Go Levaquin!!

Well Levaquin seems to have more or less cleared up the problem. I still have 3 more days of antibiotics left, but so far, so good. Then it's back to figuring out a long-term plan of treatment...

A little bit better

Well, I survivied yesterday and am doing a little bit better today. I was able to get into my doctor for a "sterile" urine test. That is actually where they cathertize you to take the sample directly from the bladder. Loads of fun... Anyway, I am awaiting the results but they were kind enough to re-write a prescription for Levaquin. Hopefully, this will clear things up.

Up All Night

Ever since I wrote the last postinig, "A Glimmer of Hope," I have been fighting what feels like a constant urinary tract infection. It's been off and on...now it's on again. I have such a hard, deep ache in the pelvis. It aches so bad that even my legs hurt. I have to urinate constantly. I just missed work two weeks ago for the same symptoms. After a course of Levaquin, if felt better...for a short time anyway. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to miss work again tomorrow. I have such a busy day but I will have to just suffer through it. It's 4am right now and I have been up all night long. Normally, I still sleep fairly well even with IC, but obviously not tonight. I will call my doctor in the morning and beg him for more antibiotics. I can't keep going through this. This is miserable! At least I will be working in an area of the city where there are lots of places to make a rest stop. I keep trying to be positive...but this really frickin' sucks!

A Glimmer of Hope

Just a note to all who actually check up on me through this blog...I have had about a week of actually feeling pretty good! I usually just write when I am miserable, but I also want to update when I am doing a little bit better. Being the eternal optimist that I am, I am hoping this is a turning point and that some real healing has begun. Time will tell, but for now, I have a smile on my face...

Looking forward to 2008...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I always get excited about the thought of a new year. I am the type of person that actually likes to make New Year's resolutions and stick to them. There's something about the change from one year to another in the blink of an eye that always makes me feel excited something unexpected is about to happen, something wonderful! I've struggled with IC for 2 years and every year I feel that same way as I do right now-hopeful. Although I have had some really rough times, I do pray that 2008 will bring some rebuilding and renewal of my mind, body and spirit. I also hope that some new medical advances will be made in the treatment of the mystery that is IC. As for my current medical treatment, I am continuing to see a pelvic floor physical therapist in an attempt to retrain my pelvic floor muscles. Currently, I am not taking any medications except for the occassional oxybuturin when the frequency is out of control. I have an appointment next week with my trusted internal medicine doctor to have her review all the tests I've had done over the last year and get a second opinion. I am more or less starting from "square one." My main mission is to try to figure out how to get the repeated infectoins I experience under control. I will keep the updates coming...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone that checks this ("Hi mom.") My cycle of battling urinary tract infections is back AGAIN! It's insanity! I had a few infection-free weeks and presto...it's back in full affect right before Christmas. The trip driving there will be miserable, but once there, I should have time to rest and relax. I am trying not to let this spoil my holiday. I will take these next couple of days and try to come up with a new plan of treatement for 2008. There is a reason I keep getting infections, and it's not just because I have IC. There has to be an answer. I pray that someone finds something soon! I will update my blog with my new plan of care when I have that all figured out. Oh yeah, and I will be revealing details of the project my husband and I have been working that has been consuming most of my time. Hopefully, in the next week or so I will have details. Thanks for checking up on me........

Sorry for the Delay

Sorry for not updating this since November. My husband and I have been working over-time on a special project, soon to be revealed. I don't have much to report in terms of progress, no better, no worse. My GYN that performed my laporoscopy 2 years ago wondered why I get so many UTIs and yeast infection so she had me take a fasting glucose test to check my blood sugar. Everything came back normal, so I guess that's good news. I began seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist a few weeks ago. I had gone to her last year before my wedding and she was helpful. I know I have a lot of pelvic floor issues so I decided it was time to go back to her. So far, so good. She reallly cares about her work and about helping her patients. Hopefully, this will yield some improvements in my symptoms. The acupuncture treatments have been put on hold until after the holidays. I am going to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine so they take a break through the holidays. Right now, I am just trying to figure out my meals for the holidays so I can feel somewhat like a normal person. My husband and I will be travelling to my parents house in Minnesota. My mom is very accommodating to my strange and ever-changing diets. She makes whatever I ask, so that makes my life much easier! I know not everyone suffering with IC has parents that understand how difficult and how REAL this is. I am truly blessed to be able to say that I do. After Christmas, I will concentrate on trying to come up with a new "plan of attack" for 2008 to improve my symptoms and get on with my life. For now, I am just trying to enjoy the upcoming holiday with my family.