Stress and IC

[westiemom]

I know stress can be a huge IC flare trigger for me and for many others. Right now I'm going through some seriously stressful times in my life and I was just wondering what do you guys find works the best for you to relieve your stress striggered IC flares or at least minimize their effects?

[Rainwilds]

I know stress can be a huge IC flare trigger for me and for many others. Right now I'm going through some seriously stressful times in my life and I was just wondering what do you guys find works the best for you to relieve your stress striggered IC flares or at least minimize their effects?

Hello there,

I'm sorry to hear you're having some stressful times! :(

I really feel that IC and stress are closely linked so I try my hardest to reduce my stress levels (but not so hard that it makes me more stressed!).

Here are some ideas you could try:

(1) A warm bath with lavender oil.
(2) Putting a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow before you sleep at night.
(3) Doing some deep breathing exercises.
(4) Visualization (works even better if you have been deep breathing for a few minutes). Basically, just picture in your mind how you would want to be feeling right now, and really believe that you are feeling that way.
(5) Listen to relaxing music.
(6) If you can tolerate it, maybe a light walk.
(7) If you're a reader, grab a good book, a heating pad, some pillows and cushions and get stuck into it! You can maybe even make a nice hot carob drink (if you can tolerate it) to warm you up!
(8) Your thoughts are very important - whenever you can, try and change the perspective on a seemingly bad situation. Try and pull anything positive out of it, or think 'What is the worst that can happen?' I find that this can often jump start me out of a bad state!

I hope these helped a little! Take care, and I'm hope you start feeling a littler more relaxed soon.
Ally

[ICNDonna]

I find that watching a good movie helps me relax. I like to sit back in a recliner with my heating pad and a hot drink (cold drink in summer).

Donna

[SharonA]

I tend to curl up on my couch and try to distract myself with TV or do Sudoku Puzzles. Anything that takes my mind off of what is going on around me.

[icnewlywed]

Stress is my main trigger (right after onions)....

I recently tried yoga at my gym and was amazed to find it wasn't just for people who are human pretzels. Just the breathing they teach alone makes all the stress melt away. I also bought some lavender oil and will use that before I get into bed at night.

Journaling also helps if your going through a really tough time and just need to get it all out. Sometimes it helps your mind to stop replaying it in your head if you can get it out paper.

I hope things get better for you! :pray:


The basics of yoga breathing is you breathe in through your nose and fill your lungs up from bottom to top (you can test this by placing one hand right below your sternim and one hand right below your collar bone; your bottom hand should rise before the top one). You then exhale through your mouth making sure the breathe comes from out from the bottom of your lungs first (so your bottom hand should go down before your top hand).

[crazy_beautiful]

It seems everyday of my life brings on a new dawn of stress! you may have read my thread FASD Babies! I personally take xanax, I was taking them only one at night but find that taking them the 3 times a day as needed as it was written helps me a great deal, and life less on edge.
relaxing ideas when I actually have a moment of peace and quiet.
a hot bath
pluging the ear phones into my puter and listen to music.
a good movie.
a hobby, mine is painting ceramics.
petting the dogs lol
sitting out side on a warm day.
reading The Message by Eugene Peterson.

I hope you find stress free days soon.

[starflight]

I have always known stress triggers my IC, which leads me to wonder if it's some endorphin issue which then creates an autoimmune response :l like stress horomones somehow being released triggers a response to attack the bladder in our immmune system, ugh *** kind of screwed up world is it!

[Skynard]

I was recently diagnosed, so I have massive anxiety in the morning, but I also have nausea with it. It seems to be only when my nerves are on edge. Anyone else have this?

[Dakota]

I have also had nausea when I'm stressed. Stress is my worse IC trigger, and when it starts I have a really hard time getting it under control. However, my anxiety attacks seem to come on in the early evening for some strange reason. Wish I knew why, because my IC flares worse from this then any food or drink I might have.

