Even thinking that maybe you have these symptoms is scary. Telling even one person you are feeling this way is humiliating. Or at least it feels that way. For me, the day I figured all this out, was a bit of relief. For me, just being able to put a name to it all helped me tremendously.
After that, my focus went into solutions. It was not so easy in my Senior year of college, during my senior thesis. I even asked my department head for a leave of absence that got denied.
I started Physical Therapy in New York, where I was living. I was taking Elmiron, Gabapentin, and 3 different creams to work on my symptoms. I got dilators (but had no idea how to use them). I read books and online articles. I saw a Psychiatrist and he prescribed me an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication.
What a year it was. I remember a couple of times I was on the subway heading to work and I would all of a sudden black out, have a panic attack thinking I was peeing myself all because of my restless leg syndrome, that was not yet under control. I had to get off the train at any random stop, take a Xanax. One of those time, I got out of the subway and walked the remainder 35 blocks to work.
I remember telling people I had IC or just explaining the bladder related symptoms to people. I remember feeling embarrassed. But things started working.
The tools exist. Their are doctors that are out there trying to learn and teach more about all this. I just want to encourage you to be brave. Believe you can get through this. I am going to devote some posts solely on some treatments I have tried, what has worked and what has not, and what you can do it you have limited resources.
Stay tuned!
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