Question: Does Non-IC gyn surgery cause IC flares or increased symptoms.

[Qooty]

Hi, I am asking on behalf of my wife (IC Network member hollyd) as she can't sit long enough to type a message. I'm her secretary

We're wondering if anyone has had surgery of a gyn nature, unrelated to IC but while they have had IC.

If so, what effect did it have on their IC symptoms. Was there no reaction, or did it make their IC much worse, cause a flare or a general increase in symptoms. If i did cause a problem, was it temporary or ongoing, and if temporary, for how long did it last, and how severe was the reaction (and of what nature)?

They really don't know for sure whether fibroids are part or all of holly's problem and we are afraid that if it is IC only, that having major surgery (to remove fibroids) will make the IC worse, whether permanently or temporarily.

If anyone could answer a bit of the above it'd be most helpful!

Thanks!

Kev

[Roxie2007]

Hi.......

HI! I when I had my bladder sling surgery, and when I had my abdominal hysterectomy, each time my ic got worse. My surgeon said that whenever a bladder has to be manually moved (for a surgery etc...) it can make what ever bladder problem you are having, worse. I know that's not good news in your case. After both surgeries my frequency got much worse and so did my bladder spams and pain. Good luck........Roxie

[Qooty]

Thanks Roxie!

Can I ask whether these worsenings were longlasting or permanent or which? For how long was it worse?

And did it become horribly worse, or just somewhat?

Thanks!

[Roxie2007]

HI!
The trouble I had after my surgeries were long term.....I tried several different medications for the frequency and bladder pain after my bladder sling surgery. Nothing really helped. Then after my hysterectomy things got much worse and that's when the urethra pain started. I'd never had that pain before. The day after I can came home from the hospital after my hysterectomy my bladder stopped working all together and I had to be rushed back to the hospital for a 24 hr stay and have a catheter put in to drain my bladder and then it finally started working again. I think that's what really made my ic get worse.
It's much better right now, though I'm using Elmiron, Oxytrol patch, Elavil, Freeze dried AloeVera and the MSM gel. Roxie

[tigger_gal]

when I had my lap surgery in 2001 my symptoms of IC did increase.
When I had my hysterectomy in 2005 my IC seemed to get worse too. However, you should know I have been under a great deal of stress since my surgery, stress will create pain. We are all different, your wife may go in and have surgey and recover quickly without batting an eye at IC.

[ICNDonna]

I have a bladder sling and also had surgery to correct a rectocele. I had some soreness from both surgeries, but once I was healed from the surgeries, I am fine.

Has IC been ruled out for her? If not, that could be a good starting point.

Donna

[leelee88]

I had kidney stones removed and that is when I started having all my IC troubles

[toby75]

Any surgery, gyn related or not, during the surgery and however long after surgery that you are in the hospital and have a cathater inserted, can aggravate the bladder and cause an onset of a flare. Also having a cathater in during surgery and after can cause types of infections as well. Also all kinds of different anethestia meds and antibiotics they inject in you could irritate your bladder into a flare. When you are under, they are not so gentle inserting the cathater into your bladder either.

[toby75]

I re-read your original post and see that your wife has not have surgery yet to check/and or remove fibroids. I can tell you that I had a friend that just had surgery to have firbroids removed and months before she had surgery she was having bladder issues due to the fibroids. They were pushing on her bladder and causing symptoms similiar to IC. Once the fibroids were removed her bladder problems went away too, but she did not have IC.

So I don't know your wife's history with her bladder but if the fibroids are big or a lot of them they can put a lot of pressure on the bladder and cause a lot of problems. If this is the case then she could definitely see relief in her bladder symptoms by having the fibroids removed. If she also has IC, then more then likely if she has a flare after surgery, it could be very temporary, if surgery caused it. I would not worry about having IC symptoms flare because of the surgery, because IC flares are going to come and go regardless of the surgery.

Good luck with the surgery! Hope if gives her some relief!

Amy

[mary124]

I was in a very long remission before I had my hyster. in 2000. After that, my IC went downhill and I pretty much have stayed there since then. Sure, I've had my good days just as much as bad days... but as the others have pointed out when you have any type of gyn surgery it can aggravate your bladder.
Good luck to you and your wife.

[Qooty]

Thanks for all your responses! Doc is now suggesting the surgery is probably less necessary than first thought.

Appreciate the feedback!

[Moca]

Good idea!!! I had a hysterectomy 5 weeks ago due to fibroids, and my pain as well as frequency and urgency have increased; they are present 24/7. I hardly had any flares before the surgery, had them pretty much under control, but its been a nightmare ever since. I don´t know if it´s still part of the healing process (I´m really hoping it is), because I can´t take it much longer!!
I´m glad your wife´s surgery wasn´t really nesessary.
Good luck

[littlemyrn]

I also had a complete hysto thinking my pelvic pain would go away. Wrong. My IC had been dx 2 years before, but have had for a very long time, my symptoms also got worse and have stayed there, and I have been through all traditional treatment for IC. I hope your wife is doing ok. I think it is sooo cool you are asking for her, my now ex husband, did not have interest in helping me, didn't understand, or seem to want to. Way to go for being so caring. She is one lucky lady.

[Qooty]

Yep "good idea" is right by the sounds of it. Went to a gyn who specialised in fibroids (myos etc) and he said in his experience it just doesn't look like the fibroid could be the culprit. Anyone else ever noticed that uros and gyns can play tennis with their clients, almost like pass the parcel!

Anyways these last two posts will help holly feel even more satisfied that we've done the right thing by steering away from fibroid surgery. The last gyn has instead referred us down the pain management trail, which at this point is probably more appropriate.

Very sorry that your respective pain/flare issues have increased following surgery, and littlemyrn; sorry also to hear that you got so little support from your now-ex. My wife is now basically housebound except for taxi rides to doctors that leave her dreading the pain fallout of the next day, a vastly-reduced interaction with the outside world ... if there's one thing she needs its simply to not face it alone. Its pretty cold to close a door in the face of that.

Boards like this can help greatly too! She's got a laptop computer now, so might be able to post more (desktop PC required pain-causing sitting).

Thanks for all your info and kind words

Kev