Does this sound like a resonable explanation

[elitynski]

You all are so helpful and have a lot of insight - I wanted to ask you for your opinions.

My symptom of frequency came on acutely on July 1st. After that time I did the antibiotics route, saw an IC specialist, had a cystoscopoy and was finally diagnosed in Mid-August by a Dr. from Chicago NORTHWESTERN hospital with Pelvic Floor dysfunction.

Meanwhile my symptoms have improved somewhat and while I was on vacation over the labor day holiday I started to notice a few days where my symptoms were substantially better (although not perfect). I started to not even be aware of my bladder during parts of the day.

I was still aware of my bladder from time to time but there were many more moments of normal - not having the feeling of being aware of my bladder nor feeling like I had to go to the bathroom.

Currently, I don't run to the bathroom that often - < 8- 10 times a day and since I got back from vacation I started physical therapy which is going ok - although , she didn't really see a lot of PFD issues. Also, the last few days my symptoms seem to have been more exacerbated. BUt I also have been eating more junk food, drinking more caffeine and soad; whereas before I was drinking more water, eating healthier, walking and talking UROXYTROL. I ran out of the UROXYTROL on vacation and hadn't refilled the prescription.

Before this started I was substantially overweight, about 385 lbs - and since then I have lost about 40lbs. One of my thoughts is that this condition may be more weight-related than anything since I started to feel somewhat better since I lost some of the weight - although I still have a long ways to go.

None of the Dr.s have felt that I have IC since I don't have the kind of pain that they feel accompanies the condition. I've experimented with a lot of different foods and haven't really made any connection to anything that would be irritating - except possibly caffeine and some soda. Although i drank some Rootbeer last night and had no issues.

Is it possible that this could be related to the weight pressing on the bladder and that I would continue to see symptom improvement over time as I lose the weight and become more healthy.

I also have sleep apnea and the nights that I haven't used my breathing machine I have some morning frequency while still sleeping - but I believe that this is related to the sleep apnea where my body is releaing a hormone which makes me feel like I need to urinate. When I do use the breathing machine, I can sleep several hours through the night without having to urinate.

Let me know if you think this could be more weight related than anything else.

[designermillion]

I weigh about what you did before losing the 40 lbs, and I also wondered if this has something to do with my weight. I also always wondered if I was getting UTI's because of my weight and because of the fact that I have IBS. Lets face it, when you're overweight, it inhibits being able to clean properly and then add IBS to that scenario. I don't know if all people who are overweight have this problem but I know I do. The more I weigh, the harder it gets to wipe from front to back because of my stomach. I thought maybe I was contaminating myself! Even though I have IC, I still seem to get UTI's on top of it.

May I ask how you lost 40 lbs? I have been struggling to get any weight off, because I also have Hypothyroidism, I don't eat right and I don't exercise. It is such a vicious cycle. My husband and I bought a treadmill about a month ago, but at my weight it's about to kill my knees. Once I started having a flare about two weeks ago, I quit walking on it, because I have been in so much pain. I hate it really and try to think of ways to get out of walking everynight, but my husband is now walking a mile every night and losing weight, and I feel like a total loser.

I would love to have a buddy to lose weight with if you're interested!

Cheryl
Jacksonville, Florida

[ICNDonna]

If whatever you were doing made you feel better, it just makes sense to continue. And yes, serious obesity can cause a lot of problems for our entire bodies. I also need to lose some weight.

Warm encouraging hugs,
Donna

[elitynski]

Low fat / nutritious diet - no fast food / limited sugar / lean meats - fruits and veggies trying to stay around 1200 - 1500 calories a day (very doable).

I also incorporated walking - I could only go 5 minutes to begin with and by the 2nd month I was able to go 20 - 25 minutes on the treadmill.

You might try swimming as an alternative or just slow walking in the neighborhood - up to the block and back. But getting some exercise will help you along.

Also - you need to simply be patient and not expect too much from yourself. This isn't a contest or race - it's about being healthy.

Let me know if I can add anything to this.

[Berkshire Road]

Wow. I never thought about weight and bladder issues. It's funny, because when I was first diagnosed, I was not overweight. But since I've been on some of these meds for over two years, I have put on weight. And the pain has gotten worse, and I'm in a bad cycle -- worse pain, no exercise, no exercise, no energy, more weight gain, more depression, increase meds.... I actually have started losing finally; when I cut my dose of neurontin and started wellbutrin, I found that I was much better able to control my appetite. Unfortunately, I had a huge arthritis flare-up, so I haven't been exercising. FINALLY, I've done a course of prednisone and my knees and ankles feel ok, so now it's Get Off My Butt time. :)

The thing is, I've done this before. I had a lot of weight that just sort of creeped up on me when I was pregnant and afterwards. I was very successful at losing it once I was able to admit how bad the situation was. So I have some ideas: If you aren't a strong swimmer, just walking in a pool can help get you active again. And if you start with the idea, "I have to lose 200 lbs," you'll probably just be overwhelmed. So, start with smaller goals. To lose the first ten, the first twenty. To be able to walk or swim X distance. Just to go a week or two weeks without one or two foods that are bad for you.

I am not at the weight that either of you two are, but still definitely need to lose quite a bit. So, if you want to PM me so we can encourage each other, that would be great. Even though I've succeeded before, it still seems overwhelming at times. And, of course, I'm older now!

[Claredale]

My bladder issues started when I was at my skinniest weight. I weighed about 105 and am 5'2". I went into remission and actually gained some weight mainly do to being enemic and just didn't have energy. I went back on my only water to drink, and healthy foods, and my IC came back with a vengence and reminds me everyday that I have it. I was never really overweight, maybe 40 pounds at the most and that was when I was on Lyrica and ativan.

But I must say that my prior doctor was very clear about trying to keep a healthy weight. She never fussed or anything. This was shortly after my interstim surgery which I weighted 110 at the time. After my surgery and the issues I had with the removal due to infection and I had to stay at home and do nothing, I gained 20 pounds pretty quickly. I still ned to lose about 20 pounds, but I am doing it with mainly walking which I definitely couldn't do before my interstim. When I am not in a flare, I can go several hours without even thinking about finding a bathroom, at night is a different story. Which is why I am up now. But my meds are finally kicking in, I took them later than usual and stayed up (big mistake on sleep meds).

Nite all!
Tracey