I know this is probably an idiotic question. I understand about acid, etc. making it worse, but what happens with stress to make the IC so bad? I really want to understand this.
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Why does stress make it worse?
treatment:
-I follow the IC diet to the letter
-acupuncture and chinese herbs
-Prelief
-UTA
-instillations as needed
-beginning yoga and specialized yoga for breathing and relaxation
-Wellbutrin
-Klonopin
main symptoms: pain and burningTags: None
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Good question! I would like to know that too.
I suppose there could be some sort of subconscious muscle tightening going on which puts pressure on the bladder. But I wonder if stress doesn't create some change in body chemistry?
Hopefully someone in the know will reply to this question.
Vicki"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have."
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I think you're right, it's probably the muscle tightening. I know when I'm stressed my stomach muscles tighten up, so imagine they all do to some extent. Just MHO!!Katie-46 yr old female dx'd with IC after 15 years of symptoms off and on long term antibiotic use, GERD,IBS and now IC diet, gallbladder removed, endometrial ablation w/tubes tied
Lexapro-20 mg
Aciphex
Ambien-as needed
Percocet-7.5 up to 3 per day as needed
Valium-10 mg x2 per day
Phenergan-1 at night
Prelief w/everything
Now recovering from acute pancreatitis
Currents treatments that help somewhat:
Heating pad
Hot baths
Ice
Being VERY still while lying down with legs elevated
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Great question! I always think about when someone gets really frightened or scared they sometimes pee their pants. There must be a link between nerves and our bladder/bowels. Since my whole IC debacle started I've been reading a lot about what could possibly cause this. I keep going back to TCM and think I've gotten much better answers this way than from Western medicine. I was never, ever into TCM before this but I think Western medicine lets a lot of people with these kinds of illnesses down or pumps us full of pills. I think Western medicine definitely has it's place as when I was first experiencing symptoms I absolutely needed low dose klonopin/elavil!! Now that I'm much calmer and not so scared out of my mind my symptoms have greatly decreased. That or I'm used to them nowAll I know is that there is a link in TCM between stress and it causing all sorts of illness. My best friend's cat has IC and it's symptoms are now controlled with anti anxiety meds and diet. I am going to be starting tai chi and continuing with physical therapy and acupuncture as they've also helped a ton. I am on the lowest dose of elavil and klonopin but will be trying to wean of those as well. My heart aches for those suffering horribly with this. All I know is that stress was my biggest trigger and until you can control the anxiety/stress you can't get a handle on this beast.
Rachael
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I think its the muscle also;when I get stressed my tummy pooches out and, feels tight I flare till I calm down.
Which is very difficult to do in my situation, my husband leaving me and all my surgerys I have to have.
Wish me well and pray because,I have a surgery this wednesday.<center>
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Linda,
Have you spoken with your pcp about something to help you with anxiety? I am sure that if you let them know about the major life changing situation you are in he/she would give you something to help you with the severe anxiety right now.Link to the patient information, everything from What is IC? to Disability
http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html
American Urological Association Clinical Guideline
Diagnosis and Treatment of Intersitial Cysitis/Painful Bladder Syndrom
http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
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Actually stress can cause a worsening of discomfort with any physical condition: arthritis, asthma, headache, TMJ, muscle soreness, and on and on. When we become stressed, our muscles can tighten and sometimes we even become shaky.
DonnaStay safe
Elmiron Eye Disease Information Center - https://www.ic-network.com/elmiron-p...mation-center/
Elmiron Eye Disease Fact Sheet (Downloadable) - https://www.ic-network.com/wp-conten...nFactSheet.pdf
Have you checked the ICN Shop?
Click on ICN Shop at the top of this page. You'll find Bladder Builder and Bladder Rest, both of which we are finding have excellent results.
Patient Help: http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html
Sub-types https://www.ic-network.com/five-pote...markably-well/
Diet list: https://www.ic-network.com/interstitial-cystitis-diet/
AUA Guidelines: https://www.ic-network.com/aua-guide...tial-cystitis/
I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you. [3MG]
Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool
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Stress doesn't bother my IC, maybe that points to some PFD? Not sure. I'm not saying stress doesn't effect me! I have TMJ and IBS. My TMJ definitely gets worse when I'm under stress, good thing I have that night guard since I clench my teeth when I sleep! Also, when I'm under unhappy stress I totally lose my appetite, get nauseas and sometimes have diarrhea.Cindi
Gelnique for frequency/urgency - works great
Macrobid after sex
Prilosec, continuous birth control pills
synthroid .088mg, mucinex-d, restasis
Supplements: Desert Harvest Aloe vera, Cysta-q, prelief, magnesium and calcium, Vit D, flaxseed oil
Diag Mild IC Jan 11 but have had symptoms for 25 years. Also have GERD, TMJ, IBS-C, chronic dry eye syndrome, hashimotos thyroiditis, non-allergic rhinitis.
IC Diet Link: http://www.ic-network.com/diet/2009icdietlist.pdf
AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC overview- http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=571592
AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC PDF: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
Great treatment flowchart on page 19 of the pdf
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stress makes anything worse unfortunately. i hope all goes well on your surgery wed linda.Newly IC diagnosed as of February 2011.
