Panic disorder & IC...genetic link found...anyone here suffer from both?

[Shelka]

Hi All!

I was doing some research on IC & related conditions and I came across an article which reported that there appears to be a genetic link between IC & panic disorder. When I googled (+"panic disorder +"interstitial cystitis") I was really surprised by the number of hits!

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_16539.html

I'm just curious to know how many people here have a history of ;panic disorder (or anxiety attacks) as well??

I'm interested in this whole possiblity becasue I had panic attacks since I was about 17. Though I'm much better now & rarely have an anxiety attack I thought this was a very interesting link, it would be nice to think that all these different symptoms might have a common cause!

Would love to hear some feedback!
Shelley

[poetgirl]

I have suffered from panic attacks before and was at some point diagnosed with a panic disorder, but I rarely get them anymore. Usually if I do get them, it's because I'm already experiencing a depressive episode, although the last time I recall having a mild panic attack was on a particularly turbulent flight.

[poetgirl]

Genetic Disorder Links Panic And Bladder Problems

Reuters Health

Friday, March 12, 2004


NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The seemingly unrelated conditions of panic disorder and the bladder disorder interstitial cystitis may be components of a hitherto unidentified genetic syndrome, new findings indicate.

It may be that treatments for anxiety may also help people with interstitial cystitis, researchers suggest.

Dr. Myrna M. Weissman of Columbia University, New York, and colleagues note in the Archives of General Psychiatry that they previously reported on a study of families with several members affected by panic disorder, which produces sudden, unexpected feelings of apprehension and dread along with palpitations and shortness of breath.

That study revealed that panic disorder was associated with other disorders, particularly bladder and thyroid problems, weakness in the mitral valve of the heart, and headache.

A review of those study participants' medical records showed that symptoms of the bladder problems were highly suggestive of interstitial cystitis, a troubling problem that involves severe pain when the bladder is full, and frequent and urgent urination.

To look for the same association in the reverse direction, the researchers studied patients attending urology clinics. These included 67 patients with interstitial cystitis and 79 with other bladder diseases associated with underlying anatomic causes. Weissman's team also investigated 815 first-degree relatives of these patients.

Compared to patients without interstitial cystitis, those with the condition were 4 times more likely to have suffered from panic disorder at some time in their lives. For the other disorders, such as mitral valve disease and headache, the odds were doubled.

Also, first-degree relatives of patients with interstitial cystitis were approximately three times as likely to have interstitial cystitis and thyroid problems and had twice the risk of panic disorder compared with first-degree relatives of the other subjects.

The authors suggest that abnormalities in the central nervous system may be the underlying cause of all these disorders, and that medication used to treat panic disorder may also benefit people with interstitial cystitis.

SOURCE: Archives of General Psychiatry, March 2004.



Copyright 2003 Reuters.

[jaime15]

Shelley,
I've never suffered from anxiety/panic attacks.........

[YankeeCandle224]

I take klonopin for panic attacks as well as Zoloft. I often felt that panic where first my stomach knots up, then my breathing picks up to an abnormal rate, then I cant breathe at all sometimes gasping for air. I get like that in large crowds sometimes, and just thinking about life in general would do it to me.

Now that I am on these meds, and my life is getting back in order I am not nearly as bad as I was, but my mind still wanders and I have to talk myself down sort of, just tell myself it's ok and will go away, and now, thankfully, it does.

Thanks for the information! Sandy

[1tuffcookie]

I don't think I've ever had a true panic attack, but I do start to feel stressed and sort of claustrophobic in a large crowd. But this is really interesting---the connection between panic disorder and IC. I'd never heard that before, despite having read tons on IC and related disorders. But I did just recently read that panic attacks are connected to and maybe caused by allergies, which are an autoimmune problem. Many ICers have allergies, including myself. I know my aunt has panic attacks, and she has bigtime allergies.

There's a website on autoimmune disorders that's really interesting: American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, www.aarda.org
You can fill out a survey at the site about your IC and related disorders. I think it's a good idea, to help spread the word about IC. I just received info from the AARDA in the mail, in which they state there are over 100 autoimmune disorders! They list IC as one, as well as others that we ICers tend to get.

[Dixiefireball]

I didn't have attacks until after i was dx. with IC.

[Dani72]

I suffer from OCD and Panic disorder and agoraphobia. I've had those and bladder problems (IC now) for 10 years.
Danielle

[arcticfox]

I suffer from Panic Attacks as well. At one time I did have agraphobia (fear of the open places) I have come a long way! I still get anxious but I have learned many things to help me past my anxiousness. Most times I succeed. I have always known that the two (IC and Panic Attacks were related). It seemed to me like it was a endless circle.. anxiety, need to pee, more anxiety cause I have to be on a lookout for a bathroom or access to a bathroom, no bathroom or uneasy access to bathroom causes more anxiety. Get it? It just seems like a never ending circle. I have this as well as endometriosis.

