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We accept orders by the web, voice mail and fax Orders By Phone: 707.433.0413 Orders By FAX: 707.538.9444 Patient Support & Information : 707.53.9442 |
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Receive the IC Optimist Magazine for as little as $20 a year. Read more about our subscriptions! |
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About Us & Contact Information
The Products We Sell and Why?
Privacy Policies & Disclaimer
Payment Methods
Store Security
The ICN Shop is the mail order division for the Interstitial Cystitis Network, a medical publishing company dedicated to pelvic and bladder pain disorders. We specialize in items that can be helpful for patients struggling with various pelvic pain disorders, including: interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, overactive bladder, painful bladder, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction and a host of related conditions. From the best books on the market to items that can improve your daily comfort, we travel to shows looking for items which we believe will give you encouragment and relief. Many of the items we carry came recommended by other patients who found them helpful.
The IC Network was founded by Jill Osborne (Santa Rosa, CA) in 1995. It is now a division of J.H. Osborne, Inc. While Jill still manages the overall operations, an extensive team of staff and volunteers work together to keep our company vibrant and resourceful. From writers & editors to an extensive team of support moderators, our strength comes from our experience as IC patients combined with a dedication to IC research and evidenced based medicine.
The ICN's Director of Marketing is Jill's sister, Janice Schmidt, who manages the day to day activities of this shop. Both Janice and Jill are happy to take questions about our various products and services.
ICN Shop Contact Information:
ICN Shop, PO Box 2159, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Phone: (707)433-0413
Fax: (707)538-9444
E-mail: shipping[a] ic-network.comICN Administrative Contact Information:
IC Network, 4983 Sonoma Hwy, Suite L, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Phone: (707)538-9442
Fax: (707)538-9444
E-mail: icnetwork[a]sbcglobal.netCan we visit the ICN Shop in Person?
The ICN Shop & Warehouse is not open to the general public though customers can visit the main ICN office in Santa Rosa to pick up orders and/or browser our catalogue. Please call in advance if you would like to pick up an order. The administrative office only keeps limited supplies of stock on hand. Hours of operation: 10AM to 5PM PST.
The ICN Shop has two levels of security which to prevent any type of credit card fraud. Our server is assessed daily by the HACKERSAFE Scan Alert service, a third party security firm now used by top retailers around the world. THe HACKERSAFE scans verify that our server meets the highest level of PCI integrity required by MasterCard and Visa.
Our shopping cart software uses SSL encryption technology provided by GEOTRUST to encrypt your information for your security. If you are uncomfortable placing your personal information on the web, we are happy to take your orders by phone or fax.
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The ICN Shop & Warehouse does not sell, distribute or release our customer data, email addresses, etc. to outside vendors. We believe that your privacy is essential. You can opt into the newsletter list for the IC Network and receive various monthly newsletters, special event announcements, product updates, clinical trial announcements & more. For further information, please use the sign up form on the front page of the ICN at: http://www.ic-network.com/
For a full statement of the ICN Disclaimer & Privacy Policy, please visit: http://www.ic-network.com/disclaimer.html
The ICN Shop began with our first two publications, the ICN Patient Handbook and Medical Records Kit, and has grown dramatically in the past ten years to include over one hundred items. We always welcome suggestions and ideas about new products that we can carry.
Books - We focus on educational materials that are produced by credible medical authors who have respect for safety and research, such as the IC Survival Guide written by Dr. Robert Moldwin. While there are certainly several patient written books on the market today, we believe that very few of these authors have a firm understanding of IC research, physiology and/or safety concerns and, as such, their books may have not met our strict review criteria. Two superb patient written books are devoted to the IC diet, including Bev Laumann's A Taste of the Good Life: A Cookbook for an IC Diet, Julie Beyer RD's book Confident Choices: Customizing the IC Diet. The ICN also produces our own educational materials such as the IC Optimist quarterly magazine.
Supplies - It was only natural to focus on items that could help ease daily discomfort. Our bladder friendly chair cushion, for example, was brought to us by a physical therapist who found that that its unique design made it possible for patients to sit more comfortably at work, in the car and at home. We also carry several heating pads, including one custom made for us to fit specifically over the pelvis. Restroom items continue to be popular. From using a toilet paper with no harsh chemicals to traveljohns, our customers are often excited to learn that they can travel comfortably by using portable restroom items.
Foods - Because IC patients often struggle with foods that can irritate the bladder (such as coffees, juices, etc.), we began looking for more bladder friendly foods such as herbal coffees, low acid coffees, low acid fruit products (i.e. pears, blueberries) and more. With chocolate a forbidden food and leaving chocoholics in despair, we're particularly delighted with the carob products and candies that we've found that are much easier to tolerate. We're also delighted with the baking mixes that we've found, particularly the Dr. Oetkers Organics Line.
Please note, however, that patients have very individual diet tolerances and demands. While we strive to find products that can be comfortable for most, we cannot guarantee that the foods will be bladder friendly for everyone. There are simply too many individual factors which determine our diet sensitivity. We also strongly encourage anyone in an IC flare and/or struggling with discomfort to avoid all foods that can be bladder irritants, such as coffee. Check that individual category for more information, as well as the ICN Patient Handbook's Chapter on Diet and IC.
Supplements - We reluctantly began selling supplements in 2000 out of sheer frustration. Many patients were simply unable to afford the outrageous expense of various therapies. Elmiron, for example, can cost $300 a month for an uninsured patient. Luckily, three companies came forward with products that were supported by various research studies and clinical trials as being helpful for the bladder and/or prostate, including: Farr Labs (Makers of CystaQ and ProstaQ), Algonot (Makers of Algonot, Cystoprotek & Prostaprotek), and Desert Harvest Aloe. To help patients make more informed decisions about supplements, what they are believed to do and the individual research studies supporting their use, we also invited the various researchers to participate in the ICN Guest Lecture Series. These transcripts can be printed and shared with your physician. If you are considering the use of supplements, please review these lectures and then discuss this with your medical care provider. Only that licensed medical professional should advise you on what treatments you should take.
DISCLAIMER - Please note that "over the counter" supplements do not undergo the rigorous review required by the FDA for medications. The ICN Shop & IC Network do not make any health claims regarding any of the products we distribute. We are not health care professionals. The content on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with all good health measures, it is important for an individual to be under the routine care of a physician and to follow the directions of qualified health care professionals. The statements on this website regarding supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Credit Cards:
We accept Visa, MC, Discover or Amex.We do NOT accept large credit card orders from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and/or other countries involved with various internet scams. When we receive orders of this type, we routinely discover that they involve stolen credit card numbers and fake IDs. Each of these are reported immediately to the credit card service in question for further investigation.
Checks & Money Orders:
Check orders can be made within this ordering system. Simply select the items you wish to order into your shopping cart. Click the check out button, then the place your order button. This system will then ask for your full name and address. At the payment screen, simply click "Print Order." You can then send in your printed our and check to our shop. Users who give us bad checks will be assessed a $25 processing fee before any additional checks and/or orders will be shipped. Luckily, this rarely happens!Checks & Money Orders should be made out to: IC Network! Please mail your orders & returns to the address above.
Updated: May 30, 2008- JHO