If it's not one thing, ...

[TiaTia]

I always thought I would thrive in pregnancy, be all glowing...blah, blah, blah. I am trying not to be too hard on myself about this, but I have just been sick as hell! I want to enjoy being pregnant so much, but I have just been miserable more often than not. Some of you know from my other posts that I have been super sick with nausea and vomiting, as well as symptomatic gall stones. Now I am in a terrible IC flare, and have a UTI. Ugh! I know a lot of people out there in the world in general are dealing with much worse, and I am so, so, so incredibly grateful for the miracle of this baby, so I don't want to vent too much. I was just wondering what kind of things others out there did for flares when they were (are) pregnant? The doctor has me on Percocet, but it isn't helping much at all. Before I was prgenant, I would take Xanax when I was in a bad flare, and that would help relax my bladder (and myself) a lot. But I can't do that right now. Any suggestions (or even just commiserating) would be greatly appreciated. Take care, all...
Cristina

[crystilclear]

It's wierd I have read some where that a lot of people with IC have their symptoms ease up during pregnancy but not me either!!! I didn't even know I had it. They did all sorts of crazy things with me. Atleast you know what your problem is. I took T3, brethine (to stop contrctions 6x a day), tons of different antibiotics (which gave me horrible diarria and yeast infections), tons of over the counter stuff like bottles upon bottles of tums, a lot of Pepto, Mylanta, Imodium, Tylenol, Benedryl, Ibuproferin,... It was aweful. Talk to them ask lots of questions. I didn't know it then but because I was flarring constantly and cramping so hard it kept the contractions going and would make me begin to thin out and dialate. Without the brethine I would have had my son at four months. I was on bed rest with all 3 kids!!! I was not smart enough then to stick up for myself and participate in my health decisions. I read your post before and I know how you feel. Your emotions aren't helping you calm down any either. I felt so much better after I got through my first trimester. I've had two misscarriges too. You especially need to be careful around the flu season (luckily it has passed). My girlfriend had two misscarriges from getting the flu really badly in the firtst trimester. I even fell down my stairs while I was carrying one of them and you know what they are doing just fine. So fine they run circles around me and drive me absolutely crazy. You hang in there and take care. It will all work out. How far along are you? I hope everything works out and you get some much needed rest and relief for you and your precious little one. take care - Chris

[jen_dahling]

I don't get it. You can take percocet but not xanax while pregnent??!?!?!? Aren't they both a narcotic that could harm the baby?
I too had a hard pregnancy with my second one. My first one was great. All of that glowing stuff, life was great. I thought my 2nd one would be the same. It wasn't! My hubby used to tease me that I changed into a monster. Seriously though, it did present some issues with our relationship that were hard to deal with. Unfortunately, it took another 4 years to find out that my problems since that pregnancy have stemmed from IC.
The good news? Somehow, no matter what we go through while pregnant, when your baby arrives, at that moment, life is perfect and just as it should be. I still carry that feeling when I look at my children.
I hope you get relief soon.
Best to you!
Jen
:hi:

[atkinsonfmaily]

