IC, ? Endo, ? Adhesions - all post c-section

[Turtle25]

Eta: I'm 36, married, 3 kids. No other medical issues.


Hi everyone!

What a great forum! I've found so many of the posts to be very helpful.

Here is my story: I was just dx with IC on Friday. I have had ongoing pelvic pain since my third c-section in Nov 2008. My section took 2 hours due to severe adhesions. My uterus was completely stuck to my abdominal wall. Since then, my symptoms have included severe cramping, bloating, constant pelvic pain, tenderness in the abdominal area, etc. Recently, I started needing to pee ALL THE TIME. There have been times when I've had to get up 6-7+ times a night.

Other history: Dx in July 2010 with a 5.6 cm ovarian cyst. Resolved on it's own. Pain continued. Dx (not by lap) with endometriosis. Put on BCP. Symptoms not as severe, but still continue.

So, long story short, I saw my doc on Friday and she now thinks I have IC based on my symptoms. I am skeptical given all of my other issues. I requested that she do a laparascopic investigation of the area. She (or maybe a urologist??) is also going to do a cystoscopy.

So, now anxiously waiting the lap and cystoscopy. I just want this figured out!! Could IC be caused by the trauma of a bad c-section? And why would I suddenly have endo after NO history of it??? Ugh.

Thanks for reading!
Turtle (hanging out in my shell)

[Turtle25]

hello???

[ICNDonna]

My IC first reared its ugly head during my recovery from an abdominal hysterectomy. I honestly think it was already there, but the trauma of the surgery sped things up. I also had adhesions, which doubled the amount of pain I experienced. Once the adhesions were gone, the IC pain lessened considerably.

My IC was diagnosed back in 1975 and I started to feel better once we started treatments and I made some diet changes. At that time not much thought had been given to a diet connection so I learned on my own which foods & drinks are a problem. Of interest --- all of my triggers are in the Caution list, with the exception of garlic, which most ICers tolerate well.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[Claire_A]

It seems for some, once we have one thing it just makes everything else come out. I do think it possible that your c-section caused the IC to pop up.

I am unsure why Endo now when you have not had a history. I can only think the trauma of the C-section set it off, it seems some of us are so sensitive to trauma in the pelvic area. I have heard of lots of women having problems: PFD, IC, VV etc from surgery or something as seemingly harmless as as an infection.

PFD can also cause abdominal pain and C-sections can cause PFD so this may be worth looking into seeing as you have not had a lap to diagnose Endo.

I have never had regular periods. I have recently come off OBC and have had constant pain in the pelvis since. It feels like period pain but my period has not come yet. I don’t want to go back on the pill so we will see how things go.

I just add it to the list of problems 'down there'

This forum is the best place to start.

Claire

[Turtle25]

Thanks Donna and Claire. I'll be very interested to see what the lap and cystoscopy show. I feel like my doc has kind of been guessing. I just want her to go in there and really SEE what's going on!

I had a horrible night last night. Up 6+ times to pee. I have no pain with urination. Just frequency. Ugh. Speaking of which...

[Turtle25]

Claire - I had an anal fissure a couple of years ago. I had to have it surgically repaired. OUCH!!! Fortunately, I haven't had a problem since!