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Hi there! I am Elisabeth Yaotani, the founder of IC Wellness. I am so glad you are here!! Before getting started, please make sure you read our guidelines as we want this to be a safe and encouraging place for all.
I have had IC for thirteen years, but I am currently in remission. I have been married to my hubby for 25 years this May, and we have 3 grown children and 2 grandsons. We live in sunny San Diego, California, where the average temperature is 70 degrees. Our family spends a lot of time together and we are very close.
3 things about me:
1. My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice
2. In my spare time, I love hiking, reading, and hanging out with my family
3. I want to help others regain their health and get their life back1. Love VW campers 2. Have had IC for 10 years 3. Have a yorkie.
Hi Lorna! You are the first person to join our Forum! I wish I could give you a welcome hug in person. 10 years is a long time to suffer from IC, and I am sorry that you had to deal with it for so long. I would love to hear a little bit of your story if you feel like sharing it? I am glad you are here:)
Hello My name is Donna, I’ve had bladder issues for 18 years and IC since 2014. In July of 2017 I had a 5 month flare and I was desperate to find help. I finally stepped away from Western Doctors and picked up a book called solving the interstitial cystitis puzzle. Then I joined Instagram and a Facebook group called interstitial cystitis naturally Healing, it was the light I needed. I’m now working with a naturopath and changing my life one day at a time. My pain has reduced by 50% and I’m only 6 months into my healing journey. My passions are snowboarding, travel and food. If I could live anywhere in the world it would be Sydney Australia
Hi Donna! Thank you for sharing your story with me. It’s encouraging to hear that you are finding relief by taking a natural approach. I switched over to a naturopathic doctor (Dr. Jones) last year, and my only regret is that I did not make the switch sooner. I can not imagine being in a 5-month flare! Have you been able to pinpoint some of your triggers? Are there any supplements that you find incredibly helpful?
I love snowboarding, travel, and food as well!! I have never been to Australia, but I would love to visit there one day. Thank you for taking the time to share a little about yourself. Please share any info you feel could be helpful, and I wish you the very best on your journey to health and wellness~ Elisabeth
Hi All,
I shared my story on the other post topic. I am new to the IC world and working hard to get it solved. I am familiar with having medical issues that are not easily cured and am gearing up mentally to be patient and compassionate with my body. I have had a few chronic pain conditions and nerve issues. These make me actively work on loving my body rather than resenting it.
In my free time and when I am feeling well, I love rock climbing, hiking, painting, cooking, and traveling. I am a high school teacher for first generation students and am very passionate about helping others and social justice issues. I love spending time with my family and am very lucky to have a very supportive boyfriend. We have a lovely Husky, named, Luna. She sadly has been diagnosed with lymphoma lately, so we are enjoying every last moment with her that we get.
I really believe in the power of community and leaning on one another to get support and help. I have found that to be very helpful in my journey with health struggles.
With love and compassion,
Caroline
Welcome, Caroline I am so glad you are here! Your work sounds incredible, and I love how passionate you are about helping others feel excepted and valued. We definitely need more people like you in the world! We have some similar interests, but I have never been rock climbing, and I can’t paint to save my life, but I would love to learn. My husband and I just watched Free Solo on Saturday, and I was blown away! The strength and dedication it takes to rock climb are impressive, to say the least.
I am so sorry to hear about Luna, I know how hard it is to let go of a dog, and I hope that you are able to soak up every minute you have left with her. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to jump on here and share a little about yourself. Please let us know if you need anything!
