Dr. Phil's web site

[Sharon]

Dr. Phil's website has a chat board, and one of the topics is how I fought my illness. I didn't read all the messages, so I'm not sure if there were any IC people on the boards, but I do plan to go back on a day when I have time and post about IC. I wonder if Dr. Phils staff monitors these boards, and if so, perhaps they are looking for topics for future shows? Do you think we should bombard the boards with chats about IC?!?!?!?

[amber sevy]

I posted something just a few days ago. I also think that he would do a geat job with bringing IC to the public

[traceann]

From watching his show, I do know that they watch the boards pretty closely, I think that's a fabulous idea, think I'll drop a line myself as soon as I get the chance! ;)

[Sharon]

It was either Dr. Phil's 1st or 2nd season, he did have a woman on his show who had IC. I don't remember the show that well anymore, but I think maybe the woman was having some problems with her husband, and she was mentioning IC, and the medicines she was taking for it.

[anniepie1976]

I had heard about that woman also. I remember my brother saw that show and told me about it. Something that sticks out in my head is that he told me that it was about marriage troubles they were having and that she had problems being intimate due to IC pain and I guess the husband wasn't very accepting of it. I really wish there was a way of seeing that or finding the episode to buy somehow. I, too have trouble having sex due to pain...but have been blessed with a very understanding and patient husband. Just a bit sexually frustrated though. Ann

[kadi]

I saw that show when I first got IC. I didn't know whether to be relieved (that someone was talking about it) or horrified (didn't want to believe I could have something so awful).

Dr.Phil's assessment of IC was that he took it seriously, encouraged families (husband in this case) to take it seriously, and that it was a very real thing, with very unpleasant symptoms, and that it could respond to treatment, but that it takes time for that to happen.

[MarthaB]

this was posted by a member in september last year,

G) Does Having IC Justify Infidelity? - IC Covered on Dr. Phil Show


There is no doubt that IC can impact some sexual relationships but does it justify one partner cheating on the other? Dr. Phil says "NO!" On the Tuesday October 7, 2003 Dr. Phil TV show, he featured Jennifer and Bruce, a young couple struggling with infidelity and IC.

Jennifer said that she can't help but wonder if she's to blame for her husbands cheating because she developed IC. She had left him six times and, surprisingly, thought that Bruce was justified in going elsewhere because sexual intercourse was painful. "I feel very guilty that I have this disorder. It makes me feel that I can't fulfill my husbands needs." But, she couldn't get past his affairs. She asked Dr. Phil if she should stand by her man. Bruce, her errant partner, said "If she loves me, she'll forgive me." He has confessed to having many affairs. "I feel that Jennifer should continue to want this marriage and stay here with me and support me," said Bruce. "If she wouldn't have this bladder disorder, then we wouldn't have this problem."

IC patients around the country should be gratified by Dr. Phil's handling of this very sensitive topic. He first confirmed that IC was a very real disease, "Interstitial Cystitis is a very stubborn, very severe, and very real bladder disorder. " He turned to Bruce and said "This isn't just that she has a bad attitude. IC creates very severe pelvic pain." He then asked Bruce if he really believed that Jennifer was responsible for him choosing to go outside of his marriage for sex. Bruce said "I blame the disorder that she has. If we could have sex like I wanted to, then I wouldn't have gone someplace else. That's how I feel."

In a classic Dr. Phil moment, he responded "I think that is the most self-serving load of crap I've ever heard in my life." Dr. Phil pointed out that Bruce was cheating before Jennifer developed IC, therefore it couldn't be because of the IC. He then said that a husband, a father and a man, should turn toward his wife, not away from her. "That's the time you should be mature enough to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'You know what, your impulses, your sexual needs, your sexual desires are just going to have to take a back seat for a while because your life partner, the mother of your children, is hurting.'"

But Dr. Phil had tough words for Jennifer as well. "If you think you're helping yourself and your son by allowing him to tell you you're responsible for things for which you have no control over, if you think that is in any way serving your purpose, then you are wrong. He will begin to treat you with dignity and respect when he sees you doing it yourself."

Had the situation been reversed and Bruce had become the IC patient, would he have been hurt if his wife had had many affairs? Probably. Would he have encouraged her affairs? Probably not. The price of life is that we each can become ill or injured. In every sexual relationship, there will be times when one partner can have sex and the other can't. The true test of the maturity of that couple is how they negotiate, communicate and handle that moment. One would hope that the healthy partner would offer support and encouragement rather than accusations and pain. It is the responsibility of both partners, as they age and mature, to find new, creative ways of expressing their physical and emotional love for each other.

[anniepie1976]

Sheebah, I cant thank you enough for posting this. I wanted to know what episode so bad I wrote to the show! Now I can buy the tape! Thanks!!! Ann

[MarthaB]

:) you are welcome!
Martha :)

[anniepie1976]

Just want to let everyone know that I ordered the tape from Dr Phil and watched it. It came in mail really quick! A bit pricey but well worth it. My heart went out to this woman. I cried while watching it. It really helps to see someone on TV that goes through the same thing. It was really neat hearing Dr Phil acknowledge the pain with IC. He is someone I watch religiously and believe in so it was really neat hearing it from him. Ann

[Allyoopa]

I say lets hit the Dr. Phil boards and be proactive. If we over whelm them maybe he'll do a show and invite Melody Thomas Scott from the Young and Restless who also has IC! LETS DO IT!

Adele

[ChrissySunshine]

I'm right on it! I sooooo believe we need to be proactive about this disease. There is just not enough general public knowledge about IC, and what a great way to get it out there! Dr. Phil is very popular, his advice is sensible and matter-of-fact, I think if his last show was done in 2003, it's about time for another!

[itzbezzy]

oh wow...usually dr phil annoys me but the fact that he actually supports IC as a real and serious disease makes him cool in my book. *goes to his boards*

what we really need is oprah to do a show about it :p then the whole friggin' *world* would know, haha

[Sharon]

I was watching one of Oprah shows, were she had encouraged people to write their congressmen about something or other, and of course a large number of people did, and because of it, the issue she was discussing, was suddenly getting some attention in the capital. My point is, Oprah then when on to say that large numbers speak volumes when you want to get yourself heard, or to draw attention to your cause, and I thought hmmmm, is that what we need to do to get Oprah's attention? All of us picking a certain day where we all write Oprah on the same day? Would that get their attention? Once every few months we could have "Write Oprah Day!"

I know Oprah does a lot of good for many people. But it just seems to me that when it comes to health issues, Oprah typically does shows on something that she is currently going through herself, or has experienced. Such as , weight issues, heart, menopause problems, child abuse, incest. All wonder topics for others who have the misfortune of dealing with those issues, but I just don't think Oprah is going to come down with IC any time soon, which I think would put IC on the back burner for her show if I am right about my suspicion.