You Don't Have to Live with Cystitus RV

I suffered from recurrent bladder infections and the excrutiating symptoms even without the presence of bacterial infection for many years. I had massive long term antibiotic therapy, surgical procedures and saw several urologists - all without relief. My mother gave me this book in 1988 and I am so grateful to her and to Dr. Gillespie. This book changed my life! I now understand my condition and can manage it. Many doctors are unaware of IC or believe it to be very rare (it's not as rare as they think!). I still get 1-2 infections a year, but that is heaven compared to what I used to suffer. I can't recommed this book highly enough!

As a medical student with bladder symptoms suggestive of interstitial cystitis, finding Dr. Gillespie's book was the best thing that has happened to me in the three years since i've had my symptoms! The information is accurate, up to date, and truly empowers patients with chronic illnesses to take control of their lives and break the vicious cycles of bladder problems that control so many women's lives. I use this book as a resource and guide book to living well with my disease and am now starting to employ her techniques with the help of my personal doctor who also praises her book for its accurate, common-sense, up to the minute information. The answers i could not find anywhere else are in this book. Reading it has changed my life!

Dr. Gillespie is a pioneer in women's health issues. This book details the miracles that Dr. Gillespie produced in her urological practice. I should know as I am one of the patients she described in the "fictional" narratives in the book based on actual clients and successful treatments. Dr. Gillespie stresses the importance of the patient gaining control of disabling bladder ailments and explains how. She treated her patients as enlightened individuals. In her book, her respect for medecine, appropriate diets, natural treatments, and inner strength underline all of her suggestions on how to live well with a chronic illness.

While I would not seek out Dr. Gillespie as my physician, having read the previous review, I still think this book is invaluable. So, find a competant physician specializing in female urinary problems and schedule the appointment, but go ahead and buy this book while you are waiting. Its explanation of normal and abnormal bladder function, explanation of various treatment/diagnostic options -- some horrible ones I wish I had refused, and some fabulous ones I would never had known to ask for had I not read this book -- and its discussion of foods and beverages that can lead to pain make this book invaluable. Its instructions on what to do with baking soda were well worth many times the price. If you get repeated UTI's or have chronic IC... you need to own this book.

I am the medical author of a book on kidney stones. Often, patients with cystitis can end up with struvite (or infection) kidney stones from frequent bladder infections resulting in kidney infections. These types of kidney stones have caused patients to die! Struvite stones can fill the entire kidney cavity. Dr. Larrian Gillespie's book is The #1 Resource for Women who want a better quality of life...and who want to separate fact from myth. If you are serious about preventing the continuation of this painful condition, then this book is for you! Dr. Gillespie is an outspoken advocate on women's health issues. Her understanding of the way women's bodies function, and the relationship of disease to nutrition makes this book a important addition to the intelligent woman's home library bookshelf. Also highly recommended for cnsumer medical libraries. I found the chapters and information on an anti-cystitis diet, an explanation of how anti-oxidants can help and a special chapter on how antibiotic treatment can affect your hormones outstanding. The book is also useful for understanding cystitis in children, during pregnancy and menopause. Dr. Gillespie's compassion for women, her wonderful sense of humor, and ability to teach patients in consumer-friendly language (not Dr. Speak!) make this THE book on cystitis!