Arcticfox:hi:

[curlycue]

I get Anxiety attacks every 3 months I take Prozac for it. When I get a flare I get really upset about it and worked up. Its kind of embarrasing. I really dont know what else to do except talk myself out of it. I tell myself this is just a flare and I will get over it and do alot of :pray: It really helps me. My husband sometimes gets upset and tells me you have to get over it? How in the H--- do I do that ? He has never had a sickness in his life and he is 37 he does not understand what it is to live like this on a daily basis. So I :pray: and next thing you know the flare is all over and then I start worrying when I am going to get the next one? I am going to a counsler to see if she can help me.

Thanks love
Ruth:hi: :kiss: :angel:

[hawkbabe]

I JUST HAVE HIGH ANXIETY?? WONDER IF THAT HAS ANY LINKS:dizzy: :dizzy:
KIMI

[greense]

I have had bladder problems for about ten years but I just started having panic attacks last November. In Feb. I also started having symptoms of IBS (also related to anxiety). I feel like I am breaking down at 28 :D

I never thought to connect panic attacks and IC. Thanks for the post and information!!

Take care,
An

[KimMulry]

I was put on antidepressants at age 15 and have been on them ever since. From Prozac to Welbutrin. I have had increased anxiety over the years. My blood Pressure was elevated due to anxiety at one point. Diagnosed with IC almost 4 years ago and I have times where my anxiety combined with IC keeps me from going out of my house. It sucks but the fact is I am lucky to be able to stay home when I need to. Ic can give you anxiety and anxiety can bring on an IC flare or make it worse.
It is really hard when everyday life stressers get a hold of you but
I try to focus on my breathing everyday (deeply-really using your whole lung capacity), Yoga poses, stretches and Enya music relaxes me alot. My kids like Enya too!
Before IC people use to refer to me as Super Mom. I spread my self so thin. I can't do that anymore and I have to keep reminding myself It is ok .

[kadi]

I had great success with reducing panic attacks by using the Attacking Anxiety audiocassette/workbook program advertised on infomercials. I've had very few since completing the 16 week program (it's basically cognitive therapy) and consider it one of the best things I've ever done for myself...

[makeyourday]

I would like to know more on this subject. If any of you find more on this connection please share.

In March I had a hysterectomy (I still have my ovaries).
I was home recovering, 3 weeks later I started feeling nervous, then it grew into full anxiety,chest hurting. I did not understand why? Everything was fine. I went to my Dr. and started Paxil. Then at the same time April 16th to be exact, I started having bowel symptoms for the first time in my life. The Dr. thinks it is Ulcerative Colitis. I had a colonoscopy today. He will call me after the biopsy comes back. Last week I ate a few things that are not IC friendly, and have been in a IC flare. I was running everyday till I had surgery, so I understand that I suddenly didn't have my stress reliever, but I find it curious that I went into anxiety attacks so strong when nothing was emotionally bothering me. Then I come up with a whole new problem out of the blue with the bowel thing.This has all took place within a 3 week time frame.
Thanks for raising the qeustion, I have actually been wondering about this myself.

[Iris]

I think this is a very interesting subject, I also checked out the website which was posted very interesting, thank you for posting. I was always a worrier and a panicky type, especially before I was diagnosed and things got worse and worse. Now reading about the connection between panic disorders, and anxiety and stress, I can understand why my IC was getting worse and worse. I must admit that now I am on meds which really help me out regarding my anxiety and do not let myself get so stressed, things have quieted now considerably. I am also on meds for my IC, so I am not in that viscious circle of panic, stress, and IC flare ups all the time. Thanks again for the autoimmune site. Hugs Iris.:hi: :thumbsup:

[Donna L]

I had my first panic attack when I was 15. I am now 63. The meds used back then are not like what are used now. So much of my life was spent feeling as tho I had no control over my panic disorder. Now the meds are not meant to tranquilize an much as they are to help cope or eliminate the panic. I no longer use any meds,(for anxiety) but it has only been the last 10 years or so that I feel "normal" and grateful that I can now do what used to be impossible. That is as normal as you can feel when you have IC. If it's not one thing it's another. I would have never thought to combine the two, but if stress plays a role, then any one with a panic disorder is a likely candidate for IC.........Donna l

[rachelm]

I have not had a panic attack in 5 years but I used to get them very frequently and badly. I was on everything from prozac, paxil, welbutrin to Klonipin and another drug for long acting effects can't remember the name. In the past years I haven't had any that stood out to me but I used to have sharp pain down my arm and a stabbing pain in my chest. This is very interesting to consider the relation. I've had bladder problems my entire life always wondering why I was so different and got infections 8 times a year. My IC is much more controled now but I'm constantly learning that so many things are connected and effect different parts of the body.

