HOLDING IT TOO LONG

[bellbottom_blues]

I think my IC was caused by having to hold it too long because I couldn't urinate.

[pwalker]

I think mine was caused by the birth of my children. I did not have any syptoms of this until I had my girl. Then especially after I had my son. Not only did I have IC to deal with. I have had 5 Kidney Stones, Migriane headaches, asthma and etc.

[sapp]

you know the more i study ic the more i think that it is caused by pelvic floor dysfunction. so many of us had painful and tramatic childbirths. i know that i did with my first child. never had bladder problems until about three years later. i think alot of us have held urine a long time due to "not wanting to go at school" or taking trips as children. my parents would cart us on a trip just about every weekend and itt was always "go to the bathroom before you leave" or we are not stopping until lunch or later. i was always constantly holding it then not being able to empty without the pushing method. we all know this leads to pvd. maybe we learned at a young age to hold it and go when it was on our terms. this led to the bladder not emptying and led to infections then to the famous cycle of antibiotics which eventually didn't work because the bladder was not empyting correctly. i found myself starting this with my own children saying go before we leave and one day i said its not worth it we can take 2 minutes out of our schedule to go to the restroom. i even had a dr. say she thought that pvd caused by voiding problems causes ic and i really believe her after all the research i have done on this. to me it just makes sense like a downward cycle that leads to ic.

[darlene]

If holding it too long caused IC, it would be far more common. Just about everyone, at some time or another, has had to hold it much longer than they would have liked. There is something different about us, probably genetic, that causes chronic inflammation, and the failure of our bladders to heal on their own.

[bellbottom_blues]

I hate when I feel the urge to urinate and I can't go. I still think it caused my IC. I can't think of anything else that could have caused it.

[mas]

I also believe that my IC began after a stressful time in my life. I was so busy working that I would hold it for hours. This happened many times, and I feel that all the toxins in my body destroyed the lining of my bladder. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. [img]wink.gif[/img]

[songbird7]

I think a combination of taking antibiotics too often because I couldn't leave work often enough to have it checked out if I had a bladder infection or not. So the doctor assumed low grade infection and I'd call for antibiotics. I think they started fighting either my immune system or my body somehow. Also the birth of one of my children.

[sapp]

has anyone have any thoughts on this on-maybe the bladder infections lead to antibiotic abuse then this set up the major yeast problems maybe yeast entered the bladder but the antibiotics just set you up for more yeast. i read somewhere that a yeast infection in the bladder was the hardest thing to get rid of. i know that my uro never took a culture of my bladder and i have been to 8 uros. plus 2 gynos. i really find this hard to believe. usually when they do a cysto or hydro do they do cultures. it just might cause us alot less problems. i have been on diflucon for 10 months. i'm just wondering if it is the diflucon or the elmiron that is helping.

[rnewman]

Well although I too have NO idea what exactly caused it, for ME there are two things I think: one is all the CRAP I put in my body- all the meds I have been on, all the crap thats in food, all the NUTRA SWEET...I chewed a pack of trident gum A DAY in high school and I think that had something to do with it. Number two, if it is indeed autoimmune, and therefore caused by a virus, I can think of a few viruses I had a few years ago- one that sent me to my doctor unable to keep anything down, the worst 24 hour virus I have ever had, but the frequency started sometime that year and it was a real slow progression and I wasnt diagnosed until this year (2 and a half to three years later.) so who knows? Now if is IS autoimmune....I would like to take a poll- who out there has Diabetes Type 1- Insulin Dependant- and also type two, non-inuslin dependant- and any other autoimmnue diseases? Thyroid Problems? I should just create a study.....
All responses aprreciated!
Rachel

[[email protected]]

I've had IC for over 2 years (I'm 40). I think mine is related to a few things, one being an autoimmune problem as I have hypothyroidism, and endometriosis. Another possible cause is that I didn't have this until after having a laprooscopy for the endo in June 98. The 3rd thing is definitely pelvic floor dysfunction. Although I feel great on all my meds, I will have a mini flare lasting a few hours whenever I feel these muscles tense up, for instance if constipated.

[CAO]

Hi i'm new to your site, i was diagnosed in my early 30s with IC,i'm now 44 anyhow i was wondering if anyone has questioned caffeine as the culprit.
I have been addicted to pepsi since age 12(i know it's a killer on my bladder)
Also think it may be heriditary as my sister has cystitis and my uncle had bladder cancer

Just a thought
Nice to have a place to express where others understand [img]smile.gif[/img]

[sapp]

i have hypo thyroid and endometrisis too!
i have been on thyroid meds since i was 13 i am now 40

[rnewman]

I ask because the accupuncturist I am seeing questioned my thyroid....I have had tests run before, always only a TSH and always normal...as a naturopath she told me to take my basal body temp every morning in bed (basically, before you even MOVE) and if its 97.4-97.6 or below, a naturopath would suspect a thyroid problem and treat it. I am usually around 97.2. I dont know what to do if my labs come out normal! I wonder if these are all related.....the endo, the IC, the thyroid....hmmmm. Any ideas? and anyone else??
Rachel

[sapp]

rnewman, you really need to have this checked out by a endocrnologist. the are more test for the thyroid then the basic t3 and t4. ther are also free t3 and free t4. also he would test you at different times of the month a compare your levels. if you feel you are hypo thyroid the most common symptoms are constipation,cold hands and feet, purple or red streaks on your legs when really cold,also one they don't tell much is eyebrows grow full at the start and at the end there is not much hair at all. i can usually just look at someone and tell if the are hypo thyroid.
the tyroid scales are in such a large range. you can be tested in the normal range at low and the drs will tell you you are normal. well it might not be normal for your body. i think you have to go on symptoms and really talk to a endo that knows this.

[sapp]

neugass i sent you a e-mail today i hope it helps. if i can help again fill free to private message me
thanks again martha