~Elisabeth
Hi I probably should start with saying I am technologically challenged. 40 years ago I was diagnosed with SLE. I have been able to keep it under control most of the time. Last year I got. UTI. It took almost a year of antibiotics to find one that would kill the bacteria. I have been suffering with IC for months. Weekly instillations seem only to make worse. I am in constant pain. I need help getting my life back. Thanks
Hi Barb,
I am so glad you are here! I am totally with you on the “technically challenged” part- the struggle is real! So sorry that you have been going through so much with your health. I too did instillations -I did DMSO treatments for a few years, and it was awful (though I found Heprin was worse). It sounds like you have been through the wringer! I can definitely point you in the right direction, but the most important truth I can give you is that you have far more control over your health than you realize. The more information you gather and then apply, the sooner you will begin to feel your body heal. Right now your body is yelling at you, and we need to get it to quiet down and rest.Are you working with an integrative, functional, or naturopathic doctor? Your body is out of balance, and a good doctor will know how to identify the root causes. I also highly recommend working with a nutritionist that can customize your diet to bring about healing. Food is medicine, but finding out exactly what your triggers are can be challenging so having a nutritionist that can help you is best. Under Resources on my website is a drop down tab that says “Start Here.” If you are confused about what to do check out this page as I outlined the steps to take as well as what testings and supplements you may benefit from. Many of the supplements are available on Amazon. You can get your life back but you need to be patient and whatever you do…don’t give up. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Have a blessed day ~Elisabeth
I was diagnosed with IC 13 years ago! I have been able to keep it under control for the most part outside of a couple very bad stress flares that were beyond painful. Otherwise I had daily flares that I guess I just accepted and got used to….Until now! In Jan I got a horrible UTI that went undetected because I thought it was a horrific flare. I finally went to a walk in and had my urine tested snd they said I had a brutal UTI! Got on 2 rounds of antibiotics but still felt awful! Went to My primary for another test and they said I had another or the same UTI! Again, antibiotics! Finished those and thought I was feeling better and then bam….Burning and pain again! Went to another walk in and said I had a UTI and gave me yet again more antibiotics!!!! I didnt take them this time but was miserable! I started seeing a naturopath who started to treat me for a UTI. Next thing I know Im burning like I never felt before! Drive to the walk in clinic I had last gone to and demand to see my UTI results from previous visit! It turns out that there wasnt a UTI present at that time so I had gotten a wrong disgnosis! So I was in agony and desperate! And my naturopath was treating something I didnt have. My bladder reacted horribly to the one herb and I had to stop everything! The flare is still present and I cant function! Today I will ask to be put on temporary disability and Pray my doc will! Of course through all of this my Anxiety has gone off the charts and the stress it is creating is only making things much worse! As you know Im sure, stress in itself can induce a flare!!!! I feel like my life is over! Im so happy to have come across this site and your book!
Kym,
Thank you for reaching out and for sharing your story. I am still in complete shock…I can not believe you have been through so much. I am truly sorry that you were being treated unnecessarily for UTI’s with multiple rounds of antibiotics. I hope you are feeling better? There are a number of things you can try to help soothe the pain. I think the best place to start is on our website and find the Resources tab then click Start Here. This is where you will find information and recommendations on how to address IC head-on and restore balance. There is a plethora of information that I believe will help start you on the right path.I wish you the very best of luck and if you need anything else please do not hesitate to reach out~ Elisabeth
Hello everyone! I have been searching for answers for some time now. I was recently diagnosed with IC. I have been on antibiotics almost constantly for the last 6 years. I had transvaginal mesh surgery in 2006 and that is when my trouble reallyl began. I am wondering if that may have led to IC. Just trying to get my health back now.
I have always been extremely active. I live in the mountains with my husband and 11 year old daughter. Our passion is horses and I used to ride daily. I haven’t even attempted that in over 3 years. However, now that I have a “plan” (sort of) I look forward to being able to live my life to the fullest once again. I am 59 years old. I have nearly all the associated conditions related to IC, plus 2 heart attacks. So, I am ready to catch up!Shiela,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your health issues, and I am encouraged by your drive to regain your health so that you can continue doing the activities that you love. I wish you the very best of luck and please let us know if we can help in any way. Have a blessed day ~ elisabethHi Everyone
I am Susan. I live in the UK and am 52, diagnosed with IC in 2007.
3 facts about me :
1 I love to run and have ran several half marathons .
2 I am mum to a 20 year son studying animation at uni.
3 I am an art therapist working in the NHSI am really excited to have found this website Elisabeth, it looks great , so beautifully put together and so informative! Thanks so much!
My Story
I developed IC symptoms after being prescribed ciprofloxacin for a UTI in 2006. I have not had a UTI since and did not have a history of bladder problems before 2006. I have had a 4 year remission from 2008 till 2012, and two bad periods with symptoms since; 1st was the first 4 months of 2018 and 2nd since March this year. My recent flare up has been very tough and I believe triggered by a bad flu virus in Jan/ Feb and stress due to significant family illness. I don’t suffer with frequency or urgency only pain which is mainly urethral. I have tried numerous diets and don’t have particular trigger foods however totally believe good nutrition can play a major part with healing. I am keen to come off meds ( I take amitriptyline which I feel has stopped working as been on it so long ). I have acupuncture regularly which has always been a key part of my previous recoveries. I am determined to get well again , and would really value support and advice to reach my goal. Thank you !
Happy to share more of my story if anyone has any questions
Healing vibes to you all
Susan xSusan,
Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing a little of your story! I am always encouraged by those that have been able to stay in remission for extended periods of time because it offers hope. I am sorry to hear that you are in such pain and can definitely relate. I have just restarted acupuncture myself, and I am amazed at how beneficial it is to the body and mind and plan to stay with it long term.I would encourage you to get my book How I Got My Life back as it contains a wealth of info that will help you identify the root cause and tackle IC head-on. If you still have questions after reading the book, please do not hesitate to reach out. I wish you the very best~ Elisabeth
