I Lost Lots of Weight and Have to Wear Ugly Clothes

[songbird7]

I lost lots of weight but because of the IC belly have to wear what I consider ugly clothes. While so many people wear jeans, and other long pants that show how good they look at their weight, I am weariing pants really loose and big for me. Same with the dresses I wear. I can't think of any pants or dresses for every day that are nice to wear because of the IC.
Secondly, I am afraid to go anywhere at night because I never know what the IC will do from one minute to the next. I don't mean a night life, I just mean getting together with a group of people once a month or less. Sheesh. I realize these aren't that important issues but they bother me and I was going to go somewhere this weekend but am afraid to because of the IC. The last time I went, the trip on public transportation caused the IC to hurt before I even got there. I'm kind of down and also think I stick out like a sore thumb in my unflattering clothes.
Comments?

[kadi]

Hi Songbird,
These are not unimportant issues!!! At all!!!

When my IC was at its worst, I couldn't wear pants, just loose dresses, so I understand! I did find a really nice denim skirt, that I paired with sandals in the summer & boots in the winter that looked pretty good, not too dressy, not too casual. I also found a long skirt with a crazy ruffle that looked like a flamenco skirt, that I really loved! I wore long sundresses with little jackets, to try to not look frumpy & again did the sandals or boots thing, to avoid pantyhose (forget control top ever again!). It's hard, but I tried to kind of make the best of what I could wear. (Now I'm bummed, because I'm too fat to get into any of these..)

Yes, getting together with people is really really important!!! Can you invite friends over to your house, if you can't travel? I had a hard time going out for awhile too, so whenever I flared, I made it a point to send a card (my mom gave me a bunch of stationery for my bday) to a friend, to just stay in touch & not feel so isolated...

Where are you at with your treatments? Sounds like you're in a bad space, does your doctor know about these limitations?

Hang in there, it won't always be like this...

[redfearn]

Hi there!!! I've lost so much weight that I weigh less than I did when I was in 3rd grade!! I have had 2 children--one is 5 and the other is 2. I am now 30! My :angel: family doctor and my husband thinks I'm anorexic...I get dehydrated almost every week and have to get fluids...it's not that I don't drink a lot (well, I really don't b/c I live in the bathroom and I'm scared to drink a lot, but I also have severe diarhea due to medication..I wear loose pants--sort of like the ones at Target that are thin and have a draw screen...I also wear baggy shirts..a lot of people ask me "are you on your way to work out" I usually say yep, that's what I'm doing...LOL....so don't feel bad, you are not alone..if you need any advice or just a pick me up..feel free to contact me. Hang in there sweetie!!!!!!!!!

[ICNDonna]

Actually, the styles this year are very friendly for those of us with IC bellies. I totally love slacks with some spandex --- I can buy them so they fit everywhere else and the stretch makes them reach over the belly. And the layered look is great. I frequently wear tank tops with a short sleeve shirt over --- it definitely minimizes the tummy.

Knits are good too because you can get what fits and they will stretch to cover the belly.

I have two blue denim skirts, one white one and a black one. I totally love them.

Donna

[willoweyes]

I gotta agree with you. It seems impossible to find things that will fit properly. Then when you do find something you swell and then you can't wear it. I can't wear pants. Skirts can be problematic as well. Dresses are just impossible because if I get it to fit one place they don't fit others especially on "belly days". Now with my messed up leg I can't even wear pretty shoes. This disease sucks.

[songbird7]

Thanks everyone for being there for me. The pattern is that the IC fluctuates all the time day or night. By the time night comes around or ever 4 pm or earlier the belly is swollen and what was comfortable in the morning actually makes a flare much worse.
I am in between urologists in a way. Mine has only made IC worse with installations so I havn't had these in quite awhile and don't intend to. He referred me to U.C. Med center for consultation and such. Since it is in the city I can only hope that the travel won't make everything worse. I'm not in a very good place in my mind with this right now and I feel kind of embarassed by my clothes although I needn't be. Right now there is all sorts of beauty outside my window and I plan a short walk after a morning nap. IC mildly hurting now so getting offline before it gets worse.
Thank you everyone. I'm thinking even with denim skirts what happens when the IC belly swells up later in the day. Sometimes I can't stand *any* elastic on my waist.
Failed treatments: Installations, DMSO, Tens unit
Right now my doctor gave me meds for anxiety and depression some time ago. As I get closer to 65 I get concerned that I won' t be able to afford them so please keep me and all older people who aren't rich in your prayers. I think I fall in the cracks somehow, not poor enough to probably get help but far from having a lot of money. Still I have food on my table, a roof over my head and I am thankful.
Warmly

[Joellen1]

hey sweetie...have you tried low rise pants? Thats all I can wear...even when pregnant..all my maternity stuff was under the belly....

[songbird7]

Low rise pants. Now there's an idea. This is a test message as I am having problems posting sometimes.
Warmly,

[poohboots]

Can I asked yall how yall lost so much weigth I am gaining because of being depressed so much?? I am trying to lose and suggestions

[redfearn]

My anti-depressant (Effexor XR 150mg) and Provigil 200 mg--for chronic fatigue made me lose a lot of weight. Now I'm on Methotrexate (chemo-like drug) and that really dropped my weight-oh and the pain meds made me not want to eat too. Some days I forget to even eat..

Laura Redfearn

[topcop229]

I find a lot of luck with low rise pants...and lately the trend is also long tanks and t-shirts, so you don't have to worry about the ol' plumber's crack!!!