[Donna L]

My panic was more agoraphobia coupled with fear of being alone (nasty combination) I managed the "being alone" one with drugs(tranquilers) Once they came out with meds like vallium, I saw a great improvement in my life quality. I became a "born again" christian 10 years ago, and when in an agoraphobia mode (mostly when driving, and heaven forbid I'd get caught in a traffic jam) I was able to say "OK God, I got me this far, now YOU need to get me the rest of the way."I'd play my favorite worship cd and my fear would just go away..It's been a process, but over time, my life became normal. Now I 'm here on this site attempting to learn coping skills once again.I've learned a lot these past few months because we are willing to share..........Thanks to all who post......Donna L

2nd Timothy1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear;but of power, and of love,and of a sound mind.

[SusieQ045]

i suffered from anxiety/panic attcks before i was diagnosed with IC. they seem to be worse after the onset of IC

[Cheries]

I did not really have a lot of anxiety until I had IC either. It kind of makes you anxious when you can't pee!!!! I also got that infomercial tape set. I only had to listen to one tape and I haven't had an anxiety attack since!!! I couldn't believe how it was simply linked to the THOUGHTS I was having (combined with a predisposition for anxiety I think). My mom is sort of OCD and quite hyper.Don't know if I got it from her or not.

[ibtracy]

I've suffered from anxiety my whole life, I'm just a very nervous person. I have social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, suffer from panic attacks, depression and my nervousness has spread to my colon and when I get really nervous or upset about something my Irritable Bowel Syndrome kicks in. All in all, I'm moody, nervous and very, very anxious! When I get anxious, nervous, upset or mad, my IC symptoms worsen as well. I'm surprised to find out that anxiety and IC are related, that's interesting. Amazing what us ICers can find on our own, huh? :idea:

I hope all of us can relax for the holidays. But if any of you are like me, you're a wreck cause things aren't bought, wrapped, under the tree, baked, cards aren't signed and mailed, you forgot to buy some people presents and need to weed through the crowds yet AGAIN. No wonder I have anxiety and can't sleep. :( I hate stress and I hate being nervous all the da** time.

Tracy K.

[dminton]

A lot of my anxiety turned out to be from blood sugar imbalances that were chronic, I didn't even know I had them until they got so bad I figured it out on my own. Now I'm on a very low-carb diet and a lot of the anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations, tension, and many other symptoms went away.

Diana.

[green_the_fish]

Shelley, major props for bringing this up! I've seen the stats for this connections floating around before, but I never really stopped to think about it before.

As it says in my siggy, I have bipolar disorder, type one. Before I was diagnosed as such, I had been unofficially diagnosed with panic attacks. They started when I was about 12.
After my diagnosis, though, the doctors told me that it was not unusual for people with bipolar disorder to have panic attacks, so I should focus more on treating my bipolar than on the panic attacks. My mother and I still have a debate going as to whether my panic attacks are true panic attacks, or if they are a subfacet of the bipolar. I think that being bipolar makes one more likely to have panic issues, but that they are still basically the same sort of panic issues that non-bipolar people have. However, I don't really think of myself as having an anixety disorder, I think of myself as having BPI with occasional panic attacks.
Oh, and though I was diagnosed with BPI about a year after I got diagnosed with IC, the team of docs at the ward said that I had probably had it since I was pretty young, and gone undiagnosed.

Well, on the topic of IC, I wonder if the pain and symptoms of IC might yeild the panic disorders. That is to say, many people might have the dormant succeptability for panic disorders, but it may require a long-term source of stress, such as IC, to trigger the disorder and make it active. Otherwise, it may have remained just a genetic succeptability, as opposed to a full-blown disorder. That's just my theory.

This is a really interesting topic, and I think it would be cool to see more research on it.

BTW, 1tuffcookie: thanks for the link! I'll go check out aarda.org now.

[pottywoman]

I have had them long before the IC happened. I get very nervous around groups and people of just one but that was caused by going to the doctors when I was young. Not a good experience. I do know since the IC happened it is much worse but then I think that could be due to worrying about bathrooms and becoming a shut in.

[green_the_fish]

Hey, I just had my mother read this article, and an interesting thought occurred to me while we were discussing it.

Does anyone know if tachycardia is related to weakness in the mitral valve?

