an important question for ALL IC people

[isabelle]

hello:)
I dont know wherew to post this question but I figured this might be a good place because i know everyone comes here to help the new people! I hope everyone will be honest when answering this question because i know from experience that the doctors are always asking or there has been studies done on this subject. How many IC people have a history of depression or sexual abuse in their past? I know it is a tough question but I think it is an important one...

[Amyinagony]

I have a history of anxiety and depression now. It came about with my 12yr battle to finally get a proper diagnosis of IC. I was a happy, go-lucky, very active, working a full-time job...etc, person before all of this started. No sexual abuse though.

[ICNDonna]

I have never suffered with depression and was never abused as a child, sexually or otherwise.

Donna

[vm]

I was not sexually abused, but I have a long history of depression and anxiety.

[Bianchi]

Never had depression in my life and was never abused in any way. I really didnt want to take an anti-depressant like Elavil, but it has helped tremendously.
Bianchi

[Sarojini]

I was never abused, sexually or otherwise. However, I do suffer with depressive episodes as part of my bipolar disorder (although it is well controlled with medication now) and anxiety (I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder as well).

[diane57]

I was not sexually abused, but when I was in my late teens and 20s I had severe panic attacks, which I believe is a version of depression (a problem with the serotonin levels in the brain). I have also ready that there's a high correlation between IC and panic attacks - many people with one also have the other.

[Dixiefireball]

I did suffer from deep depression after my mother passed away in 88.
never was sexal abuse.

[newbee]

I have had severe anxiety attacks for quite a while I have alot of abuse in my life but it wasn't sexual. I was apprensive about the elavil because I have a cousin that is..... well.....a little crazy to say it mildly and she is on elavil. that's the first thing I said when my doctor talked to me about Elavil "I'm not crazy?" she explained and I'm glad I'm taking it now.

[VickiB]

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10410

A thread from last year that relates to the sexual abuse question.

[theoutlaw77]

I have never been abused, or had a problem with depression. Though, since all of this IC business started about 8 months ago, I now feel that I may have a slight depression problem. One uro told me once that I go to the bathroom all the time because of stress. I told him- no, it is CAUSING stress, not CAUSED by stress! Since I have not felt good, I am no longer myself. I used to be cheerful, bubbly...now, my search for a real dx is making things even worse!

[sleepyangel30]

i've been sexually abused and i always sufferd with depression.

[sunshine_77us]

I've never been sexually abused or had depression.

[Prissie]

I was never abused or suffered from depression. I have been on Elavil since September and am coming off of it to see if it is the cause of weight gain. I can already tell a difference in my mood.

[Stephanie2004]

No to both. I've always been upbeat and optimistic, with no history of abuse.

[babygirl694]

I was diagnosed with depression and OCD when i was 8 years old. Never abused though. :)

[newbee]

Prissie, just wanted to know if your mood is better or worse cause I've thought about coming off the elavil too.

[christinaw]

i suffered severe sexual abuse & have history of depression, which seems to have been related to a hormonal imbalance (overgrowth of estrogen)

[Julie B]

neither...........

[mayray518]

No sexual abuse and no depression except after being diagnosed with IC and losing everything. Elavil has helped my IC. Unfortunately, it does not help depression except in higher doses and that is enough to knock an elephant out. I use prozac for depression.

[Betsie]

No to both. though I should say that since IC and during it's worst period, I went on an antidepressant, I think it really helps with the day to day coping with any chronic illness.

[Ih8IC]

No sexual, emotional or physical abuse. No depression or anxiety (before IC pain).

[DanaW]

I have had depression since 95'. (after my last son was born) IC was dx'd-Sept. 03'. I plead the 5th on the other question.....

Dana W.

[tjackson]

yes, I've had depression for years. yes, I was sexually abused for a brief time when I was a child (but not "penetrated", so no injury to my bladder). interesting topic.

[Ginny]

Great question. I would like to take it one step forward. I was told by a doctor that there is a link between Fibromyalgia and sexual abuse. So, if anyone answers yes to the orginal questions can you tell us if you also have Fibro. Thanks.

Ginny

[DanaW]

I was dx'd with FM at age 22. Now age 38.

Dana W.

[windwalker]

I've had bouts of depression, no abuse, no fibro.

