Sleep helps IC?

[valkay18]

This is strange, but I have been sick for the past 2 days and have slept a TON. Since then, my IC has gotten tons better. I don't even feel my bladder at all, which is new for me. I am wondering if some of my pain is because I sit at a computer all day at work OR does the pain just get better the more sleep a person gets? It just seems odd that I've had a drastic improvement since I have gotten so much sleep....

Thoughts?

[statesboro]

I don't know what all to be thinking. (hmmm) Some IC'ers don't always get much sleep, but I have never read where an IC'er reported that getting proper sleep actually took some of the pain away.(as in sleep deprivation just might be adding more problems)(headaches, tiredness, etc) (as opposed to sleeping good)Of course, I sleep good, and I am still tired right now. At least, you have felt better. That is good for you. Yep!

[valkay18]

I don't know what all to be thinking. (hmmm) Some IC'ers don't always get much sleep, but I have never read where an IC'er reported that getting proper sleep actually took some of the pain away.(as in sleep deprivation just might be adding more problems)(headaches, tiredness, etc) (as opposed to sleeping good)Of course, I sleep good, and I am still tired right now. At least, you have felt better. That is good for you. Yep!

hmmm...I'm not saying sleep deprivation causes or worsens IC. (Although, it probably could since stress can impact it.) What I am saying is that no matter how much sleep I've had, if I sleep more (or maybe it's the act of laying flat), my IC symptoms improve. I am wondering if my issue has to do with PFD since lying flat seems to help me a lot.

[nanawaggs]

Hi, Valery ~ I'm not sure about the "sleep" part, but my husband has certainly seen a correlation between my pain level and excessive activity. For instance, I've been at the hospital with my Mom for the last 11 days (day and night), therefore pretty much off my feet....my IC seems sooo much better than when I spend a day say at Disneyland. I do think the rest helps reduce any irritation from movement but that's just my opinion.

I think I'd change my name to "Sleeping Beauty" and enjoy the pain relief while it lasts!

Blessings,

[Julie B]

Yes!!!

I found that as soon as I got my meds figured out and I could sleep, I felt much better. If I don't get enough sleep, my bladder is certain to be fussy. I sometimes just sleep 9 or 10 hours (including potty breaks) if I am feeling bad. It really does help!

[momw/ic]

When I first started seeing a pain management doctor the very FIRST thing he focused on even before my pain was my sleep. We moved out of state and my new doc here did the same thing. I definitely feel better when I get better sleep. I think part of it is like you said with the pressure off of the pelvic floor muscles and bladder. I'm guessing it helps with the stress of just dealing with IC everyday as well. Like Julie, I will also try to get better sleep when I am in a flare up as it does seem to help.

[kadi]

Sleep helps a lot with resilience which helps me keep the IC managed physically and emotionally. Lying down for a bit each day also takes the pressure off the pelvic floor muscles. I have also noticed when I have a bad cold, my IC seems to be better. My doctor says that's because if you hit your thumb with a hammer, you forget your headache, but I'm not sure. I wonder if it has something to do with the immune system being weakened and unable to attack my own body...

[songbird7]

I am retired and nap during the day and lie down and listen to comforting music. Sleep does help for me anyway
I like "fur therapy" pet the cat. I don't have one but this makes me smile which is good because I am flaring and it is calming down finally.
God bless everyone here and may we all be better.

[healingthoughts]

I wonder if it has something to do with the immune system being weakened and unable to attack my own body...

That makes a lot of sense Kadi, since some say IC is an autoimmune disease.

[greenredhead]

I do find that getting excessive amounts of sleep helps lessen my pain. Like sleeping 12 hours or more. Of course I have to get up and use the bathroom once or twice in that time. Sleeping that much doesn't happen that often but I'm glad when it does.

[Cindy-Lou]

Sleep helps

Sleep is definately a must for me, when I am deprived I feel terrible and my IC symtoms certainly increase. I think it's fair to say that everyone feels better with proper sleep but with any chronic illness such as IC I think it plays a key role in controlling pain.
It would make sense to need more sleep because many of us have so many interuptions through the night (for me usually 4 times) and then to get back to sleep is another story. (Poor quality sleep = need more sleep)
Also because that is a time when our bodies get to relax having constant pain causes tension which triggers even more pain so a little break when we can get a deep sleep really helps. (Does that make sense to you?)
I could easily stay in bed 10 - 12 hrs. just to feel somewhat normal.
Cindy-Lou

[greenredhead]

Sleep is definately a must for me, when I am deprived I feel terrible and my IC symtoms certainly increase. I think it's fair to say that everyone feels better with proper sleep but with any chronic illness such as IC I think it plays a key role in controlling pain.
It would make sense to need more sleep because many of us have so many interuptions through the night (for me usually 4 times) and then to get back to sleep is another story. (Poor quality sleep = need more sleep)
Also because that is a time when our bodies get to relax having constant pain causes tension which triggers even more pain so a little break when we can get a deep sleep really helps. (Does that make sense to you?)
I could easily stay in bed 10 - 12 hrs. just to feel somewhat normal.
Cindy-Lou

Great post Cindy-Lou! I totally agree.

[valkay18]

Sleep helps a lot with resilience which helps me keep the IC managed physically and emotionally. Lying down for a bit each day also takes the pressure off the pelvic floor muscles. I have also noticed when I have a bad cold, my IC seems to be better. My doctor says that's because if you hit your thumb with a hammer, you forget your headache, but I'm not sure. I wonder if it has something to do with the immune system being weakened and unable to attack my own body...

This is so true about being sick with a cold! I have had one now for several days, and I swear my IC has gotten tons better. I told my husband that same thing you said. My body is too busy fighting off this cold to attack itself. Sad but true!!

[valkay18]

Thanks for all of the responses! So, let me pose this to you. Since sleep does seem to relieve my pain, and we think it is related to resting the pelvic floor and bladder, could I maybe benefit from some pelvic floor therapy? I am not sure how doctors determine when that could help.

[Claire_A]

When I am sick I don't feel my bladder, I don't even have frequency?!

Sleep is the best thing. If I am in that much pain I just go to sleep and most times wake up feeling better.

I also feel a lot better on the weekend, away from my desk. On the weekends I don't sit at all

Ps, I think anyone with IC would benefit from getting their pelvic floor evaluated!