IC Belly

[Grinch]

i know about having the IC belly, but I constantly look like i am 4 months pregnant. Any tips, insight

[BellaLuna]

I had a colonic done today thinking it would clean me out and have the bloating look go away... it didn't all it did was cause a worse flare

[joy0212]

I have IC belly also. I have no idea what to do about it. I just found out about IC belly about 2 weeks ago.I thought I needed to go on a diet. I have no idea how to treat this.

[Briza]

I use cold packs...helps relieve the symptoms but does not make the ic belly go away. If it is any comfort, I rarely to ever suffer from IC belly these days, and if so, never NEAR as bad as the first 2 yrs. For many it seems to become not so much an issue as time goes by. But yeah, I do know the discomfort it can cause in its most extreme form!!

[Cortana-mana]

My IC Belly goes down when I do the stretches my PT gave me. Otherwise I really haven't found anything else that eases it.

I thought I was crazy for the longest time because I didn't know about the IC belly and my stomach changed sizes so much from one day to the next. I was so relieved when my PT explained that it was swelling and bloating from the disease.

[Briza]

I am pretty sure mine is/was inflammation/fluid retention related...that's why I believe the cold packs give me relief, even if they don't make the IC belly go away.

I have seen a few posts here and there that some have gotten some relief for IC belly from the antihistamine Atarax...but it doesn't seem like a for sure thing. I have not tried this med b/c I don't react well to antihistamines...I get itchy crawly eeby jeeby feelings on my skin and can't sleep when I take antihistamines.

Yeah, before I was dxd my IC belly was so bad I was worse than even the normal woman trying to find what to wear to work...was size 5/6 but my belly definitely wasn't!!! so that made finding something comfortable that could accomodate my 7 month pregnant looking belly difficult...rumors spread like wildfire thru my school that I (the teacher) was unmarried and expecting!!:lmao:

[jaisa]

Oh this is such a pain i agree! Mine is only bad when I flare--which I am right now. I am sick of wearing yoga pants-- a month ago I was able to wear my "real' clothes. If you find an answer let me know!!-Jaisa

[Grinch]

thank you for all the replies.
I too am a teacher and the rumors are rampant. My students have even named my "baby". I have had a little boy come and rub my belly. Random people ask me when I am due. It is a mess. My clothes don't fit. I 4'11" and weigh less than 100 lbs. I look very pregnant.

[Mrsrea]

Ok I have never heard of the IC belly, someone please explain! I have been wondering why my belly is pooched out more than normal. I am really small person and I look like I am newly pregnant, its so rounded out and hard like it was when I was pregnant. So I am really curious about this?!

[katie87]

jeans cause a lot of pain for me so i always looked "scrubbed out" in sweats or yoga pants, i think i look fine but some people are picky, anyway i also have the IC belly, I am only 113lbs and 5 ft 6 in. but the belly looks like I am 4 months pregnant. 6 months when Im eating a lot lol

[songbird7]

IC belly is frustrating. I spent a lot of my childhood and a part of my adult life being overweight. I finally got down to a really nice weight especially for a 66 year old woman. However, IC belly for years now no matter what. Very difficult to wear long pants. I use those wiith drawstring. I've had this for years no matter what I do. All I can do is accept it and not wear things around my waist that aggrevate the IC and can actually cause it to flare. Yes, very frustrating. The key I think is to remind myself it's part of IC and that IC can be frustrating. Even if I am in remission, belly goes down a bit but not big diiffference. My partner who is overweight can wear way nicer clothes than I can at "perfect weight for me." Acceptance. Knowing we are more than our physical appearance.

[Chellethinques]

I'm dealing with a little IC belly, too. No comments, yet, but my pants waistbands are not fitting, and it's hard to find work clothes to put on in the morning!
A few things that have helped me:
-those Spanx-type things that look like bike shorts; they don't bother me and help compress a little bit so my pants slide on and fasten
-the new style of top with the high empire waist and a line shaping under that. The longer length hides the rubber band-through-the buttonhole trick on the pants. (Anyone do that before they fit into maternity clothes, LOL?)
-dresses - Kohl's has some nice A line shaped dresses that look great with a blazer over top
-skirts - ditto the skirts - a spandex knit with a wide waistband that doesn't bind. I can wear a blouse and jacket or sweater and feel put together.
Dockers also has crisp cotton capri/crop pants with a waistband with more give to it - they say 2 inches.

[Mrs. Peel]

Full, flowing A-line tops/dresses with fitted bodice and Empire waist work for me.

Watch out for drawstrings. They can dig in when you sit and cause flank pain. I prefer a drawstring/elastic combo, but mostly wear guys' painter pants for jeans.

Overalls and jumpers are back in, too.

By the way, does anyone know what kind of bra you can wear with those new circle necklines?

[bluetou]

I find my IC belly varies day to day. When first diagnosed (last June), my belly was quite swollen. Once I started to find treatments that started to relieve some of my ic symptoms I noticed a change in my belly (getting smaller), but certainly still there.