[shennan]

from a negative dental experience in new mexico.
lost a tooth from it. should not have....
was not sexually abused; although, my boyfriend pinned me down once,
but i don't consider that sexual abuse.
he was just playing rough while we were at a hotel.

my ic started after being on tegretol for bipolar, which i took (in austin, tx) after my devil-dental experience from the land of disenchantment.

feels like i have fibro...not clinically diagnosed, though.
no sexual abuse as a child...

shenna
:flower:

[Thoney]

Yes to sexually abused and to chronic depression, no Fibro....

[babygirl694]

My mother has Fibro.. but i dont think that i do.

[christinaw]

yes to fibro too-

[Rebeccanne]

I have had depression for quite awhile, and a couple years ago I started getting rreeeallly bad panic attacks.

[green_the_fish]

Disclaimer: I don't have a diagnosis of IC, just chronic pelvic pain.

Depression: yes
Sexual abuse: no
Fibro: no

[Janisu7]

Never abused or clinically depressed, but good sex with my husband sometimes leads to a flare up.

Prissie mentioned she has been on Elavil since September and went off in March and noticed a difference in her mood. Could you please explain, as I'm just starting on this drug and will try to be careful with my diet but I am concerned about my moods.

[Annie2]

No abuse. No fibro. Anxiety and periods of depression when I went through a very early menopause at 35.

Janisu 7, the dosage of Elavil used for IC is generally very low. When Elavil is prescribed for depression it is given in a MUCH higher dosage. We are all very unique in our reactions to meds. I have read of a few people who have had mood shifts from low dose Elavil but most of us don't seem to have that problem. As with all meds, if you notice any problems, be sure and discuss it with your doctor.

Annie

[trytosmile]

no sexual abuse but have alot of stress and anxiety. I am on Clonzapam for nerves.

This illness has decreated the quality of my life very much. I am on full disability and will never return to work. Guess I have difficulty dealing with it. I also have lost a baby because of the IC and have been advised by my uro and family GP not to pursue family planning at this time. The clock is ticking, time is running and very hard to not think about the losses this has caused.

[hisjenn]

neither.

[sacausa]

neither

[A.J.]

I have a history of depression and anxiety since about 12-13 years old, due to a chemical imbalance. No abuse of any kind.

[Gegatso]

I have had some depression here and there. Currently disabled due to Depersonalization Disorder which I take a lot of Klonopin and Xanax for - so that's something that deals with nerve issues among other things. Never had any abuse.
Oh, and it is only fair to mention that my diagnoses is still to be determined in my opinion. One uro said it was absolutely IC, one said the opposite. I see a third in two days. Been taking Elmiron for a while, but not 3 months yet.

[babygirl694]

What is Depersonalization Disorder?? I asked my husband but he didnt really know how to explain it to me. Sorry if its a touchy subject.. i'm just really curious. :o).

Try to get a positive diagnosis.. it will help you get your treatment plan in order. Trust me. :)

[Gegatso]

[QUOTE=babygirl694]What is Depersonalization Disorder?? I asked my husband but he didnt really know how to explain it to me. Sorry if its a touchy subject.. i'm just really curious. :o).

Taken from a depersonalization website:

According to DSM-IV, Depersonalization Disorder, in part, constitutes the following:

... a feeling of detachment or estrangement from one's self . The individual may feel like an automaton or as if he or she is living in a dream or a movie. There may be a sensation of being an outside observer of one's metal processes, one's body, or parts of one's body.

... Various types of sensory anesthesia, lack of affective response, and a sensation of lacking control of one's actions, including speech, are often present. The individual with Depersonalization Disorder maintains intact reality testing (e.g., awareness that it is only a feeling and that he or she is not really an automaton). Depersonalization is a common experience, and this diagnosis should be made only if the symptoms are sufficiently severe to cause marked distress or impairment in functioning).

In addition to DSM-IV, another vital diagnostic tool, Merck's Manual, describes depersonalization clearly:

Persistent or recurrent feelings of being detached from one's body or mental processes and usually a feeling of being an outside observer of one's life.

Depersonalization is the third most common psychiatric symptom and frequently occurs in life-threatening danger, such as accidents, assaults, and serious illnesses and injuries; it can occur as a symptom in many other psychiatric disorders and in seizure disorders. As a separate disorder, depersonalization has not been studied widely, and its incidence and cause are unknown.
----------------------

I hope that makes it a bit clearer. :)

[melanie626]

Hi-
felt up by an older boys as a kid so i don't think that really counts as abuse (just weird stuff that happens when your a kid I guess) and yes to one bout of depression, but that was a year ago and was on meds for only 9 mo.

