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Who
is the IC or pelvic pain patient in this family?
It could be any member. While IC was originally thought t to be
a condition of post menopausal women, a startling number of male & female children, teens, and young adults are now being diagnosed.
Children
with IC may struggle to receive an appropriate diagnosis because
some doctors believe that noone under the age of 18 should be diagnosed.
Teenagers
with bladder symptoms often struggle with schools that don't provide
restroom access.
College
students may be unable to sit through classes and complete long
exams. A number have chosen to drop out.
For
the men and women in their 20's, IC can create obstacles
in their careers. Driving and commuting may be difficult if not
impossible. It may be difficult to sit comfortably at work.
Some
newly
married patients
face obstacles with their relationships and ability to have pain
free sexual relations.
Yet,
there is great hope. New treatments are constantly being explored
as researchers struggle, on a daily basis, to discover the mystery
of IC. For some patients, just a simple modification of diet may
reduce all of their symptoms. Others, however, may require additional
therapies.
The
American Bladder & Pelvic Pain Association, Inc. was begun because
we saw a desperate need for financial and low income assistance
for patients. Our goal is to provide resources that can help patients
through their diagnosis and therapies so that they can regain their
lives and feel confident about the future. Our first projects include
a low income assistance fund, a college scholarship fund for IC
patients, as well as an annual awareness week for painful bladder
syndrome.
Due to Hurricane Katrina, our LA office was evacuated and will be unavailable for many months. All US mail should be sent to:
American
Bladder & Pelvic Pain Association, Inc
c/o Jill Osborne
4983 Sonoma Highway, Suite L
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
BOARD MEMBERS:
Julie Godoy
Pam Pizzolatto (evacuated to TX)
Jill Osborne
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Hurricane Katrina Resources & Relief
Phone calls are now coming in from IC patients who need help finding new urologists, health care and support.
- IC patients evacuated to Lake Charles, LA should contact Jacqui Daigle at: 337-588-4586.
- IC patients evacuated to SE Texas (Houston, etc.) should contact Novetta Tudor (713-636-2401) or Cindy Sinclair (419-948-3710)
- IC patients evacuated to Dallas should contact Beth Ann McKinney (972-964-5884)
- IC patients Evacuated to San Antonio should e-mail Micki Autry at mickieautry@sbcglobal.net
Please support the American Red Cross and other organizations that are trying to help.
Patient
Education Resources
"A search of the
web will yield a wide variety of information on interstitial cystitis
and pelvic pain syndrome."
 Search
Google
Female
Patient - IC One Woman's Story
What
is Chronic Pelvic Pain of Bladder Origin
Living
with IC
Drug
Assistance
"Nearly
every drug company has special programs that can help low income
patients purchase medications and, in some cases, give them away
for free."
Helpingpatients.org
Rx
Hope.com
BenefitsCheckUpRX.Com
ICN
Drug Assistance Listings
RX
Assist
Disability
Information
"Some
IC patients have no choice but to file for disability. There are
a number of different disability programs that may be applicable!
A
Brief Guide to Disability Insurance - USA
SSA
Handbook
How
to Qualify
How
to Apply
Calculate
Benefit Amounts
 SSA
Announces New Ruling on IC
Food
Programs
"There's
no shame in asking for help to feed yourself, your children and your family.
In fact, if you go to most food banks, you'll see hundreds of families
and senior citizens who just need a little extra help. Learn about these
here. "
Find
a Local Food Bank (Second Harvest.Org)
Donate
to a Local Food Bank
USDA
Food & Nutrition Programs
Federal
Food Programs
Food
Stamps
National
School Lunch Program
School
Breakfast Program
Summer
Food Services For Children
WIC
- Low Income Pregnant Women
Child
& Adult Food Care Program
Share
Your Hunger Story
Home
Energy
"There
are a number of programs that can help patients pay for gas &
electricity."
Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Programs
Family
Resources
"There
are a number of resources for families who are struggling! Find them here."
Singleparentcentral.com
Administration
for Children & Families
Housing & Homelessness
"It's
sad but true that some patients fear losing their homes or, worse, have
lost them. Learn about resources here."
Housing
Programs
National
Coalition for the Homeless
If
you are homeless, help is available!
Homeless
Resources by State
Holiday
Assistance
"Holidays
can be tough when a family is struggling with financial problems and IC.
These programs can help create a joyful holiday season."
Toys
for Tots
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