Hi there!

I'm Kay, I've had IC since I was 14, I am 19 now.

I was not diagnosed correctly until I was 19. And goodness is it good to know I am not alone. I feel like I grew up to fast because of this disease. I graduated high school at 15 because it became so bad that I was wetting myself in public. I have not been able to hold a job for more than 2 months in my entire life. Standing and walking are the worst for me. Lounging with my legs crossed is my comfort zone.

At 18 I married the love of my life. I told him right away that I had an embaressing problem that I couldnt help and knowing that, he married me anyway. And still today, I know he would do anything in his power to help me. We live in a not so great place, with him in a low wage job while I suffer at home with no income.

At 19 I was diagnosed with IC. They gave my pyridium and antidepressants to take daily. I also have oxybutinin. And Vicodine when the pain is too unbearable. (I usually only take the Vicodine about 4-5 days out of a month.) The antidepressants put me in a comatose sleep state for a minimum of 16 hours. After I wake up, I am drowsy for the rest of the day. Basically, I am a zombie because of it.

I am a rather healthy person. 5'3" and 111lbs. I drink lots of water. (I boil tap water and store it in glass containers, its the best I can do for now.) I dont eat much with spices. I'm pretty close to being a vegatarian, not by choice, but because I noticed that meats dont agree with my IC. I love my cheeses and they actually seem to make my IC feel better when I'm having flares (especially smoked cheddar! yum!)

The one thing I have definitly noticed is that I cannot have ANY sugar at all. Even in the smallest amount it tears through my bladder like there is no tomorrow. Halloween just passed and I wanted to cry seeing all that candy going by, my chewing on my celery and drinking water.

I do not like coffee or tea, so I really have no alternative to soda. I used to be a Dr. Pepper addict. When I was diagnosed with IC the first thing my husband wanted me to try was taking away the soda. It was really an overnight improvement, until I went for the lucky charms the next morning. Like I said, ANY SUGAR is bad news for me. But I know that the body needs sugar, So I need help knowing how to deal with this?

So if that was too long and you didnt read, this is what i'm asking right off the bat:

How do I deal with my bladder not being able to handle any sugar at all?

Also, pyridium and antidepressants arent cutting it for helping me have a normal life, what should I look into?