Medications I'm on that seem to work:
Zoloft- one once a day
Butrans pain patch 5 mcg (THANK GOD FOR WHOEVER INVENTED THIS!SO MUCH PAIN RELIEF ITS UNREAL,I AM IN NO PAIN AT ALL UNLESS I STRESS OR SCREW UP ON THE DIET)
Failed Meds:
Elmiron-after 4 months,digestive side effects got to be too much
tramadol-allergic
DMSO treatments(5-6)
probiotics
THERAPIES:gardening,cooking,IC Diet,Counseling,Lots of warm baths,stress reduction,heating pad or ice packs,meditation/deep breathing,listening to relaxing music,having fun on pain free days,drinking chamomile or peppermint tea,pelvic floor physical therapy
AROMATHERAPY-candles,incense
Village Naturals Aches and Pains Peppermint Bath Salts
Johnson and Johnsons Lavender Melt Away Stress Body Wash/Lotion
ACUPUNCTURE/HERBS
Significant pain relief so far.
MAY TRY:yoga,swimming/hydrotherapy and anti-candida diet if i can kick my sugar addiction
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***TO MY IC SISTERS AND BROTHERS:WE ARE OUR OWN ADVOCATES!,PLEASE DO AS MUCH RESEARCH ON YOUR OWN AS POSSIBLE AND TRY DIFFERENT TREATMENTS TO GET WELL.NOT ONE TREATMENT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.MOST IMPORTANTLY,TRY TO KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE,DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM NEGATIVITY/NEGATIVE PEOPLE AND NEVER,EVER GIVE UP!***
Add me on facebook Angela Hasic
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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.
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Question How many of you feel like you are "high strung" or prone to stress? I know everyone has stress, but I come from a family of worriers, we all do it. I can't help it, even when I think I let something go, it is still in the back of my mind. I dream about it and can't let things go easily. I feel like I HAVE to worry about it or it won't get better, or fixed, no matter what the problem is. I know I shouldn't do it but I can't stop.
I was just wondering if many of us are like that too.
SandraLink to the patient information, everything from What is IC? to Disability
http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html
American Urological Association Clinical Guideline
Diagnosis and Treatment of Intersitial Cysitis/Painful Bladder Syndrom
http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
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Me too...Kadi
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I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.
------------------------------------------------------
New favorite quote: "God gives us only what we can handle. Apparently God thinks I'm a bad-ass" ~Author Unknown
Source - Pinterest
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Current treatments:
-IC diet
-Elavil 50mg at night
-Continuous use birth control pills (4-5 periods/year)
-Heparin/Marcaine/Sodium Bicarb home instills at night 3-4x per week, more often if needed
-Pyridium if needed,
-Pain medicine at bedtime daily, as needed during the day several times per week
-Antibiotic when doing an instillation to prevent UTI
-Colace & SmartFiber to treat chronic constipation from meds, Fleet enema as needed
-Dye Free Benadryl 50 mg at bedtime
-"Your Pace Yoga: Relieving Pelvic Pain" dvd, walking, treadmill at gym
-Managing stress= VERY important!
-Fur therapy: Hugging the cat!
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Originally posted by cmclien View PostStress doesn't bother my IC, maybe that points to some PFD? Not sure. I'm not saying stress doesn't effect me! I have TMJ and IBS. My TMJ definitely gets worse when I'm under stress, good thing I have that night guard since I clench my teeth when I sleep! Also, when I'm under unhappy stress I totally lose my appetite, get nauseas and sometimes have diarrhea.Katie-46 yr old female dx'd with IC after 15 years of symptoms off and on long term antibiotic use, GERD,IBS and now IC diet, gallbladder removed, endometrial ablation w/tubes tied
Lexapro-20 mg
Aciphex
Ambien-as needed
Percocet-7.5 up to 3 per day as needed
Valium-10 mg x2 per day
Phenergan-1 at night
Prelief w/everything
Now recovering from acute pancreatitis
Currents treatments that help somewhat:
Heating pad
Hot baths
Ice
Being VERY still while lying down with legs elevated
Comment
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I'm surprised your dentist didn't know you can be a clencher and not a grinder. I had a number of crowns done because I was damaging my teeth that way. I actually really like the nightguard because it gives me something to clench on besides my teeth! I hope they made you one. If my nightguard is off I get terrible jaw and neck pain.Cindi
Gelnique for frequency/urgency - works great
Macrobid after sex
Prilosec, continuous birth control pills
synthroid .088mg, mucinex-d, restasis
Supplements: Desert Harvest Aloe vera, Cysta-q, prelief, magnesium and calcium, Vit D, flaxseed oil
Diag Mild IC Jan 11 but have had symptoms for 25 years. Also have GERD, TMJ, IBS-C, chronic dry eye syndrome, hashimotos thyroiditis, non-allergic rhinitis.
IC Diet Link: http://www.ic-network.com/diet/2009icdietlist.pdf
AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC overview- http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=571592
AUA 2011 Guidelines to diagnosing and treating IC PDF: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
Great treatment flowchart on page 19 of the pdf
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I have cracked several of my teeth from clenching. I don't have a night guard but I really need one. I have clenched my teeth for as long as I can remember. I can't chew gum at all because it hurts my jaws.Link to the patient information, everything from What is IC? to Disability
http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html
American Urological Association Clinical Guideline
Diagnosis and Treatment of Intersitial Cysitis/Painful Bladder Syndrom
http://www.auanet.org/content/guidel...ent_ic-bps.pdf
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