thnk a lot of us have been where you are right now, I know before I started treatment I thought at times that I could not live like this. But once I made the decision to start treatment I felt a sense of hope. Before treatment I was taking sleeping pills to get some sleep and having to use hot water bottles for the pain. That all seems so long ago now, I have been in treatment 2 1/2 years now and so so much better, it does not rule my life anymore. My main issue was bladder pain and frequency and then after a while I got urethral burning also. I don't have the urethral buring anymore, I don't really have bladder pain anymore, it is now just an awareness of my bladder all the time, I still have frequency but has improved a lot. At first I could only hold approx 80 ml in my bladder, now when I feel it has been a while since I want and have been dringing a lot I will measure it and just yesterday I had almost 600 ml, this is a huge difference, I never thought my bladder would be able to hold as much again. I live my life and it does not hold me back anymore. When I look back and really think how bad it was and how better it is I would say I am approx 80 percent better. I am positive I will get 100 percent better in the end, I am not putting a time frame on it, I have learnt through this not to do that, it will heal when it's ready. It will take hard work and a lot of patience and discipline do do this, but it is so worth it in the end. Reading about IC online is the worst thing you can do, it got me so depressed and once I started tratment I never went to any IC sites again, just this one. Hang in there and you will get better.

I was in so much pain, too, 2 1/2 years ago. I was actually up all night in the middle of a flare reading online in desperation for help when I came across a post somewhere by a gal in the UK praising Dr. B for helping her with IC. I think I read this site for almost three days straight. I figured that if someone flew all that way and got better, then I could make my way there as well. It was the best decision I could have ever made. This year has been the most symptom free for me. I remember following the diet before I started treatment and that helped. I was gluten free and dairy free then, and I still am, so I started on list one. I used to cry and cry in the tub with the hottest water I could stand to try and numb the pain. I am so thankful to Dr. B for helping me get my health back. There is hope! Please don't give up. I am 54 years old and I had IC for 1 1/2 years with such pain, but I couldn't give up. I just felt there had to be a natural way I could reconfigure my body. And there was, thanks be to God. A big hug to you.

I am not in a relationship so have not had to deal with this issue. I know some people have problems but it gets better with the treatment also

Roo, this is ALL sovery difficult and we are all very different even in the area of sex. I am 56 and My husband is 72 so we don't look at sex anymore like we did when we were young but this has still been tough on us. I want to say this to you as I would one of my daughters. You are sick and in need of healing. If this young man you are with cares only about satisfying his own needs while you are suffering then maybe its time to re-evaluate the situation. This is a time where you need to put yourself first. It may not even come to this because after the doctors assess your situation they may not see a problem with sex. Alot will depend on you. If it causes you pain and symptoms they will more than likely ask you is it worth it? My husband is very unhealthy and my menopause has caused me other issues with sex so that has been something we have had to be creative about with intimacy. Boaz has been so thoughtful and helpful. Asked me if Ineeded him to talk to my husband. My husband has been such a rock for me through this. I was married and divorced before him because my husband had relations outside of our marriage. I learned so much from that situation. I had put so much into that marriage sacrificing always of myself. There must be a balance of both sacrificing and both receiving. Not one sided. You are worthwhile and deserve tobe treated with love and respect. Sorry if this is too much over the top I just hate to see young women suffer. I hope all will go well in treatment and that you won't even need to cross this path. Hugs to you!

Roo- don't have a lot of time right now but I just wanted to giv eyou a ((((((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))). I have a lot to say about the sex issue. When I have some time, I will write more. It's ok to grieve right now but you tell yourself- "Just for Today" I have faitht hat you will not always feel this bad or desperate!.