IC & Abuse Issues

[ErinBear]

Hi,

I don't know where to post this, so I'm posting it here. I hope this is an okay question, and if not, I apologize.

I'm wondering if there has ever been any research done on people who have IC and have a history of being sexually abused as children. I have wondered about how the two might influence one another before. I suspect they are probably separate issues, but that if one has been abused as a child, it makes it harder to deal with the IC as an adult. But I don't know, and wondered if any research exists which deals with this topic.

I am a survivor of abuse, and have worked on healing from it. I've made a lot of progress. I admit I am stronger in some areas than others, though. Sometimes there are some areas that still provide challenges for me. I am having a cystoscopy and urodynamic study done next week, on the same day. I am finding the prospect of these tests to be difficult - as I am sure they would be for anybody. Let's face it, this isn't anybody's idea of fun! But given my particular history, it is even more challenging to go through these sorts of events.

I have looked around on this site, which has so much wonderful information, but I haven't been able to find anything on this topic so far. Again, I hope it is okay for me to post this question. I was just wondering if anybody else was wrestling with the same issue, and if they'd found any resources that were helpful.

Thanks so much....and best wishes to everyone out there as they continue to deal with their IC!

Take care,
ErinBear

[Imustpee]

This question has been posted before...you may want to do a search to see what was written..I was NOT abused and I had IC from the age of 6 .....

[ErinBear]

Thanks for your reply Lesa - I'm sorry you've had such a long journey with IC. That's a lot to have to deal with! But thanks for your answer, and I'll try to look for other messages on the topic. Thanks.

Take care,
ErinBear

[ErinBear]

Thanks for your reply Lesa - I'm sorry you've had such a long journey with IC. That's a lot to have to deal with! But thanks for your answer, and I'll try to look for other messages on the topic. Thanks.

Take care,
ErinBear

[Briza]

Erin
There has been some controversy here in the past regarding sexual abuse and IC. I personally wasn't abused as a child but have had some very traumatic experiences in recent years and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that I believe in some way contributed to my developing IC. Everyone of us here has a different story, when our symptoms started, whether in childhood or after some surgery, or injury, etc, but here we all are with the same condition. Maybe some of these things aren't actual causes for IC, but some may very well be triggers for something our bodies would normally have been able to handle. That is is my belief, I'm ok if others don't agree with me. I don't get offended anymore if some don't agree with me. I have done some research regarding PTSD and IC and there are some theories that may support it. One book, not a very fun read, is The Body Bears the Burden. Google it along with IC+sexual abuse and you may find some helpful info. info. I'm very sorry for what you went thru as a child, I can't imagine, but that you have the power to post about it shows the strength you have.... and learning anything you can about you, IC, your past, and to make some sense of if in your mind, even if others don't agree, can be helpful. It has been for me.
Best wishes :grouphug:

[ErinBear]

Hi Briza,

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm so sorry for the difficult events you've experienced, and for the PTSD you have now. At least in my case, I don't think my childhood experiences caused my IC, but I do think I have some extra challenges dealing with it at times because of the past. But I also imagine that the stress and anxiety of living in an abusive situation can't be good for the urinary system, and at least I know my IC symptoms are worse when I am under significant stress.

I know this is a potentially difficult/controversial subject. I can stop writing if it's a problem.

Thanks, Briza, for writing back. I'm sorry that you have extra challenges of your own to face, and I wish you hope and continued improvement in your healing process.

Take care,
ErinBear

[ICNDonna]

There have been some on these boards who have reported a history of childhood sexual abuse. I was never abused as a child, but I'm sure it must be very difficult to go through all the tests and treatments for someone who has --- it can be tough enough in any case.

I admire you for being willing to "tough it out" and go ahead with the procedures.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[ErinBear]

Hi Donna,
Thank so much for your reply. Yes, these tests and treatments are tough enough for anybody, I think - absolutely! But I think it is possible there may be some additional challenges for somebody who is dealing with abuse issues.

Thanks for the kind words and the encouragement. I sure appreciate it! Hopefully everything will go as smoothly as possible this Thursday when I have my tests.

hugs to you too,
ErinBear

[redfearn]

:mad: Hi there--this is hard for me to say, but when I was a young child (around 3 or 4)--my baby-sitter would not let me "go pee" b/c she said she was cooking lunch and I would have to wait...I could not wait and I accidentally Peed in my pants. She got a pair of tweezers and twisted my pee hole and said that would teach me to hold it....

Also, at the age of 14, I was sexually abused. I was told I was too tight and he used a wire coat hanger down there and jabbed me over and over--

This is so hard for me to say, and I actually mentally forgot about the 1st incident until I was in therapy around my early 20's. Maybe this is could be related...


Thanks,
Laura

[ErinBear]

Hi Laura,

I'm so sorry to hear about the incidents which happened to you - those things should never have happened, and I'm really very sorry to hear about them. I don't know if they are related to your current condition or not, but I would imagine that it could make it harder to deal with this condition because you've had trauma in that area in the past.

I'm glad you were able to seek counseling, and hope that it was helpful to talk about what happened in the past, and work through some of the issues. I know it can be hard to talk about these things, but it can also be very healing to do so with a caring therapist, when we can get good support.

Thinking of you, and sending good wishes your way....thank you for sharing here.

Take care,
ErinBear

[redfearn]

ErinBear--

Thanks for your reply...I have so much going on..having my bladder removed on Oct. 17th. Waiting for my blood test my oncologist took due to low white blood count (he's checking for T-cell chronic leukemia). If I have this, I would not be able to have my bladder removed. Plus, I just got served with divorce papers last Friday out of the blue...due to my health condition..I agreed for him to have temporary custody until I get better emotionally and physically. But this is all so hard. I will miss my 2 beautiful children so much--they mean the world to me...I know the Lord never gives us more than we can handle and I do believe this...He will help all of us through our troubled times. God bless--

Laura

[ErinBear]

Hi Laura,

Oh my - I'm sorry to hear of all the struggles which you have facing you. That is a lot going on at one time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you said you were in counseling in the past; are you seeing a therapist now, at least for support with all of the transitions you are facing, and your medical issues? That is a lot to be going through! I hope you have some sort of support system in place, through family, friends, a therapist, and/or clergy or church contacts. At times like this, the more support the better....

Please take gentle care of yourself, and I sure send good wishes your way....

Take care,
ErinBear

[Briza]

I know this is a potentially difficult/controversial subject. I can stop writing if it's a problem.


Please don't feel like you can't write about it. There's controversy here on many things, but it is all a learning experience:).
I can imagine that any testing you have done is especially stressful. I hope all goes well for you. Hugs and prayers your way.:angel:

[ihurttoo]

I havent personally experianced any kind of abuse, but some have. While it certainly isnt the cause of all IC, it very likely could be the cause in some cases.

Another ICer was working on an article about this a few weeks ago. I dont know if you saw that thread or not, but it deals with this subject too. In case you are interested in looking at it, here is the link: http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28668 I hope this helps!! Hugs, Amy

[ErinBear]

Hi Briza,

Thanks so much for your note, and especially for the hugs and prayers! I appreciate them so much. I am so grateful for the support here at ICN. :-)

Thanks again, Briza.

Take care,
ErinBear

[ErinBear]

Hi Amy,

Thank you for the reference...that is so helpful! The upcoming article does sound interesting. I wrote to Stacey to try to get more information. Thank you so much for telling me about that!

Thanks again,
ErinBear