Question about clothes!

[kerr4274]

My boss laughs at me almost daily. I have IC and a co-worker is 3 months pregnant. Who looks more pregnant? ME! One day I can wear size 14 jeans that are not tight..just right,,,,next day I am in knit pants and a belly like I'm 6 months pregnant. why is this happening to me? I never know what to wear, our office is very casual but what is comffy for me is my hubbys sweat pants or flannel pants. I did break down a bought a maternity knit set, pants are like work out but the jacket is a little bigger around the belly. I ahve noticed that if I am on my feet for any amount of time I swell. I did this after my hysterectomy also. I wore a pair of jeans slacks that were big on me with a black and gray sweater and low heeled shoes to work. By 10 this morning I was hooking a rubberband aroung the button on my pants so I could loosen them. this is crazy! Waht causes us to swell like that? I was not good at lunch today so I would say part of the bloating was the food I ate...grilled chicken and sweet tater....but the chicken had been grilled with onions and some worchester sauce. I didn;t pay close enoguh attention to what came with the chicken. By the time we left the restuartant I was 8 months pregn. My clothes and shoes were killing me. I spent the rest of the day without shoes on and the rubberband holding my jeans together. What kids of clothes do you wear to the office that are IC friendly?

[ICNDonna]

I am retired, but if you wear casual things to work, you might consider some stretchy knit pants --- some actually look very neat --- and they will stretch for you. And they would go with the knit shirts that have kind of an "empire" waistline just below the bust, then a little fuller below.

I wear jeans with a bit of elastic at the waist most of the time.

Donna

[traceann]

I'm about 6 months pregnant and have fallen in love with Jeans with the elastic waist too, lol. I wear the Lee jeans with what they call the "Comfort Stretch Waist Band", I am amazed by them, lol. I tried on maternity pants and they just don't fit me right at all. I've been wearing them from the time I just started to show a bit, and now there's no hiding I'm pregnant and they are still comfortable! When I get bigger I just plan on going up again in size and at least I'll have jeans that I can wear after the baby that aren't maternity.

They put no pressure on my abdomen at all, that's what amazes me. They really are very comfortable ;)

Here's a bit from a Guest Lecture here on the ICN regarding what we all lovingly call that belly bloat - the IC Belly, lol.

#11 Sandie asks "Why does an IC patient often experience the IC belly.. the generalized swelling of the lower abdomen...that so many of us have found so frustrating?" "Why does it suddenly go away?"

Dr. Theoharides - A possible explanation is that the beginning of inflammation always involves what we call increased vascular permeability, which means that the blood vessels dilate and become leaky. The first thing that happens is that a lot of fluid comes out of the blood vessels and into the tissues. Then what happens is leukocytes/white blood cells come out and that might also set up inflammation. So, to the extent that the blood vessels become leaky, alot of fluid will come out and cause the "IC belly".

The dilation of the blood vessels doesn't last a long time. To the extent that we discussed earlier, nerve endings come to the different parts of the spinal cord. This will make different parts of the abdomen swell up. In this problem a drug like Atarax could possibly be helpful because the primarily molecule that causes the swelling is histamine. One of the more effective therapies for IC is the use of antithistamine, but it's a unique antihistamine - hydroxyzine (ATARAX OR VISTARIL). It is unique because it has four properties:

Antihistamine
Anticholinergic (reduces the urge to urinate)It is sedating (reduces nocturia)
Slightly anti-anxiety (but not as good as valium) Atarax, in greek, means to calm down
It blocks mast cell activation in about 40% in the bladder, as well as elsewhere.
Unfortunately, some patients are very sensitive to the fillers used to make up Atarax. So, you have four options:

1. Try Atarax or the Vistaril brand name. Unfortunately, Pfizer has stopped making Atarax pills through December 2003.
2. Try the different generics to see if it will bother you, but try them in small amounts.
3. You could also try the hydroxyzine elixir, which has a very small amount of alcohol in it but at least, there, you can take one teaspoon (5mg) while the smallest pill is 25 milligrams... and it doesn't have the fillers that irritate others.
4. The final approach to ask your pharmacy to take pure hydroxyzine powder and just put it into a little capsule in which case there will be no filler at all. A number of patients that have other problems have resorted, effectively, to that! You just have to have a pharmacist to help you!

Here's a link right to the full transcript too:

http://www.ic-network.com/guestlectures/theotranscript0503.html

[Natsy]

I know what you mean Kerry - sometimes people (rude, nosey people) even ask me if I am pregnant because I am quite slim but sometimes I have such a swollen little belly! Irritating!

I have to dress quite smartly for work but I do tend to wear a lot of stretch fabrics. I don't really wear trousers - to uncomfortable around the stomach - so I tend to stick with skirts. I wear hold up stockings under the skirts as they are much easier for the frequent trips to the bathroom. Or I wear cooton lycra leggings with short dresses or tunics over the top.

Sometimes I actually wear maternity tops because they longer and hide my belly! And if I am wearing jeans I can undo the waist if they get too uncomfortable and the top will hide this. If you get the right maternity top it can be quite flattering.

I am so relieved that other people have this problem too. I am always getting upset about my stomach. It looks so flat sometimes and other times so round!

Hope you find something that suits your needs.

Natalie

[kerr4274]

after 3 hours of dress shopping I dinally did find something that didn;t make me look pregnant.....I can tell I am about to start another BAD flair....I have the pains in my lowe back and I am swollen again! I tried all week to eat right so this wouldn;t happen. I am so self concious about my belly all of a sudden. I guess it comes from people asking when I am due. I feel bad for them after they ask because you know they feel foolish. I do have many shirts that could pass as maternity...I love them!! I have started wearing knit pants to work and evern today I wore a pair of sweet pants ...only on Friday will this be allowed. I really need to wear panty hose with this dress but I read somewhere that this is a no no with ic. I m not sue how I am going to handle that...I could use some extra support in the tummy area.

At least it is only for one night. Thank you for the advice.

[ICNDonna]

If you don't get the control top pantyhose and if you snip out the crotch, you should be able to wear them for an occasion.

Donna