I am a very tall 5 foot 10 inch female and quite lean and slim, I am also very active, plus my job is within the fitness industry.... so I was not very appreciative of this new buldge over my six pack abs...!

I find now my belly comes and goes depending on my daily activites, what I wear, what I eat....etc.

MY best time of day for my belly is when I first wake up....it is flat and you can see my strong ab muscles....as the day goes on....you can see my belly grow (as my bladder must get irritated) with my daily schedule.

Even now where I am feeling well I still have the ic belly.....it comes and goes in its size....everyday I try to just accept it, and know this is it...some days are easier then others....I try to tell myself how grateful I am for everything else in my life ...I find empowering myself with more positives then negatives, helps see more rainbows in life then storm clouds.....

Peace
Blue
:pray:

[VickiB]

I find my IC belly comes and goes with my flares. It's like I need to take two different sets of clothing along when I travel, -just in case. Frustrating!

Vicki

[purpleviolet]

I was shocked when I mentioned IC belly to my urologist who has been specializing in IC for years. I now know how out of touch she is with really doing her research and reading up on stuff. Every time I show her articles she is like oh I never heard of this...I think they should pay me instead of me paying them. I feel like a teacher sometimes. Could IC belly be related to "idiopathic edema" which by the way 2 people in a IC study who were helped with dextroamphetmines had. Now is this edema hormonally related (i.e. period related)? Is it a fluid retention or an inflammation or both. I think this should be studied seriously and addressed by research. PV

[jane2]

I wondered about the belly, it comes and goes with the pain and spasms of the bladder. I also have fibro and when I have a fibro flare the belly appears again. I was wondering which comes first for me the ic of fibro flare, they always appear hand in hand. At least I now know why the stomach bloats. I was thinking it was something else.

This site and it's people are great.
southern hugs,
jane2

[Preacher-Girl]

Jane.....are you "with child"?


:biglaugh:

You made it so easy!!! How could I resist?

But seriously. I think I have idiopathic edema and the birth control pill and IC have just made it worse. I feel like the Stay Puft Marshmellow Man from Ghostbusters. Lame.

[c2miracle]

Oh Yes! The IC BELLY. Fun? NOT!
A few years ago before I was diagnosed and had no clue what was going on, but knew something was up, I had a lady come up to me and ask "when are you due? I said excuse me, when am I due? Ah, I'm not pregnant! " No, are you sure" she says, "you look pregnant". I said I have some health issues going on, plus it would be a MIRACLE if I was, since I've had a complete hysterectomy. She then said "Oh, but I feel you may be pregnant" She would not give up :bonk: I went home that day crying to my husband who consoled me. It could of been the clothes I was wearing but it had alot to do with the IC BELLY! Yucko! :)

[Spitfire]

Hello,

Thank you for this thread. I am so new to all of this and it makes me feel better knowing that I am not alone. I have been having terrible symptoms the past few days (after having trouble with the IC diet) and now I see the correlation between the flares and the belly :bonk:.

[jleblanc]

I also have the very annoying swollen abdomen. It has been really bad for the last week, and very uncomfortable. I feel like someone blew up a balloon and made me swallow it. Sometimes it also makes breathing more difficult.
Does anyone find themselves with sharp lower right ab pain? Mine is where I would expect my appendix is, fairly constant to varying degrees. It is worse with pressure....when I push on it, it can be quite painful. More of a sharp pain...familiar to anyone else???? I have had my ovaries checked out, that does not seem to be the problem. Any ideas from anyone?

[jane2]

I used to get the belly more often than now that I am in treatment. I do think using a antispasmtics help with the belly. I also use lots of ice and usually next day the belly is gone. I also believe in trigger points. Just hunt around on your belly and find the hottest spots. I do all the muscle that tie into the groin area and that seems to help too. I am going to ask Uro if I could use more antihistimines . I think that is where the swelling comes from. I can either have shotting pains going up into the stomach area, or shot down toward the cervix. I will also talk to the doctor about that on my visit with him on Weds. I will try and get some answers and post anything if I get something to pass along.

[keydawn]

Yes, I've struggled with the IC belly since this first started for me last July. What I have noticed is that when I flare, the IC belly usually swells and it can be quite painful for up to several days depending on the severity of the flare. Since I have been taking Cystoprotek I think the IC belly is better- which makes sense since it is supposed to be reducing histamine problems (like antihistamines do). But I do still get it several times a month- it just doesn't seem to last as long or be as severe.

Also, I have been seeing a GI specialist recently for intermittent belly pain- and I have also had that lower quadrant pain. In fact, when he examined me he noticed some tenderness in that area. I'm supposed to have a colonoscopy in another week- my abdominal CT was clear. He suspects IBS, which I believe I've had on/off for years. I think the IBS may account for some of the swelling and abdominal tenderness at times too. So if you're continuing to have pain/tenderness, it probably wouldn't hurt to talk to a GI doctor. l think IBS (particularly when it is not under good control) aggravates IC.

