Professional Athletes with IC?

[Josh85]

Here's something I've been trying to figure out.

It seems that, with the relatively common incidence of IC, some professional athletes would be bound to develop it at some point during their careers. It also seems that, given how hard professional athletes push and how much they demand of their body and muscles, that IC would cause some of these athletes to cut their careers short or at least take a break, considering how even a moderate exercise can aggravate things for a lot of us.

However, I can't recall ever hearing of a professional athlete being affected by IC. I wonder if this because a) they simply use cover stories, or b) there is something about being an elite athlete that prevents IC, or c) something else?

[musiclover]

When I do cardio exercise, after about 10 to 15 minutes my IC feels a lot better. So if you're exercising all the time, my guess is that maybe it could help reduce the risk of developing IC. Who knows. But my guess is that some athletes probably have developed IC and they just don't announce it to the world.

[Julie B]

Very interesting observation.....I wonder if Jill has ever talked to anyone...

[KatieB]

My PT looked at my lack of muscle and told me "Ya know, we've got to build up your muscle tone all over your body. I never have IC/PFD patients here who have lots of muscles". Hmmm...

[Josh85]

When I do cardio exercise, after about 10 to 15 minutes my IC feels a lot better. So if you're exercising all the time, my guess is that maybe it could help reduce the risk of developing IC. Who knows. But my guess is that some athletes probably have developed IC and they just don't announce it to the world.

Interesting... I originally asked because I can't do anything physical without making my bladder pain worse - elliptical, swimming, even extended walking - and while it sounds like that's an extreme case, it sounds like its fairly common for strenous activity to make things worse for folks. I would think that this would make it very difficult to maintain a career as an athlete.

I also wonder the same thing about singers, as singing does the same thing to me. But maybe that's just my own unique piece of luck.

Mostly, I'm just very curious as to why there's such an extreme variability between cases when it comes to the effect of exercise, or basically doing anything that involves using the core muscles in any way. Some it seems to help, some it seems to hurt, and then there's me, for which it's my primary driver of bladder pain.

Very confusing, considering the inflammation in IC is inside the bladder, and should not theoretically be connected to any muscle injuries/disfunctions outside of the bladder.

[JosieWales]

My PT looked at my lack of muscle and told me "Ya know, we've got to build up your muscle tone all over your body. I never have IC/PFD patients here who have lots of muscles". Hmmm...

Bullsh*t. Your PT is going on total anecdotal evidence. I know someone (a woman) who's done 2 Ironmans who has both IC and Chrons disease.

[KatieB]

Wow Josie

Bullsh*t. Your PT is going on total anecdotal evidence. I know someone (a woman) who's done 2 Ironmans who has both IC and Chrons disease.

Just repeating what my PT said to me as part of the board discussion. Slow down.

[landangel]

I was a professional figure skater for years and an active ballet dancer. I am in amazing shape and still developed IC. I developed IC from the only UTI that I ever had. I still skate and dance today.

[KatieB]

I was a professional figure skater for years and an active ballet dancer. I am in amazing shape and still developed IC. I developed IC from the only UTI that I ever had. I still skate and dance today.

I'm so glad for you as I've been unable to do hardly any physical activity due to pain. That's what brought up the comment from my PT. She wasn't kidding about my muscle tone. I have none. I've lost approx 50 lbs in the last year and a half and at last check weighed 93. I think I would feel better if I could do some physical activity but my IC pain and weakness holds me back.

[landangel]

Katie I am soo sorry for your pain. Have you ever tried yoga? You can take it as easy as you need when you go. We have a studio by us that does the hot yoga and I love it. You can let the instructor know about IC and they can alter the positions for you. I know that this is such a frustrating disease and there are many days for me that are what I call "too much" days.

As a side note, I have actually heard of MANY pro athletes having overactive bladder no so much IC or developing it. May be due to the stress or anxiety of competitive sports. I don't know.

Amanda

[bob04951]

Maybe those pro athletes have overactive bladder, or prostate problems, and that is how a lot of men are under or misdiagnosed for IC. They probably never heard of it although a lot of them have some of best doctors around, who probably also don't know what it is. Would think if you have really good muscle tone before an IC DX it may be helpful in allowing you to stay more active and not develop PFD. For those who it has just hit hard who are not athletes, the inactivity can eat away at muscle tone quickly. Pro athletes have many hidden things going on physically that we will never know until they retire. And how many pros are going to admit they have an "overactive bladder" anyway? Kinda embarrasing for them (shouldn't be, but everyone thinks oh gee, he/she has to wear depends, giggle giggle) It's a stigma that needs to be abolished and maybe there are some pros who have IC but just won't come out of the closet.

[sailawaygrl]

Rather harsh

Josie,
Katie is just relaying what her pt noted, perhaps the patients that this particular physical therapist has seen have lack of muscle tone. I know in the beginning I was in great physical shape, now, not so much. I have severe IC and have been in a lot of pain for a few years. Even though I was in great shape I still developed PFD (it has nothing to do with what kind of shape you are in previously)

Let's all remember that we are here to support each other. Everyone of us sees different Drs, PTs and other medical authorities. IC is not very well understood so everyone is going to have differing opinions, but using that language and tone really isn't necessary, is it?

Bullsh*t. Your PT is going on total anecdotal evidence. I know someone (a woman) who's done 2 Ironmans who has both IC and Chrons disease.

[Josh85]

I was a professional figure skater for years and an active ballet dancer. I am in amazing shape and still developed IC. I developed IC from the only UTI that I ever had. I still skate and dance today.

Wow, that's great for you. I'm jealous!

So is your pain just completely unaffected by your physical movements?

[landangel]

Hi Josh,

As of right now I am in somewhat of a remission
I just had a little guy 5 months ago and only had relief after having him. I am BF him, so I am sure that all of my symptoms will return after I stop. Pain was never a major symptom I had, just major pressure and the constant "I have to pee feeling" and the slight feeling of pinching/irritation. I knew that something was really wrong with me and kept annoying my Urologist early on. He finally tested my for IC (which I suspected) and found that yes, my bladder was irritated. I would say that I have mild IC, although it sometimes feels worse. The pain completely goes with excercise I find and it is just the pressure that bothers me when skating and jumping around. I refuse to let this disease take away the things I am passionate about.

Amanda

[Josh85]

I'm so glad for you as I've been unable to do hardly any physical activity due to pain. That's what brought up the comment from my PT. She wasn't kidding about my muscle tone. I have none. I've lost approx 50 lbs in the last year and a half and at last check weighed 93. I think I would feel better if I could do some physical activity but my IC pain and weakness holds me back.

Katie, if you don't mind me asking... do you have either a history of abdominal/pelvic surgeries preceding your IC or tendonitis? (i.e. tennis elbow, plantar fasciatis, etc.)

It seems that some people with IC - like you and I - are much, much, much more affected by movement and activity than others. The fact that some people's pain is helped by exercise while I can be almost pain-free and then get sore after walking for a few minutes leads me to believe that there must be some neuro-musco-skelatal connection to bladder inflammation in some cases.

The two theories I've come across are a) adhesions from a surgery and b) tendonitis, so I'm curious if you would have been predisposed to either of those...