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# <center>It greatly saddens me to report that Elavil is not an option.</center>
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http://i.imgur.com/20qR9Df.jpg

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For some people who take elavil for IC it causes retention which worsens IC symptoms by making voiding very difficult. I ended up with much worse symptoms after a week of using it even though I started being more strict with my diet and cutting out all acidic foods. I knew this was a possibility going into it but I had hoped to be one of the people who got great relief of symptoms when taking it rather than people whose IC worsened. Loss of money and now I have all these dumb pills. >_> 

## Don't worry I am not giving up. 

I think I am hard-wired to never give up. I may get discouraged and lost but as long as I am alive I will keep fighting to have a life that I can actually partake in. Currently, this is not the case. I am still completely room-bound due to overwhelming, painful, debilitating symptoms. But I am more determined than ever to overcome them. I have moved my research onto what I can do at home. I will go to whatever lengths needed to find myself some relief. Nobody should live in constant physical pain, unable to leave their home. I'm going to get my life back. I'll tell ya H'what. 

http://i.imgur.com/vWAwyqs.jpg

## So, what's the next step? 

Well, there are multiple things left for me to try. I cannot currently get to a doctor still so I will have to be crafty in the mean time. I found out from @healthiswealth, who suffered for 8 years from IC, that I can actually give myself bladder instillations at home. This isn't even something *crazy* and scary but actually something doctors will often advise patients to learn when the appointments are too much for them. I can buy catheters and DMSO online. This can be a long, and sometimes, painful process but I have heard of people going into full remission after a few months of instillations so there is no way it is being overlooked. I personally plan to dilute it with sterile water.  

Aside from that, I also found out some people have amazing results from certain drugs such as, surprisingly, xanax. Now, obviously this cannot be a long-term solution but it could give me relief enough to go out and handle appointments and get on the right track. So, I will experimenting with different things until I find something that gives me relief enough to tackle my days. I will then use them sparingly on days I plan to go out. Oh boy! The thought of going outside for a day? I can't even remember my pre-IC life clearly. I know I walked for hours and hours and biked for miles but it's such a foreign concept to me now after years of suffering. When I go out now it's horrendous, painful, and very rushed. 

So, here I am. Trying the next thing. Off to the drawing board. I can't lie and say I am not at all upset at this outcome but I am glad I am getting so proactive and not letting anything stand in the way of me and my health. I **will** find relief. It is just a matter of time, trials, and tribulations. 

*I'll do an update next time something changes or I try a new method for relief.* 

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