QUESTION ABOUT IC AND CONSTIPATION

[Zanni2]

Hi everyone: hi

This is something I forgot to mention in prior posts. I'm an IC patient who also has IBS. I have noticed that whenever I am constipated and have abdominal pains my bladder feels less irritated and I can sit still for an hour and a half without going to the bathroom! (Generally I urinate anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.) It's like a mini-remission. But as soon as the constipation is over, my bladder returns to it's usual irritated self. eek The same thing happens in the morning when I get up. At first, my bladder doesn't feel bad, but after my bowel movements, my bladder gets quite irritated and feelings of urgency, pressure and frequency last through much of the morning. They taper off by the afternoon and then get worse in the evening again. Why would this happen? I've heard of patients who have more bladder trouble when they are constipated, but the opposite happens to me.

Ideas, anyone? I would appreciate any insights given me.

Zanni2 angel

[ICNDonna]

If I'm constipated, my bladder always hurts too. I try to avoid it for that reason.

Donna

[classics]

Zanni,

So you are saying that when you are constipated, your bladder irritation symptoms are less. But after a bowel movement you feel worse? I have the same symptom. I hope someone can answer our question. If you haven't already done so, read the Survival Guide for Interstitial Cystitis. There's information there about Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. I'm still being evaluated for IC.

[verdicries]

The SAME THING happens to me...when I'm backed up my bladder is less irritated (although I KNOW I have a lot of urine in me!). I don't get it...?

Tracy

[shantaba]

Has anyone experienced bad hemorrhoids? My doctor had to rubberband one, to get it to "die", and I felt like I was going to die. It's been two days since the procedure, and I am still in major pain. Has anyone experienced this? The doctor said it would be a painless procedure. Maybe the I.C. caused the area to be super sensitive.

Thanks for the reply,

Shantaba

[Judith56]

I had the rubber band procedure- I too felt like I would pass out from the pain during it! His nurse was going to drive me home because I looked so bad, but in the end since I only lived about 3 blocks from the dr.'s office I drove myself home. He promised if I ever neeeded it done again he would do it under anesthesia. If I remember correctly I needed pain meds for days afterwards.

[shantaba]

Judith,

Sorry that it was so painful for you too. Doctors think these procedures are painless, but they don't realize we already have pain in that area. Too bad they weren't more educated about I.C.

I know constipation contributes to hemorrhoids, but for me, eating too much fiber can tear me up too. I guess I have to find some middle ground. Don't want to have another "painless" procedure.

[Tip and IBS]

I beleive diarrhea or gas are irritating to us.

[Julie B]

I am actually the opposite. If I get constipated I have terrible bladder pain. Because you have IBS, I wonder if being constipated is a symptom of the nerves settling down for a bit......and since the nerves for IBS and IC seem to go hand in hand, if your bowels are not going crazy, then your bladder is calm also.

I don't even know if that makes sense to anyone. LOL