IC & Lupus

[ngazerro]

I just found out that I had IC. I did the hydro on tuesday and it confirmed it. I have been feeling bad all week and really depressed. I was wondering if there is any link to Lupus from IC. I have felt like I have had Lupus for the last year but I don't think my Doctor really look into it. I have had my gallbladder & ovaries removed in 2006, and then I had a mass removed in Dec. 06 that grew where my ovaries were. I never felt better, so he finally sent me to a uroglist. Tuesday he said I have IC. I also have raynauds. I was just wondering if anyone knew a conection between the two?

[armslee]

They are both autoimmune diseases. Many IC'ers have similar autoimmune diseases like Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Rhuematoid Arthritis....
I am sure there are plenty more out there.

Just adds to the theory that IC IS an autoimmune disease.

[curlycue]

IC and Auto immune disease

It stinks that we have so messsed up Systems.

[ngazerro]

It does stink that our bodies do this. I am just trying to get used to the idea of what I really have. The IC diet seems overwhelming.

[sweetangel2080]

hi ngazzero,
I think there are a few people who have lupus and IC. I think many of us have other autoimmune diseases but it is not proven that there is a link as some people with IC do not have this link etc.

It may be that all the no-no foods on the IC diet don't affect you so it could be a good idea to try an elimination fo thos foods and then bring them back in slowly to see which affect you.
I didn't do that all, but did keep a note of what i had ate if I felt bad IC wise etc. The things that I noted were bad and definitely noticed increased symptoms after, I avoid.

Some people find that foods do not affect their IC.

The main worst foods tend to be tomatoes, acidic fruits and drinks etc, caffeine and alcohol. Even when my IC was under control and feeling really good, could only tolerate a little of one of the bad foods and no more....

Many people find with avoiding these foods, they can have more control over their IC symptoms. It is also a good idea to build up a IC toolkit- ie things to do when you have a flareup. I found this really helped my flareups as before being diagnosed with IC, I used to have periods of unexpected and out of the blue frequency etc at the most awkward times and thought there was nothing I could do and was just nature or a small bladder.

Now in a flareup, I know to take bicarb of soda in water to alkanise the urine and decrease burning or discomfort and pain and to take a painkiller for the pain and this also helps my bladder in general. I also use a heating pad to calm down the pelvic floor muscles and hence frequency for me. If not on abdomen area, find heat between legs helps too. I also take a pyridium tablet or AZO if out and about or if frequency related to flareup gets really bad.

I also keep a book aside to read to distract me if I have a flare in the middle of the night etc.

These things really help me as my IC had got better with traditional meds like Elmiron and ditropan etc, but for some reason have been really bad for 6 months now yet these coping mechanisms have made things bearable and now with meds and self help, I am slowly getting back to getting IC under control.

I know some people who take elavil nightly (like I do, this has been the thing that has helped me get back on track the most - from constant urgency all day long to some relief so I can do day to day things) some people who take it nightly, increase their dose when they feel worse with the approval of their doctor.

There are many here and a lot more people who are doing great and hence don't feel the need to come to a support group like this - lots of people with either the diet or meds, do really well.

I hope you find the right combination of meds/diet/self help techniques to help your IC. you may find that you are much better after diagnosis than before!

[ngazerro]

Thank you for the information. I have been really bummed. I had the hydro on tuesday and that confirmed the IC. I never spoke with my doctor because I was out. He told my husband. The only thing he put me on was percets for pain and than I see him on the 12th of March. I have been in pain all week. I guess when I see him on the 12th, he will put me on some meds. I really don't like taking the pain pills because they make me depressed. I started changing my diet. I am also trying to quit smoking because I know I hurt more when I smoke..Hard habit to stop...

Thanks again

[~*~Christine~*~]

I've been wondering the same thing, too, since my mom has Lupus and fibro so I guess I inherited autoimmune problems from her