Hi,

It's been a long time since I've been on this board and I thought I would post a quick update to provide some hope and inspiration to you all.

I saw Matia from 2005 to 2007 (or late 2006?) after being diagnosed with IC through process of elimination in 2004 and getting worse by the day using standard Western practices. I worked hard to stay on course with Matia and improved within 6 months, became stable within a year and was done within a year and a half I believe.

I have continued to take probiotics since then, but nothing else. I am, and have remained since my last appointment with Matia, completely asymptomatic.

I got pregnant with my first child late December of last year (I'm going on 35 weeks now) and both my husband and I were a bit concerned that this might stir up some IC issues but I am happy to report that I have had absoultely no issues. In fact, even though the baby is sitting right on my bladder and every ultra-sound technician says, "Oh, you poor thing, you must have to go to the bathroom all the time," I don't.

I have had a very easy pregnancy, have felt great for all but the first few weeks when I was so tired I thought I'd been drugged, and I have absolutely no issues with my bladder. So, even under a great deal of physical stress and change, my body has held up and feels quite strong.

Good luck to all of you and hang in there. There were definitely times throughout my time with Matia that I felt so encumbered by the changes brought about by the treatment, the drugs, the dietary restrictions, etc. but I kept my mind focused and stuck to the program and I am so happy to say that I am doing great and I believe that you will too.