The article that poetgirl posted mentioned that IC and weakness in the mitral valve were also linked. Well, my mother has had tachycardia for a long time, and I wonder if there may be a connection between her heart and my bladder. I don't really know anything about heart conditions, though. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

[PatL]

I started having panic attacks around the age of 18 (am almost 59) and don't remember when I didn't have a bladder problem, but undiagnosed until 2002. My attacks would come and go, sometimes the pounding heart and feeling of dread, but in the car it's as if I lose feeling in my feet and hands and have a terrible feeling of vertigo--keeps me off the freeway. Years ago took valium, then stopped. Several years ago started xanax but only when I had to drive any distance. For a few years have been taking klonopin morning and afternoon. I think my attacks are linked to sleep deprivation and anxiety about getting through the day without falling asleep at the wheel or whatever. I've tried several antidepressants, but have had reactions to all of them. Also have taken med. for hypertension for years. Funny thing is, when I have been hypnotized by a psychiatrist, my blood pressure is normal. I went to one several years ago for my blood pressure when it was a little out of control. What a strange link, but I have read about a lot of IC people who take klonopin.

[fcombs]

I have suffered much with panic disorder, but I have been fortunate to have doctors who were compassionate and gave me Valium. Valium is addictive, but it is also a wonder drug as far as I'm considered. Dr. Brookoff gave it to me in suppository form for bladder spasms. I use the oral Valium for anticipatory anxiety to ward off full-fledged panic attacks, and to cope with IC. If I had not had something to "take the edge off," I really don't know what I would have done.

fcombs

[mela414]

I've suffered from panic attacks for a while and on occasion had to take something or it but they have gotten worse since I've been having more health problems. IC being a big stressor! this past friday I had the MOTHER of all panic attacks and thought I was going to pass out, drop to the ground! Thank god my hubby was there to help me through it along with an ativan.
I've also been getting more neuropathy(burning in the arms, legs, feet)and it felt like my body was on fire! Everything was burning more than it usually does. I am now convinced that stress will exacerbate whatever is going on at the time. It may not be the cause of my neuropathy but it magnified it 10 times! Of course, the more burning I felt, the more my throat tightened, the more I couldn't breathe! What a horrible viscious cycle. I tried breathing excercises but at that point it was too late............and as I felt it coming on I couldn't stop it. I decided to give Lexapro a try as my neurologist gave it to me for the burning about 2 months ago and I never gave it enough of a chance to work. He also gave me ativan to take twice daily. I did it for while and then went down to once a day. I was so frightened by what happened on friday that I know I need to be on something daily. I will follow up with the neuro next week and discuss with him the increased frequency in these panic attacks! Of course then the IC hurt more the next day too. :(

[icjen]

I voted uncertain, b/c I've yet to have an actual dx of anxiety attacks. I am undiagnosed for symptoms such as SOB, palpatations, weakness, shakiness, heaving legs, dizziness, lightheaded, tachycardia, nausea...usually they will occur when I first arrive at work. Although I've had it occur in the comfort of my own home, when I am alone and completely unstressed. These symptoms can occur all at once or just one at a time throught the day. They are relating these so far to tachycardia causing symptoms but still being tested and trying new meds to find the reason. I also have symptoms of cloudyness in my head all day, and generized shakiness throughout the day. I have considered the possiblity of panic attacks, expecially since my mother has them, but have yet to be diagnosed.
Jen

[RAS]

never dxd with panic disorder. But I'm just finishing my first major flare of IC (not officially dxd 'til next week). I had always had problems with nocturia, but one day I suddenly had to go to the bathroom and couldn't locate one. A few days later I was exercising less as I had a marathon on my schedule, suddenly I was peeing all night and not sleeping. I was given Ambien and could get only 2-3 hours, so I had no energy to exercise at all. I somehow managed my marathon only dealing with extreme cottonmouth and then my flare was affecting everything from my back and what I called "firecrotch". I was crying all day and then I was making supper and suddenly couldn't swallow and I was hyperventilating and getting dizzy.

My aunt (in her late 70s) started having panic attacks 2 years ago. My younger sister said she had one last year.

[curlycue]

yes. I have always been a nervouse person. I had my first one at 27yrs of age.

[snowgirl]

always a worry wart. Type A personality. Never, never had panic attack until I had to resign from my job and go off on disability. Also, some of these SSRI"S anti depressants have given me induced panic attacks like zoloft, wellbutrin, celexa , depakote. that's enough. Vicky

[NicoleB]

i've suffered with anxiety disorders years before the IC. i also had nasty insomnia too. i saw that genetic link. very interesting. i dont doubt there is a connection.