Meet Kristina Lee

    This patient was compensated for
    her participation.

I was just finishing up college and had recently gotten married. It should have been a very happy time in my life. But then, I started feeling like I had to go to the bathroom all the time. And when I would sit down, I would get a heavy, heavy urge to urinate. I was constantly running to the bathroom, but usually only a little bit of urine would come out.

My doctor told me that it was probably stress, but I knew it was more than that. Finally I went to see another doctor who really listened and didn't just dismiss my problems as psychological. He diagnosed me with interstitial cystitis. I was so relieved to finally know what was wrong. He told me to watch my diet by avoiding certain foods like tomatoes, alcohol, and even chocolate. Of course, I wasn't too happy about that, but I was willing to do whatever it took to feel better.

Unfortunately, I still wasn't getting the relief that I had hoped for with diet alone. I decided to do some research of my own on IC. That was a huge help, because I was able to get in touch with a doctor who knew just what to do.

This doctor was great. He really put all my fears to rest and assured me that while IC is a long-term condition, it is still treatable. He then prescribed something called ELMIRON^®. My doctor told me that ELMIRON^® could take some time to work, but that after about 3 to 6 months it may begin to help. I was ecstatic. I was so happy to think that I may have finally found something that was really going to work. My doctor did tell me about some side effects that could be caused by ELMIRON^®, like nausea and dizziness. I took ELMIRON^® every day along with some other medications to help with my symptoms and I continued to watch my diet. In about 6 months I was really starting to feel better. I couldn't believe it.

ELMIRON^® has definitely helped. I also recently enrolled in the ELMIRON^® Journey to Relief^® Program, which has given me some great advice and even a coupon.

NEXT: Living with IC