[Snowden1]

I too had severe anxiety attacks, mostly in bed at night. I also was very sick to my stomach, but never threw up. I started taking Lexapro and Clonazepam and it helped so much. I do seem to have some retention and more pain with the Lexapro, but mentally I am not ready to switch. I would like to add Amatriptiline, for pain, but don't know if I can mix this with the Lexapro.
Teresa

[Landish]

A good massage gets rid of the stress.

[timrik]

I have also had nausea when I'm stressed. Stress is my worse IC trigger, and when it starts I have a really hard time getting it under control. However, my anxiety attacks seem to come on in the early evening for some strange reason. Wish I knew why, because my IC flares worse from this then any food or drink I might have.

I have only recently been diagnosed, and it more than likely completely stress related due to a breakup! Everyday I feel nauseated but dont throw up, IBS gets worse and the feeling of pressure on the bladder is always there. Some nights when im cooling down for the day i also suffer anxiety attacks, but its nice to know im not insane and that others are having the same responces to stress out there.
Has anyone had it go away when the stress does?!?
Or any natural/non prescription things that have really helped?

[Diamic65]

I hear you. I'm dealing with a lot of stress right now. Its been a nightmare. I have a bad IC FLARE going on day 4. I woke up this morning with blood after I pee. I know its not an infection. I feel like breaking windows and screaming my head off.:cussing: I can't even sleep or hardly sit down. I tried to watch old movies and I just can not do it. Cuddling up with a blanket and watching one of those old movies use to work for me. I'm at the point that I don't know what to do.

DIAMIC65:help:

[Snowden1]

Timrik,
Yes, my sick feeling in my stomach went away as soon as I started taking the calming medications. I don't even know that I'm stressed sometimes, but will start feeling sick to my stomach. Then if I take the medication it goes away. I was thinking it had something to do with what I was eating, but now I think it was purely anxiety. (That's what I think anyway).
Teresa

[Sheila6830]

Stress and anxiety is the worst for my IC! I too, recently have been dealing with some stress in regards to a job and my IC flared right up. That was my clue that I needed to make the right decision for my health.

I find an anti-anxiety pill and an ice pack help on my belly help.

[Bekah79]

Hot baths and reading a good book (espically The Bible) help me. A good love story on Lifetime can help as long as my bathroom trips don't interfere too much. I haven't found the right med yet to help me relax.

[FunGirl]

I am to Stress and IC, IBS


I am going threw so stress to

I have a friend very very mad at me right know and he is not talking to me.


What happened was. He was a trainer of mine and someone saw me give him an envople with money in it and when his Boss asked me if I have ever paid him for training under the table. I told the truth and I came clean.


He got fired for it and he lied to the boss. The bosses Thank me for telling the truth and I feel so guilty.

I lost a friend over it, But I am Very Very glad I told the truth. My pretcher at church was telling us that Not telling the truth gets u Nowhere.


So that's what I did. I listened to that voice inside my Head and told them the truth.


Plus the guy (trainer) was mean to me

told me that I have a Big Butt and he didn't care about my bladder and its his way or no way! Etc Etc.


But the Good thing is

I went from a Size 17 to a 11/12 in juniors ( Only 5" tall)

and from a Size large to a Xsmall to a med in shirts.


He could be nice at times when he wasn't being a jerk

He told me that I was doing a good job and I looked nice.


All my friends say He's " No good For U and To Stay Away from him"

U need someone that Cares about u and Ur bladder Etc Etc


Sorry I'm talken.


It just hurts. Thought he was my True friend.


I told him he needs to Grow Up and Act like an Adult and Stop blaming everyone else for not turning in the money to the company.

You should have done that and Not put it in Ur pocket!

But yes I was in the Wrong to. I should have never done that, But he should have Never stole it and pocket the money and told the truth when his boss asked him about Training me.

Instead he lied and is blaming it All on me.


Any Commets?

We all make mistakes and Boy have I learned my lesson:pray: