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Hi All,
First my story, I am 43 and have always been in good health, never on any medications etc. About a month ago I got what I thought was my 1st uti. I tried to treat it with cranberry juice, that didn't work so I took Cipro for 5 days, that didn't work. Pain got bad and I couldn't sleep, went to ER they tested my urine and said it was fine. I had tested it at home and was positive for lukeloytes but neg for nitrate. Symptoms were frequency and bladder burning at first. I never had blood or cloudy urine. After two weeks I got an apt. with a gyno, they did a pelvic sonogram to check for cysts or tumors all looked fine but man was I sore after that. He said he didn't think I had IC as I would be in severe pain and know where every bathroom in town was. I am trying to get an apt. now with a urologist but I keep reading horror stories about how Dr's don't believe your symptoms and how they never think you have IC. Beleive me I don't want to have IC but I am thinking what else could it be??? I have never been on the pill, I have only had one pregnancy 14 years ago. I have never had abdominal surgery. I have been sticking to basically the stage 1 of the diet listed here and drinking only water as I am afraid to do anything else because when I flare it is horrible and I can't sleep. I basically do not have nocturia and I have had a few days where I feel almost ok, but it always comes back, like right now I feel like I have a stick up my urethra into my bladder and it's very annoying. When I feel ok I can go a few hrs with out using the bathroom but when my bladder acts up I need to go every hr or more. I'm wondering if any of you have heard of someone getting treatment for this at such an early stage? My thinking is if I can catch this early I will have a better chance of getting rid of it and probably quicker too since hopefully my bladder isn't too damaged. I have taken some supplements, like oil or oregano but only about two drops a day, I was afraid it would burn. I am taking Cystopretek but I saw a post on here about how it doesn't work! I'm just really confused, do I need a diagnosis to be treated by Dr. Brizman? I really don't want to have a hydro with distention as I have head alot of peoples sysmptoms have been made worse by it, I would love to cure my whole self the natural way. Any help or guidence is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!
If I were you
I would make an appointment with Matia (Dr. B) immediately. If you haven't done so already, you can fill out an evaluation form on bomamed.com. The girls in Matia's office will follow up with you once Matia has had a chance to look at your form. While I certainly can't tell you what will happen for you, I don't think this condition (IC) ever just goes away on its own and if on the small chance that it does for some, I'm not one to wait around to hope I am one of those lucky few. Everyone's symptoms are different and more often that not, many people who have this have a myriad of issues, like constipation, stomach issues, body aches, etc. This is because the body has been continuously breaking down for sometime and the bladder is the last thing to break, so to speak. For instance, I don't have frequency really at all, just constant pressure (that feeling you describe of having a stick stuck up there- I can completely relate to). I also don't have any other issues than this and I am highlighting this because everyone is different. When this all started for me a little more than a year ago, I saw doctor after doctor after doctor and all assured me I didn't have IC. I had a cystoscopy, took low dose antidepressants, had a hydro-distention, took cystopretek, did different diets, EVERYTHING and nothing helped. But I knew that something was seriously wrong with my body and NO ONE has understood what I was/am going through like Matia and the people on this site. I started with Matia about 5 months after this whole nightmare started (9 months ago). TO make a long story short, I don't think it is EVER too soon to start this treatment and turn your life and health around. I wish I had found Matia immediately, it would have saved me so much heart ache. While I am no where near where I want to be, I know I am on the right path and this treatment has opened my eyes to the damage I unknowingly (or at least didn't want to see) did to myself over many years (birth control, dieting, drinking too much, not eating correctly, abuse of diet sodas and fake sweeteners, etc, etc). I don't have any idea why this has happened to any of us (besides some bad lifestyle habits listed above, I always felt like a very healthy person- didn't take much medication, wasn't sick much, worked out all the time and my diet was 'relatively' healthy), what I want to believe is its our body's way of telling us we have to take better care of ourselves before its too late. Our body's way of making us turn our healthy around before we get conditions that do not give us this 2nd chance. But that's just me.....Best of luck! You are going to be fine, just take the leap of faith and get started. The sooner you do, the sooner this will all be over!
Thanks for getting back to me!
So you never were diagnosed with IC before seeing Dr. Brizman? Did you rule out kidney stones too? Thats the one thing I feel I need to test for even though I don't think it's stones, it's just that I had a very high ocolate diet before all this, wine, spinach, beets, nuts, all things that make stones. Have you heard of her treating people with stones also. This die-off seems pretty scarey, are you feeling any better now that you are on this treatment, how are your symptoms? I am just so afraid of making the wrong choices it's overwhelming.
Hi, Christine! I have been
Hi, Christine! I have been with Dr. B for about 2 months now and I would highly suggest filling out the evalauation form and seeing what Matia has to say about this. I was never diagnosed with IC either... even having a cysto and seeing countless doctors. They never really had an answer for me but I knew something wasn't right. Matia has all types of patients that have bladder concerns, and she CAN help you. You do NOT need to have a doctor say you have IC before seeing her. The bladder problems that you are having are actually underlying stomach and/or small intestine issues so I would fill out the form when you get a chance.
Thanks
I will fill out the form. What do they do, evaluate it and decide if this would work for me. Any idea how long it takes to get an appointment. I would need to fly out from Georgia. Yikes about the cost but the traditional medicine approach to this just seems so wrong to me. How are you coming along in your progress, were you very sick and on meds before starting?
When you do the evaluation
When you do the evaluation form she will be able to see how she can be of help. Make sure you do say it has only been a short while. I made an appointment within a month. I flew out from Columbia, South Carolina and the cost was around 350. It all started just like you back in March 2010. I never got very ill, never took medications, just extremely uncomfortable and the worrying was probably the worst. I thought my life was over after reading IC blogs and all the horror stories. I have been in treatment two months and have not had serious die off issues like others have talked about. I have pelvic pain here and there but I do feel like I am getting better. Usually Matia will know what will cause me pain. She knows the body so well. It is amazing.
Have you ever had stomach issues? Constipation? Stomach aches? Ever been a vegatarian or eaten a lot of soy? Do you eat lots of sweets or crave sweets or alcohol? It is fantastic you haven't been on birth control, that was a big thing that caused this for me but there are so many things that can contribute to bladder issues.
HI
My issues before this were heartburn which I think was caused by all the wine I drank, that was my vice. I also drank coffe but only a mug and a half every morning. My diet was also pretty high carb except for mostly eating eggs for breakfast. I was also big on supplements. Since this started I have cut everything out but water and the food on her list one. I need to call my mom and she is she would fly out there with me as I would hate to go alone. My husband just took a new job in SC so he is gone for now. Do you know if they take insurance? Is this all very expensive? How often do you speak with her by phone. Thanks for speaking with me, this means so much..... fear is such an awful thing!
Insurance
Hi,
I believe they take insurance if your insurance will cover it - mine is military insurance and doesn't cover any alternative treatment.
I personally talk to Dr. B every 4-6 weeks. When I've had problems in between those visits, I send her a very short e-mail and she adjusts my herbs.
Welcome!
Thanks for the reply Denise
Can either of you tell me how long it takes to hear back from them after I submit the form? I had a big talk with my mom this morning about this and she will back me 100% what ever I decided to do. My parents and my husband have been so worried about me since I got sick, it's been hard. Does it seem like most people here tried the traditional route first and when that didn't work they sought out a different path? I don't want to mask my symptoms, I want to fix them! I really hope I can get an apt. soon, I've already been looking at flights out of Atlanta and they were only around $250, I was excited to see that!
Hearing back for an appt.
I had no problem getting an appt. It may be because I tried ordering some things on line while I wasn't already a patient. Although, I had submitted my patient info the day before and was waiting to hear back. Anyway, they contacted me to refund my money, since it wasn't perscribed by Dr. B, and made the appt at the same time. i have heard from others that they didn't get a call back within a couple of days, contacted them again, and an appt. was made.
Please don't let that put you off - once you get established Dr. B is great.
As for trying this route, it seemed like the only route that seemed right for me. It makes no sense the way that I've been treated by conventional meds. That, and the fact that I ended up in the hospital resistent to nearly all conventional antibiotics, left me with very few options. I am so happy that I took this leap of faith.
Sorry I didn't get back to
Sorry I didn't get back to you, I wrote back but it' not showing up... I must have skipped the final step or something.
I talk with her once a month and it's 150 per 30 minute phone call. She gets a lot done in that time. You can also email her as much as you want which is helpful. I also pay around 150 for my herbs a month. I am paying less than that right now because I am actually only taking one thing at the moment.
I'm not sure if insurance pays for any of it. I was told some ins will pay for the 300 dollar CA visit when you see her, but mine did not.
I saw that you booked your flight! Congrats!!!!
I did!
It was so hard to organize it with the time of the apt. as I only want to spend one night. I was feeling so good for a few days then yesterday and today I am in a flare and a funk, it stinks. So how are you doing with the treatment, have you made much success? Also where did you stay when you went and did you rent a car?
Christine