IC flaring up after years of peace

[Dreamspinner2]

Hi, I am a 42 year old woman who was diagnosed with IC back in 1994 and
after starting Elmiron as soon as it was approved by the FDA, immediately
went into almost complete remission. The only problems with my IC I've had
since then happen monthly when I get my period and then it seems to flare up
a tiny bit; I've talked to other women with IC and they have told me that
this happens to them too.

Within the last three weeks my IC has started to come back again and I
cannot figure out why. Once again I am miserable, in pain all the day when
it is flaring up, feeling like my bladder is ready to explode, and, well,
you all know how it is. The only thing I've done different within the last
year is started taking my birth control pills for three months, then taking
a week off, then repeating the cycle; I did this with my doctor's approval.
I am thinking that maybe doing so has aggravated my IC and now it is
starting to come out of remission.

I do not have a bladder infection.

I am seeing my urologist today & I'm hoping he'll be able to help me.

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for me?

Thanks.

Kim

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