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My name is Melissa and I am 38 years old. I started having bladder pain at the age of seven. Every time I went to the doctor for a urine culture, the results would always come back negative for infection. At the age of eight, I had surgery to “repair” my bladder and alleviate the constant urge to urinate, pain and incontinence. Still, nothing helped. Years of drinking cranberry juice and taking needless antibiotic treatments finally came to an end when my OB/GYN referred me to a urologist. When I first heard the diagnosis “Interstitial Cystitis”, I was skeptical. I immediately went home and researched it on the internet to see what the heck this meant for me. I was amazed and stunned! Most of all, though, I was relieved! I now knew why I hurt and why antibiotics never worked. My diagnosis of IC came three years ago and I’m now on daily Hydroxyzine and Amitriptyline. In addition, I receive Toradol injections when I’m having a severe flare. This condition affects almost every aspect of my daily life, but I am blessed to finally have it under control. I’m also thankful for a loving family who supports me.

Melissa