Interstitial Cystitis Support Group

Hi, my name is Sharon and I live in Cleveland, TN where I was born and raised. I have been married for 32 yrs now to a crazy man named Jacky. Together we have raised 4 children (Will 30, Brandon 25, Shannon 23, and Clint 21, and we have 4 grandchildren).

I have pretty much been in good health until few yrs ago after I had a hysterectomy. I was keeping my grandson while my daughter worked so I thought I was tired from keeping him, we all know how 2 yr olds are! I have had a few back problems so I really did not think anything about my shoulders or my lower back bothering me and I had a few infections (or I thought so). Really felt like I was going to have to have another bladder tack, just did not go to my gyno-uro. Then in Oct my daughter moved to Iowa and we missed Tucker(grandson)so much we decided to make the trip and bring him back for Christmas. It was a long trip from Tennessee to Iowa and before we got there I just simply could not go to the bathroom and my pain level hit an all time high. My knees hurt, my abdomen hurt, was so stiff I could barely walk.

Finally got home and called my gyno-uro and the first words out of his mouth was ICT. He done some tests and confirmed it! At the time I talked alittle with him about my other symptoms and he referred me to an arthritis dr.

She also done tests and confirmed me as having fibro and degenerative disk disease.

I dont know if I was just plain ole mad or scared when I got hit with these two demons at the same time. It was a rought time until Feb-mid March, lots and lots of days my recliner and heating pad could have been attached to me and I would have loved it.

My IC for the most part is under control, oh sure I have days when it flares but I armed myself with lots of reading material and started on a diet right away. The meds for IC is so costly even with my insurance that I opted for hydroxyzine and it helps. My two main trouble makers are caffiene and chocolate so I try to avoid them at all costs. Different things work for different people and I am thankful that diet plays a big role in my relief.

My fibro seems to be the uglier of the two for right now. I am still struggling with it but I take trammadol and flexeril and these meds work fairly well for me.

I still have days that I am so angry for my life changing the way it has and question why ME!!, and why now at a time in my life when I should be enjoying life with husband and doing things we want to do. Then i feel guilty cause I have a healthy happy family that loves each other and for the most part take care of Mom. They learned a long time ago to just leave me alone and let me get over my pain on my own.

The other thing that has made me stronger is this MDJunction family. Someone is always here to talk, and sometimes that is the best medicine of all. It helps to have someone that understands what u are going thru and it really helps to have a place to vent. If anyone needs to talk I will be here off and on most days and I promise to get back to u as soon as I can.

Big Hugs and Prayers,

Blondee