Welcome to the Citrus Valley Interstitial Cystitis
Support Group Website. This website is dedicated to bringing order and
control to your life if the medical conditions labeled "Interstitial
Cystitis" (IC) and/or chronic pelvic pain is your diagnosis. Your
interest in the information offered by this website is based on the need to find
direction in a wilderness of information about IC.
You are visiting the right website if:
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You know that your urinary tract pain and misery has
been discounted, ignored, labeled neurotic, or plain crazy. |
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You have been told that prayer is your only answer. |
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You have been told to " Learn to live with
it." |
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You know the location of all the bathrooms in your
area. |
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You can't remember when you last slept through the
night. |
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You don't even mention sexual relations. |
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You know depression has become a part of who you are. |
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You feel no one understands, so you suffer in silence. |
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You can't keep denying you have a problem. |
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You know that your career and/or relationships are
being compromised. |
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You can see the wild look of desperation in your eyes. |
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You are ready to learn to understand your
diagnosis and control your symptoms. |
Who we are:
In February of 2000 five people met at Foothill Presbyterian
Hospital in Glendora, California to explore whether a support group could help
in dealing with the urinary tract problems of bladder dysfunction.
As we begin our third year of support group meetings, we have over one hundred and fifty
members who have taken the help and direction offered by our twice a month
meetings.
Our Citrus Valley Group has moved forward with success
because we have used education as the foundation for finding answers to our
individual problems. We explore the challenge of IC, the partnerships
needed, and the commitment required to regain the balance that is missing when
IC symptoms take over a person's life.
What we offer:
We offer hope by sharing what we have learned from the practical
experience of dealing with the challenge of taking control over a condition that
can have such devastating impact on our lives. Unfortunately, bladder
membrane dysfunction waves no clearly visible flag to guide the general medical
profession to the proper diagnosis. IC symptoms can mimic and cross over
many disease lines. We appreciate the frustration that grows when a person
bounces from doctor to doctor looking for solutions. We have come to the conclusion that each of us is responsible for our own
progress. The magic is in learning how to control bladder dysfunction, and
not have bladder dysfunction control us.
In this website we offer answers to some
frequently asked questions in our FAQ section. You
can see the progress of patients in our Success page,
as well as their story and how they achieved their success If
you would like to come to one of our
meetings you will find Meeting Dates, Times and Directions. In our
Self-Help section you will find comments, rescue
techniques, and diet information learned from our
support group. At the Doctors Corner you will find
insightful information. We have provided some Useful Links to help in your research on
interstitial cystitis. You may also Contact Us to gain additional
information.
