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Giving hope to all those living with interstitial cystitis, as well as the healthcare providers and researchers who strive to improve the lives of IC patients

In the News

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Calling all Researchers: New Pain Funding Opportunity from NIH
A new funding announcement was released soliciting grant proposals from researchers in the pain field to stimulate and foster a wide range of basic, clinical, and translational studies on pain.
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The fall issue of ICA Update will soon be on its way to members
You don’t have to let IC limit your holiday menus and socializing. Read how a top chef is helping people with IC love their meals again. Get the holiday recipe secrets of IC diet experts. Shop for great holiday gifts for your IC friends and family.
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Fall 2009 Edition of Professional Perspectives Now Available
Instillations are changing; Customizable patient instillation instructions; and new IC CME. Learn about the latest in IC patient care in the Fall 2009 Professional Perspectives.
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The FDA wants to know: How are you disposing of your unused drugs?
The FDA recently launched a website for patients with information on how to dispose of certain drugs, many of which are commonly prescribed for IC. Are you medicines on the list?
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Cafe ICA e-Newsletter: October Issue Now Available
A new drug shows promise for IC patients. How are you disposing of your unused drugs? And the new ICA Quick Poll: How do you deal with eating out in a restaurant? All this and much more in the October issue of the Cafe ICA e-Newsletter.
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Pain Research Yielding Help for IC Patients
At the American Academy of Pain Management’s annual clinical meeting in Phoenix this month, providers learned how to integrate the latest traditional and alternative therapy into their practices.
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Give to the ICA -- without paying a cent!
Did you know that you can donate to the ICA just by surfing the internet and shopping online? Just click on this link and scroll down to “Surf the Web” to learn more! It’s safe, secure, and free to you!
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Help the ICA win $50,000 from Facebook!!
The ICA is entered in America's Giving Challenge, which gives us a chance to win $50,000!
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New Pain Drug Shows Promise in IC Patients
The nerve growth factor inhibitor tanezumab is showing great promise for knocking down IC pain. The ICA’s own Medical Advisory Board member, Robert Evans, MD, presented the results of the first proof-of-concept study in IC last week at the 20th Annual Clinical Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Management meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Pain Diaries: A Support Tool for Pain Management
Talking about pain with healthcare providers can be difficult. Keeping a pain diary can help patients keep track of their pain, enhance communication with their healthcare providers, and document progress.
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Does your employer participate in the CFC?
The ICA participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) through our federation membership in Medical Research Charities (MRC). Look for us under the MRC, pledge form #10578.
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Journal of Urology Outlines Pros & Cons of Potassium Sensitivity Test (PST)
In a recent issue of the Journal of Urology, Lowell Parsons, MD and Philip Hanno, MD offer opposing views about the PST.  Here's an overview of what they think.  Tell us about your personal experience with the PST.
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Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a condition consisting of pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort related to the bladder, typically associated with urinary urgency or urinary frequency. IC may also be referred to as painful bladder syndrome (PBS).

IC can affect women, men, and children of any age or race, but it is most commonly found in women. Three to 8 million women in the United States may have IC. That is about 3 to 6 percent of all women in the US. Approximately 1.5 million men have IC as well; however, this estimate is likely below the true rate because IC in men may often be mistaken for another disorder, such as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Many people with IC experience severe, chronic pain. Some feel like their insides are being cut apart with razor blades. Others compare the pain to red hot pokers stabbing at their pelvic area.

Revised September 3, 2009
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