Anxiety makes a flare worse.

[izazen]

I wrote a "success story" recently scolding myself for wigging out over a flare I had last summer. I made it worse by stressing out. Much worse.

Here is a new article regarding that particular phenomenon:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110217083125.htm

[Briza]

Stress is definitely a factor for me.
Have yous seen this?
http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?p=570018#post570018

[Linda May]

Stress is a factor for me too, it did not take research for me to no that. I wish they would research for more treatments or a cure for IC. Thats where they need to put there time and money into.:pray:

[flowerangela]

i read the article and im definately trying to get all my stress and anger in check. its hard though when you have certain family members that bring on this stress and anger,yet you dont want to cut them out completely. i'm learning slowly to not sweat the small stuff for my health.

[425runner]

I know that stress doesn't cause IC but it definitely makes it worse!! I have a hard time keeping up with all the demands at work, home, etc. because of having ADD-PI in addition to all other ailments and stress makes it hundred times worse. Yesterday, I was enjoying fairly painless day until later when my boss stormed into my office asking why I wasn't done yet and that I'll need to start working overtime and Saturdays to get caught up. Vicodin here we come again...

[cmclien]

I have personally never noticed any relation to stress and my bladder symptoms. Not sure why that is.... I suffered anxiety in late 20's and since then it pops up here and there but mostly not. I DO notice my IBS gets much worse with stress and anxiety though. So maybe I experience my stress through my gut instead of my bladder. If I'm upset I feel "sick to my stomach" and will get diarrhea or be nauseas.

[Jem]

Wow! That is fascinating izazen. Thank you for sharing that article. Jem :-)

[sshannon74074]

I know that stress doesn't cause IC but it definitely makes it worse!! I have a hard time keeping up with all the demands at work, home, etc. because of having ADD-PI in addition to all other ailments and stress makes it hundred times worse. Yesterday, I was enjoying fairly painless day until later when my boss stormed into my office asking why I wasn't done yet and that I'll need to start working overtime and Saturdays to get caught up. Vicodin here we come again...

I wouldn't quite say yet that stress definately does not cause IC. I don't think they have totally excluded that. One of the theories is that cortisol which is a hormone that is produced in stressed individuals is related some way. Here is an article about some research on cats that develop similar problems while stressed.

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/assets/pdf/hospital/indoorcat/vcna041.pdf


sounds like there's been more progress with research on cats than humans
:headbang:

[cmclien]

I don't like to say that stress causes IC though I realize nothing is ruled out yet but if there was a connection it would be something about how our bodies deal with stress or maybe don't deal with stress. Generally when I'm actually aware of stress it goes straight to my gut.
It seems like there are too many conditions like IBS, TMJ which alot of us have or fibro that weren't taken seriously because of misconceptions about stress. I have pretty bad TMJ that is under control as long as I have a good night guard. I had a dentist ask me in a whispered voice if I was stressed out and I was like not that I know of....I just clench my teeth at night! :)
You know what I mean? I get nervous that certain conditions won't be taken seriously as if we're somehow "causing" it. It makes it somehow seem less valid....

[andreamarie]

I got Sjogren's in my early thirties, immediately followed by i.c. It was the happiest time of my life. I had a stressful period in my twenties, due to the death of my brother and having to deal with a serious flare of Crohn's disease at same time (I didn't know he was dying because I was in the hospital.)

However, when I flared after a near fifteen yr remission I was terrified and my PCP wouldn't cooperate with treatment I kept doing during remission. But when that was settled the symptoms reversed themselves.

Now I am flaring in vaginal wall under bladder and had an knock down, drag out with new pcp. Things were settled but I think the stress is keeping things going.

[chhhb]

Thanks for posting the article regarding stress. I've had IC for twelve years now but have been so fortunately to have the meds I'm on (Elmiron, Amytryptilene, Oxytro) keep my symptoms on a very low level most of the time. Unfortunately, I went into a flare a couple of months ago that I haven't been able to pull out of and it's really been challenging for me to keep from getting overly worried and stressed about it. The longer it goes on the harder it is not to get upset over the pain, exhaustion and not being able to eat much of anything. I'm having bladder instillations right now but so far after four of them, I'm still not pulling out of it. So, thanks for the reminder that keeping my emotions from getting the best of me will work in my favor. I pray I'll be out of this very soon. It rearlly wears on you after a while. Hope you continue to do well with your meds!