Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Support Group
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a urinary bladder disease of unknown cause characterised by pelvic and intense bladder pain, urinary frequency (as often as every 10 minutes), and pain with urination. It is not unusual for patients to experience nocturia and pain with sexual intercourse. IC is also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS), particularly outside of the USA.
I see sometimes people will post about being cured of something. On the one hand I think, jeez, well I am still suffering a lot. On the other hand, I think, good for them. And, that gives me hope. And maybe I should try that. So I guess I will make one of those posts.
I suffered with I.C. a lot the last several years. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom before seeing a doctor. After that, I spent a lot of money. I took a lot of those red pills. I cried a lot of tears.
Now it is all over. I figured out that it was just a latex allergy. I don't know why it took so long to realize it. It is pretty simple, use a condom, have I.C. Don't use a condom, which means, don't have sex, don't have I.C.
Well, I've got some latex free condoms in the mail for me. In the meantime, my significant other and I have not been having intercourse and we are still very close if not closer. I don't know how it happened. I give him a lot of credit for being such a nice guy and not using me like I so often let people. Anyways, I hope you all find the light at the end of the tunnel as soon as possible.
I suffered with I.C. a lot the last several years. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom before seeing a doctor. After that, I spent a lot of money. I took a lot of those red pills. I cried a lot of tears.
Now it is all over. I figured out that it was just a latex allergy. I don't know why it took so long to realize it. It is pretty simple, use a condom, have I.C. Don't use a condom, which means, don't have sex, don't have I.C.
Well, I've got some latex free condoms in the mail for me. In the meantime, my significant other and I have not been having intercourse and we are still very close if not closer. I don't know how it happened. I give him a lot of credit for being such a nice guy and not using me like I so often let people. Anyways, I hope you all find the light at the end of the tunnel as soon as possible.
If you use latex again you will have an episode right? So it isn't cured......you just found one of the things that aggravates it.......most things that affect or bring on an episode are things we digest. Also woman who are still having their period seem to have more espisodes of pain during or after sex due to the fact that when your period is due you get pelvic inflammation....!
It is a sad; ugly; debilitating disease that goes un-diagnosed for so long we end up with permanent damage.......it sucks it the truth and trust me girls it has been tossed to the side because we are woman and most doctors for years where men.....!
I am noting writing this to be cold or mean I just don't want you to think that the only thing that is causing your IC is latex condoms.
Ste, I am very happy that you discovered something that your body is sensitive to. The sad reaity is that we ICers are sensitive to most things from codoms to vitimins; medications; foods....it take a long time to figure out what we can and cannot tolerate.....!
I have had this disease for 30 years it has gone into remission; it has reared it's ugly head at time for months on end.......
I have not had to many long lasting episodes in the last 3 years but it is because I eliminated medication...however; recently due to my lups and a few other things I had no choice but to take medication and my IC is in full force....so I know that medication affects me the most. Like you I have a sensitivity to latex and the spermacide as well....so no rubbers for me....!
On a positive note; life does get better; your sex life can improve and you can be more active..........if you learn how to read and listen to your body........
Keep a journal and please let your husband know that your not cured; that hopefully by not using latex you'll have less episodes.....otherwise you will both be disappointed later on.
Go to the IC Association and read you will see that there is no cure.....also go to the chronic pelvic pain website and read.....
education is the best way to manage any illness and that includes your partner...if he understands then he can deal with it as well.