abdominal swelling

[mother]

I am the mother of a daughter who was recently diagnosed with IC. She is 35, and had a stroke in April of 2004. Everything seemed to go downhill from there. Fibroids, cysts, polyps, irregular periods. She was also diagnosed with Factor V Leiden after the stroke. This is a blood disorder, she is prone to blood clots, so cannot take estrogen, etc. Ever since the stroke, her stomach/abdomen has been getting larger and larger, used to go down between periods, but not anymore. Is this a common occurance with IC? I'm trying to get some info for her, she is getting married on the 29th of this month, after the wedding, she will be on this website herself. We've never been to so many doctors. She's been the food allergy route, etc., but her biggest problem is the abdominal swelling. She urinates quite frequently(also big water drinker), but has no pain, thank God.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Gidg's mom

[Godwillhelp]

Gidgi's mom,

Hi and welcome to the boards! I am sorry to hear that your daughter has been having a difficult time....and so close to her wedding day.
The swelling you are talking about could very well be an effect of IC. A lot of the women on this board talk about a "pregnancy belly". The swelling from IC makes them look like they are about three months pregnant.

I can only imagine how hard it is for you as a mom to see your child going through something like IC. I also would like to commend you on your support. I am 31 and my mom doesn't grasp what I have and tells me to just buck up and deal with it.

I look forward to talking with your daughter. These boards will offer her a lot of the support that sometimes is lacking elsewhere.......

Take care,

Dana

[SharonA]

Sounds like Gidg has a full plate on top of her soon to be marriage. I have to commend her for continuing her life in spite of everything. I also must say how wonderful it is that you are researching IC for her. Good for you!!! She needs all the support she can get. Especially from Mom.

The swollen belly is very common with IC. A lot of us have it. We not so affectionately call it "IC Belly". My personal opinion is it is caused by our bladders being swollen and also retaining fluids. I get this when I am flaring and my bladder is hurting more than usual. When I flare, my bladder feels like it is on fire and I need to urinate more than usual. I also have a tough time emptying it completely when a flare is active.

Please tell Gidg congratulations on her marriage and that I am looking forward to seeing her on these boards once her life settles down a bit.

:) :) :)

[tabasco32]

Mother of daughter

I feel sorry that your daughter is going through so much. This is hard to deal with and supporting her and hearing her out will help her through this. I talk to my mom who is very supportive of me as I just turned 34 a lot about my condition and symptoms. I feel at times she gets tired of hearing about it but it only makes me feel better to let it out and talk about whats bothering me.
I have heard of women who get this belly. I have not yet knock on wood. I lost so much weight that at time I'm scared to look in the mirror.
my prayers go out to you and your daughter as I hope she doesn't have IC
lisa marie

[mother]

Thank you all for your responses, I'm printing them to give to my daughter. She's hoping this board will be the answers to her prayers, I think it will. So many questions she has I've seen discussed here.

I can't imagine not being there for your kids. It was a real eye opener when she had the stroke (dissection of the vertebral artery) She wasn't diagnosed right away, because of her age they thought she had a virus that attacked her heart and caused a blood clot. Was released after ten days only to have a bleed to the brain, life flighted to another hospital, they diagnosed it right away, had already started to heal. She did lose some vision, her left peripheral in both eyes. It's a condition called hemianopsiaa. This was my 33 year old 120 pound daughter, perfect health. Item of interest: Many doctors at the Cleveland Clinic asked if she had gone to a chiropractor recently, in fact she had her neck manipulated 10 days before. Can also happen at the beauty parlor when they're washing your hair and your neck is stretched. So, be careful ladies. At any rate, her whole system changed after the stroke.

Thanks for listening

Gidg's mom

[ICNDonna]

It does sound like she could have what some of us call an "IC belly" --- mine is worse if I'm having a flare.

She is very lucky to have a mother who understands and cares.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[tabasco32]

I can't imagine what your poor daughter is going through. It must be nightmarish for her and your family.