[glassd18]

Yeah I remember quite a few years ago when I was really young a guy commented saying I looked pregnant... I don't think it is as bad as it used to be but then again I've had it so long now that I don't really notice it anymore anyway. I did a lot of sit ups, and use ice packs, and that all helps. I definitely feel and look better when things are flowing properly in the colon.

[glassd18]

Oh and I agree with Keydawn about the IBS. I'm fairly certain I have IBS, and am suppose to go for my colonoscopy as I am way overdue, but I can't afford it right now.

[bamagirl]

IC belly is frustrating. I spent a lot of my childhood and a part of my adult life being overweight. I finally got down to a really nice weight especially for a 66 year old woman. However, IC belly for years now no matter what. Very difficult to wear long pants. I use those wiith drawstring. I've had this for years no matter what I do. All I can do is accept it and not wear things around my waist that aggrevate the IC and can actually cause it to flare. Yes, very frustrating. The key I think is to remind myself it's part of IC and that IC can be frustrating. Even if I am in remission, belly goes down a bit but not big diiffference. My partner who is overweight can wear way nicer clothes than I can at "perfect weight for me." Acceptance. Knowing we are more than our physical appearance.
songbird,

I know how frustrating this is. I have always been small so my IC belly really stands out. I too wear loose clothing. I don't go out too much because of my IC so I wear cut off sweat pants and t-shirts a lot (very comfortable).

[Hannah13]

i know about having the IC belly, but I constantly look like i am 4 months pregnant. Any tips, insight


I feel your pain. I am queen of the black, stretchy pants. :bonk:

[Diamic65]

Oh I have IC belly too. It can be a pain. No matter what my weight is- ITS STILL THERE. I'm at a nice weight for my age 44. But I have to be careful of what type of pants I buy. It can not be tight. I hate it:mad:

[dking2]

Mine is not going away though. I will talk to my uro about the antihistamines.
I hate looking pregnant. At least now I have a the reason for it.

[Diamic65]

So I guess there is no hope for that IC belly. I was going to talk to my doctor about but I guess there is no reason to ask her. I always make sure my tops cover my waist. I tried to to abb work outs and it never helps. All it dose is make my bladder hurt.:rant:

[Rocklandgal]

I have never heard of IC belly before! Is it just there for good? Is the bladder really that swollen? I wasn't making a connection to IC. I thought that I just could not lose weight. Wow. Another thing to think about.
Karen

[Diamic65]

Well for me the IC belly is not going away:mad: I've tried to to do abb workouts and it caused to much pain in my bladder. Sometimes I look like I'm going to have a baby.:rant:

[bluetou]

My belly has improved...but now I am faced with IBS belly!! ugh...bloat, distention of my abdomen....just when I got my ic under control...I am now hit with IBS! go figure....it is always something....

Peace
Blue
:pray:

[Diamic65]

I know what you are talking about. I have IBS and the IC. My husband said one time- its always something. :bonk:

[bluetou]

I know it can get so frustrating...ugh...just being recently diagnosed with IBS, this stomach thing is annoying and embarressing, and uncomfortable.

What I find so hard is that I have been having a hard time understanding how to eat with IBS...I have been online reading (it is so confusing)....trying to figure out what may be causing myself more bloat...etc...ugh...

Peace
Blue
:pray:


I know what you are talking about. I have IBS and the IC. My husband said one time- its always something. :bonk:

[Rocklandgal]

What does everyone think is actually swollen that is giving you IC Belly?
Karen

[jane2]

I don't have the link but there is a post here from a doctor who said it was due to swelling---maybe from mast cells. I never had the connection before either until I came to this site. I was doing tons of ab work and it just got worse. I even told my uro doc that doing ab work hurt my bladder. Right now I have slacked off doing crunchs and doing the plank movement 2-3 times a day. If I get swollen ice is my friend and doing pressure points also helps. Just start at the groin area and press down; you will quickly find tender points, press down and hold each point 30 sec for 3 times and then move on. I also have found just doing isometric on my abs work well too without causing the bladder to protest too much. Antihistimines work well for me too. Not the ones mentioned on this site, but they do seem to help.

someone mentioned a while back that they continued to do ab exercises and then just iced afterward.

off for my last DMSO treatment.

[westiemom]

I definitely feel your frustration and pain. I've got both IC and IBS so sometimes I have trouble deciding which one is causing the "enlarged" stomach.

One day when I was in a horrible flare my husband even commented that he could watch it grow and how freaky it was. Even though I'm overweight, this definitely stands out from the rest of my body and it's obvious it isn't a weight issue.

I always have this fear that someone's going to ask me when I'm due. I think they'll get a good punch in the mouth if it ever happens.

[peaches12345]

I have the IC belly. I get the same question...so when are you due. I have tried diets and workout sessions but noting has seemed to help. It also does not help when I am in a flare up. I seem to be so drained latley that it is hard to get up and move. I am going back to my doctor. I always say that the cycle continues.