Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A or Botox) is one of several experimental therapies currently in use for the treatment of IC, neurogenic and overactive bladder. Botox can be injected into the bladder wall or used as a bladder instillation. It is believed to block the sensory nerves in the bladder that triggers some of our [...]
To the chagrin, if not devastation, of thousands of IC patients world wide, cranberry products (cocktail, juice, supplements, pills) are not beneficial for IC patients and, worse, can provoke severe bladder discomfort. Why? Cranberry is profoundly acidic and is severely irritating to the wounds found in our bladders. This has been confirmed not only in [...]
Can you imagine how great it would feel to walk into a room filled with others who understand exactly what you're going through?? Having IC is difficult at times and doing it alone is unnecessary. There are dozens of independent IC groups around the country and world who are waiting to help you! Don't suffer [...]
A bladder instillation uses a catheter to deliver medication through the urethra and into the bladder. A smaller pediatric catheter is often used to minimize discomfort. "Hydrophilic" catheters (i.e. such as the AstraTech Lo Fric catheter) are generally easier to insert and remove than dry catheters because they have a slippery coating which makes them [...]
Did you know that anxiety disorder is a very common related condition to IC so much so that the UPOINT System for the Clinical Phenotypes for Chronic Pelvic Pain assesses for anxiety disorder and encourage physicians and patients to seek treatment. There is no shame in having anxiety disorder and it can be quite normal [...]
IC patient Tamara Pronti has shared that the City Council of North Arlington NJ issued a proclamation for IC Awareness Month on September 13, 2012! We would like to thank Mayor Peter Massa for honoring IC patients in his community! Well done Tamara!
Many patients find sitting for long periods of time to be uncomfortable, especially in a car, on a bus or on a plane. When travelling, try to break up long car or bus rides into smaller segments. Cars with a smooth suspension, such as larger sedans or SUV’s, are usually much more comfortable for IC [...]
Glenna Downey's entry for our IC Awareness Month campaign is all about friendship. She wrote ".I have been making posters throughout the month to all my dearest friends I have met through my journey of Ic... to show how much I appreciate there support in this journey, we are like family, and its just a [...]
We're happy to announce that we are extending the IC Awareness Month poster contest to September 30, 2012! If you have an entry, please send it to us! Please remember that it should: 1. fit on an 8.5 by 11" piece of paper 2. Say "Interstitial Cystitis Awareness." 3. Say "icawareness.org" 4. Incorporate the them [...]
Valerie G has given us the most honest discussion of how IC has impacted her life at 28 years old. She talks about pain so intense that she couldn't sit or stand. She talks about how it began, how its changed her life, what she struggles with and so much more! For anyone who thinks [...]
