(English) by First Name: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V-Z

By Language: French   German   Greek   Italian   Polish   Romanian   Russian   Spanish   Turkish

Brandi K: Interstitial Cystitis

It has been the most painful thing in my life.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an inflammation of the bladder which can occur by itself or in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases, such as fibromyalgia, scleroderma, lupus, or Sjögren's Syndrome. Symptoms include bladder spasms (which can be very painful), bladder frequency, bladder pain, low bladder capacity, and incontinence.

When I was sixteen I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis. It has been the most painful thing in my life.

I have had a interstim put in (it is an implanted electrical device for the bladder) but it has not worked, it just gave me more pain. I wet the bed almost every night and I have developed a very depressing life.

I am now twenty years old and have been through everything. I am at the end of the road and cannot find a doctor who can help me. I want a bag or catheter.

I need help from anyone that knows anything. I never leave the house. I am just at the point where I only go back and forth to class.

To Contact the Author

ISN Artist: Sherrill Knaggs (In Loving Memory)

Sherrill Knaggs, ISN Artist, created the digital photo to illustrate the story on this page. Sherrill lived in New Zealand. Her story was featured in ISN's book, Voices of Scleroderma Volume 2.

ISN Story Editor: Judith Thompson Devlin

Judith Thompson Devlin is the ISN Story Editor for this story. She is also lead editor of the ISN's wonderful Voices of Scleroderma book series!

TOLL FREE HOTLINE, U.S. and Canada: 1-800-564-7099
Ask for our Free Info Packet by email or postal mail!

SCLERO.ORG is the world's leading nonprofit for trustworthy research, support, education and awareness for scleroderma and related illnesses.

We are a service of the nonprofit International Scleroderma Network (ISN), which is a 501(c)(3) U.S.-based public charitable foundation, established in 2002. Meet Our Team, or Volunteer. Donations may also be mailed to:

The most important thing in the world to know about scleroderma is sclero.org!