WBCs in urine and stress

[Buffy]

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place. I've been a "lurker" here for several years...and am several years overdue with thank yous to this board for all the info I have gleened here that has allowed me to be able to take control of my IC and work towards getting better. So...getting up the nerve to ask a question now.....One of my "uncomfortable IC symptoms" is when I get WBCs in my urine. Experimentation with a couple of packs of AZO sticks was what led me to understand that when I have the "cloudy burning urine" I have elevated WBCs. And lately I have noticed that a "stressful event" will cause an immediate sense of urgency, and when I go to the bathroom my WBCs are elevated, even if I was doing ok 5 minutes prior. Tonight this happened as I was sitting at the computer panicking about work tomorrow when the washing machine suddenly overflowed. Does anyone know why stress is causing me to have the "elevated WBC attacks." And is there anything I can do when I get them? They sometimes start the ball rolling on a more significant flare and I also worry if I am causing myself long term damage. I tried looking on the boards to see if I could find an answer to this question before I posted but didn't see anything. Thanks in advance if anyone can offer any insight.

[Snowden1]

Hi, glad you are posting for the first time. You ask a very good question. There may be a couple of reasons why. First, I think when you are under stress your body makes more acid. I think stress causes an acid response. Also, it could be that your pelvic floor and other muscles tense up. I know after a hard workout muscles release lactic acid. This may be what happens when the pelivic muscles contract around the bladder. I know I have blood that appears in my urine when I am in a flare - which is most of the time for me. I thought I was doing better, but recently, maybe more stress brought out lots of pain. I know your body produces white cells to fight infection. Inflammation may be triggering this white cell response.

The strange thing is that when I have a bad cold, like others on here have said, I feel like I'm almost in remission.

So, I really don't know the answer to your question, but just have theories. Others may have better ideas why.

[ICNDonna]

Stress can absolutely cause a flare. I don't have any idea why an AZO test strip would give a positive result, but I do know they aren't 100% accurate. If you're still feeling irritation this morning, I think it would be a good idea to see a doctor to be sure you don't have an infection working.

Sending welcoming hugs --- I'm glad you finally decided to post.

Donna

[Buffy]

Hi, glad you are posting for the first time. You ask a very good question. There may be a couple of reasons why. First, I think when you are under stress your body makes more acid. I think stress causes an acid response. Also, it could be that your pelvic floor and other muscles tense up. I know after a hard workout muscles release lactic acid. This may be what happens when the pelivic muscles contract around the bladder. I know I have blood that appears in my urine when I am in a flare - which is most of the time for me. I thought I was doing better, but recently, maybe more stress brought out lots of pain. I know your body produces white cells to fight infection. Inflammation may be triggering this white cell response.

The strange thing is that when I have a bad cold, like others on here have said, I feel like I'm almost in remission.

So, I really don't know the answer to your question, but just have theories. Others may have better ideas why.
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for your response. Totally makes sense to me. I definitely think I have PFD. Have not been diagnosed, but have not tried to get any medical attention for it yet (although that is on my list of things to do.) My IC symptoms actually are more in line with "PFD" than "IC" (for which I do have a diagnosis.) Funny, I sent this post the day after a "hard workout." I think I am going to add "working out" to my list of "things to chart to see if it makes me flare." I have fibromyalgia and as much as I love to exercise and feel wonderful right after a good workout...I find I'm usually toast the next few days. Very frustrating. Its like whats good for you is bad for you. Ok, thanks again for your response. :)

[Buffy]

Stress can absolutely cause a flare. I don't have any idea why an AZO test strip would give a positive result, but I do know they aren't 100% accurate. If you're still feeling irritation this morning, I think it would be a good idea to see a doctor to be sure you don't have an infection working.

Sending welcoming hugs --- I'm glad you finally decided to post.

Donna
Hi Donna,
Well then, I need to start finding ways to better manage the stress as part of my overall treatment plan! :) And I need to find a doctor. I don't currently have one; I'm going to look in the "by region" area on the board and see if I can find some recommendations. Thank you for your response.