[macylynn]

I was sexually abused when I was 12. I have had a chemical imbalance (depression) since, probably middle school, but not diagnosed until age 22.
I had a panic attack at age 24.
I have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
This is an interesting concept.
I know there is a link between being sexually active at a young age and cervical cancer, so it would make sense that IC would be caused by sexual abuse.
I was diagnosed with IC when I was 25.

[melanie626]

I always understood the link between cervical cancer to be related to HPV (maybe that is why more young women get it, as they are not protecting themselves)...I have HPV and wonder if there is and increased IC risk with this disease as well?

[Betsie]

Here is the result link to several web sites...I hope one might be of help. Maybe it is a common syndrome, I had not heard of it, so I did an MSN search.

http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?FORM=MSN8A&q=Depersonalization+Disorder

[macylynn]

Melanie,
I should probably know this, but what is HPV?

[babygirl694]

What is HPV? ..

GEGATSO- that helped alot. Thank you. It sounds like it would be really distressing. I'm sorry.

[melanie626]

It is Human Papilloma Virus...almost all women who get cervical cancer have this virus...it is technically the one that causes venerial warts, but there are so many strains that many of them don't cause the warts themselves but just lay dorment in the cervix. There are a few strains that are more predominently identified to cause cervical cancer. A LOT of women have it and I don't think they routinely test for the presence of it. You can technically pass it on to a partner too

[Gegatso]

Here is the result link to several web sites...I hope one might be of help. Maybe it is a common syndrome, I had not heard of it, so I did an MSN search.

http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?FORM=MSN8A&q=Depersonalization+Disorder

I appreciate the links...been to all of them a million times, unfortunately. It is not a common syndrome at all. Even though most people do experience a few small "episodes" of depersonalization in their life, the people like me who have it 24/7 is very few in number. I had a three year period when I was doing really well thanks to a certain drug which was recently taken off the market because of poor sales. :mad:

[kmmk]

no to both also..
very optimistic and upbeat and carefree also.
not a hypochondriac...lol..
loved sex...
till this urethral thing started! yuck!

[babygirl694]

People used to call me a hypochondriac all the time before i got diagnosed with IC.. but not so much now. I have Obsessive compulsive disorder very bad.... i was diagnosed as being bipolar last summer.. but im not on any of the medicine because it costs too much for me. I was diagnosed with Trichitilimania when i was 8. I have alot of the "mental disorders" so-to-speak.. but i've learned to deal with them alot. I have mood swings VERY BAD too..... :-/

[kellyann]

Yes to abuse, started age 7, turned him in finally at age 12
No to depression, some anxiety (I do have four boyz though :))
Yes to Fibro

[periwinklelover]

I was sexually abused and have experienced depression. I have thought about all of that in relation to IC, but am for the first time in my life starting to recover from the abuse and depression and it's an uphill battle. So I'm not really sure if it's related. That is a really good question though. Everyone's system is different and it's a really stressful thing to deal with everyday.

[DawnsRuby19]

I have been diagnosed as being BP since I was in my early teens. Since being diagnosed with IC I think I have either been in my longest low then normal, or it has just turned to flat out mania. I have never been sexually abused. I hope that helps you out a little!
-Crystal

[Paula A]

I never was sexually abused or depressed.

:) :) :) :)

Paula

[emilyrose197377]

Yes to being abused . But I have never suffered from depression.

[Silverfern]

No sexual abuse and no depression.

[SheriG]

Both here :mad: Hope this helps you in some way. It is ok to be honest with your doc, and you should be. If either of those issues have been a part of your life, I can't stress enough how much counseling/therapy has helped me. All the best.. :grouphug: Sheri G

[babygirl694]

you know what i was thinking about.. i have been depressed most of my life.. i got diagnosed with Chronic depression when i was 8.. OCD and alot of different other things... im only 19 now. But i've ALWAYS had problems with my bladder. Always had IC i guess. I always went to the doctor and never had an "infection".. so i would have to say that i've had IC all my life mostly.. and depression followed that. I dunno though. Thats just something i've been thinking about recently. :hmm:

[darlene]

No to both! It's time to look elsewhere for the cause.

