Anxiety disorder and IC

[lilylane]

I am wondering how many of us with IC also have an anxiety disorder. Could there be a link??? Anxiety and Interstitial Cystitis?????????????? I read a very interesting article about IC and Panic disorder called Interstitial cystitis, Panic Disorder and Mast Cells. It was amazing how they were linking them. I have anxiety disorder...(under control now with meds though.) But the second I get anxiety, my bladder starts flaring. I told my urologist and he said that anxiety could definitly trigger a bladder flare.

if you want to read the article, its here.
http://www.tufts.edu/sackler/pharmacology/faculty/theoharides/documents/Panicdisorder.pdf

[icnmgrjill]

I have no doubt that it is a very strong correlation and related condition. I talked with Dr. Theo when that article came out and he called it one of two scenarios:

(1) That IC & Bladder Disorders are a genetic coincidence.. i.e. that the genomes lie side by side and and somehow influence each other.

(2) That the genome partially overlaps between the two... thus making it truly connected.

In either case, I have anxiety disorder... and so do most of the members of my family for several generations. Ironic that we also have bladder problems, allergies, and a host of other weirdness.

The good news about this is that this should take the stigma out of anyone who thinks that they are going "crazy." In fact, anxiety disorder is simply a hypersensitivity to adrenaline... and can be easily treated. Take it from someone whose been there! So, for anyone reading this who has struggled with anxiety disorder, you don't have to suffer in silence at home alone. There are great audiotapes, books and classes that you can take that would help! I did.. and it changed my life for the better in many many ways!

Jill

[Stephanie2004]

A couple of months ago, before my diagnosis, I was convinced that my symptoms were coming from anxiety. I asked the doctor for an antidepressant to help with the anxiety, and to my surprise, found that while my state of mind didn't change much, my pain practically evaporated. Later, I found out I had IC.

I do believe there is a link, though. Both my brother and sister have been to the ER with panic attacks more than once. My mother suffered from severe anxiety, and we were surprised to find out from her aunt that every one of her father's seven siblings had been treated for anxiety at one time or another. My grandmother was frequently treated for "nerves."

[kadi]

Thanks for this post! I have had anxiety/panic since I was about 10 years old. Only in the last few years did I learn that both my parents have had problems with panic attacks also.

Yes, when I'm stressed or nervous, my bladder acts up.

For me what really helped was the "Attacking Anxiety & Depression" program (seen on late night infomercials) - cassettes & workbook. That helped more than any antidepressant I've taken... (BTW-I don't work for them- I'm just a satisfied customer). It's probably also been helpful that since I got IC, I haven't had any caffeine...

[vm]

I have generalized anxiety disorder in addition to IC. Another good article you might want to read is at this link:

http://www.ic-network.com/clinicaltrials/buffington1202.html

[mayray518]

I never had any anxiety problems until after I got IC. Then I had them due to job loss, loss of home, being bedridden, etc. Who wouldnt be anxious with all that going on? Now that I feel normal again and my life is back to where it was, the anxiety is gone.