[PenguinK]

I have a history of depression and have been on antidepressants for 10 years.
I have had it pretty much under control and phazing out of the pills until I got diagnosed with IC. Now they've put my dose back up again. I hope it works.
KK

[momw/ic]

No abuse and no depression or any family history of it. I did start with MAJOR female problems at the age of 13. I had severe endometriosis. DX with Fibro about a year after my IC dx. No bladder symptoms ever until my hysterectomy for the endo.

Hope this helps!

[~*~Christine~*~]

I have a history of anxiey and slight depression in my childhood before the first of my major flares started when I was 16; but no sexual abuse
But I've had bladder problems all my life so I don't think my past mental issues had anything to do with my IC :)

[tigger_gal]

How many IC people have a history of depression or sexual abuse in their past?


I have never had a history of sexual abuse.

I never had a history of depression.. Depression hit once IC and all the other lil diseases hit and permenately disabled me..

Brat

[vm]

The incidence of depression, anxiety and a history of sexual abuse in women is pretty high (unfortunately) in the general population, so it wouldn't be surprising if it also is among those with IC.

[mags]

i have never been abused or depressed. Although the ic has caused some depression!!

[hoping4acure]

I have never suffered from either one.

[iwishihadiwingz]

I've suffered from depression most of my life...and come to think of it, it wasn't until I was taken of of my antidepressents that the IC started to show. I was over it for a long time but now that the IC is getting worse so is my depression, hopefully my doctor will see the corolation as well.

[Freckles]

No, I've never been abused or had depression either, although my mother did have severe depression at times. I've never had it.
Karen

[jah]

No..not me. JAH

hello:)
I dont know wherew to post this question but I figured this might be a good place because i know everyone comes here to help the new people! I hope everyone will be honest when answering this question because i know from experience that the doctors are always asking or there has been studies done on this subject. How many IC people have a history of depression or sexual abuse in their past? I know it is a tough question but I think it is an important one...

[DC4ever]

I have suffered from depression most of my life although medication has had it under control for a few years now and I am generally a happy, bubbly person but I was also sexually abused when I was young. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with this though.

[asilva]

I've never been sexually abused, and I've never had depression (except when I have an IC flare that lasts weeks!!). My IC symptoms started with menopause and the drop in estrogen.

[Xkaliebugx]

i'v had depression.. not sexuall abuse though

[ussmcfaul]

I have a history of depression. I'm going to see a new doctor in April and I admit that I'm hesitant to tell him. I'm hesitant to tell doctors because it seems like as soon as you tell them that, they kind of get this look on their face like oh, that's what's really the problem. Its all in her head. I'll be honest with the doctor though, its important he knows bc medication can increase symptoms of depression and of course they want to find the right medication for you. I just don't want another doctor thinking its all in my head.

[curlycue]

No abuse or depression when I was a child.After IC diagonose in 1994 I was fine. In 2003 I started Prozac and still on it. Good Luck

[TashaSR]

Hi there. First of I want to say that I have no history of sexual abuse. How ever, I have been dealing with being very sick since I wan about 10 and I am now 14. Up until about 4 years ago I was mis-diognosed with a bunch of other diseases before someone finally realized what I really have is IC. Now, i have a few other diseases that seem to go hand in hand with IC. I have had anxiety and panic attacks and bouts of deppression for years but I know that they are because I have been so sick and I am sure as you read and learn more about this desease is that anxiiety, depression and panic attacks go hand in hand with this illness. I think the statistic is something like 75% or 80% of woman with IC have anxiety/panic attacks/depression. Hope this helps and I wish you all the best.

[MiLynn]

I had PPD after having my twins but have been off meds for about 2 years.

[suzziy]

No sexual abuse, nor history of depression. In 1990 I had a hysterectomy after being in severe pain caused by endometriosis for three years. Before the doctors considered doing the hysterectomy I had to go through a battery of psychological tests for almost a year because they couldn't see anything other than a cyst on my ovaries and a "mushy" ovary on my left side. When they finally did the surgery, the endometriosis was underneath and attached also to other organs and they stated no wonder I was in such pain!! So....the doctors always seem to quickly point the finger at depression and psychological problems.

Yes, I now get depressed because I have IC and I am tired of the pain that I experience,tired of having to watch what I eat, tired of not having normal bathroom habits, tired of not sleeping well, tired of gastro problems, and above all tired of the "attitude" of a lot of doctors.

My depression at times is because of have IC and other ailments; my IC is not caused by my depression.