I just want you to know that I totally understand what you are going through. I am 20 weeks and 1 day pregnant today and I have been in pain since 10 weeks. Some days it is tolerable and other days it hurts so much I don't even want to breath for fear of making it worse. I was very, very sick from 5 weeks 2 days until about 14 weeks. I vomited upto 4 times a day and was nearly hospitialized for dehydration. I initially lost 17 pounds. I have gained back about 3 lbs at this point. The doctor said not to worry about the weight loss so I try not to. I haven't taken anything for the pain. I wasn't prepared for my bladder to be this bad. This is my second IC pregnancy and the last one I had very, very few problems with. I remember having to use a heating pad a couple times and worrying about it bothering the baby, but I never felt the pain I am in now. I am afaid to take meds, just the same as everyone else. I have a perscription for Pyridium, but I just don't know if it is going to work. It might seem weird to say, but I am afraid to take it because what if I do and am still in horrid pain? Then what am I suppose to do? I don't have any other meds options to try. I tried to ask the doctor about having something stonger on hand just in case and I kindof got a wait and see answer. He was reluctant even about the Pyridium at first and said to take only if absolutely necessary. People just don't understand what it feels like to be in this kindof pain. I have not had real trouble like this since my IC started 5 1/2 years ago. I haven't had pain for 2+ years before this pregnancy except for the day or two before my period and even that was tolerable. I was eating and drinking as I please. I just don't understand why I am in pain now. I am eating very, very carefully. My hormones are not flucsuating (sp?) - not like I am "cycling." Hormones moderate during pregnancy, of course at very high levels, which could be something, but I have only been in pain since 10 weeks -- at which point they would already have been really high. So that doesn't seem to make sense. I hurt really bad after I urinate. Does anyone else have that problem? Sometimes it hurts so bad I almost can't stand up or sit down for a good 20 - 30 minutes after going. About 2-5 minutes after I urinate I get that awful pressure that feels like I still have to go, but I have had a bladder scan and know that I am emptying my bladder fully. When the pain first started, at 10 weeks, I remember thinking how am I going to make it another 30 weeks. Now that I am 20 weeks I can't believe I have made it this far and yet I still wonder how I can stand another 20 weeks of pain. It seems so unfair that we have to be in this much pain, during a time that should be filled with joy, when there is so very little we can do about it. I just hope to be able to survive the next 20 weeks. The baby appears to be healthy and moving around like crazy. Essentially that is all that matters. In the meantime I just cry alot and pray for mercy.

[TiaTia]

Thanks for the responses.

Jen...The answer to your initial question is no. Percocet and Xanax are not even remotely related. Percocet is a narcotic analgesic, and Xanax is a benzodiazepine. Ironically, narcotic analgesics are one of the safest medications that a pregnant woman can take. Percocet is not harmful to the baby. Believe me, I checked. Benzodiazepines, however, can cause congenital defects, particularly in the first trimester. So...

I am nine weeks along. Due on January 21. It is so exciting, but yes, it is wreaking havoc on my body. I just wish I were physically stronger for the baby, you know? Healthier? I try to make sure I keep laughing with my husband, not get too depressed, etc. But that is easier said than done, you know?
Atkins...I know what you mean. I have been a COMPLETE terror to my husband. He has been fantastic...cooking and cleaning 99% of the time because I have been so sick. He has been so excited and so loving...it is sweet. I just don't want to push my luck. It isn't fair of me to expect that he will be able to put up with me being *****y for nine months.
I will definately be getting a flu shot when the time comes, because that is the last thing I need.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and for the support. It definately helps to hear from others who have gone through this. Take care...
Cristina:hi:

[Jen_Cole]

I had my husband massage me where it hurt the most during my first pregnancy. Not sure that would help you, but I thought I'd toss that one out. :)

[Marlana]

I have not even been officially dx and I am petrified to have sex...I am afraid it might hurt. It never did before but now that I read that it could, my mind will probably make me believe it..LOL..My poor dear hubby

[IBNPAIN]

I gave up on sex over a year ago. I stopped saying "my poor husband" when he kept telling me it was all in my head. I didn't have IC until well after I had my daughter, so I can only imagine what you poor women are going through. Maybe after delivery the IC will go away. We can always hope, right?

[dancemomof2]

Tia,


Just PM'd you hope it helps

[Melanie]

My Dr told me how he treats his flared IC pregnant patients... He said bladder installs can help. He said Lidocaine is safe. And I think the other one was Heparin.

I know the very thought of a catheter is icky. But a few yrs ago, the nurse taught me to self cath and it is MUCH less painful to do it yourself.

Hope you are feeling better!

[tigger_gal]

hugs to you I am so sorry you are I'll... I have a question 4 you.. This is your first baby and you are about 11 weeks now... I was horribly sick and could not eat or drink.. I have the rh neg factor in my blood and my husband was postive.... I had to get a rogan shot at ?? weeks and after her birth.... Is this a possibility?
:kiss:
Brat

[Dixiefireball]

WOW perocets while preg.. My doctor wouldnt had dared to put me on such a powerful pain killer while preg. and i had gall stones with my second baby and talk about pain and they wouldnt give me nothing.
I hope that is safe for the baby and i pray you get feeling better soon.
for you and the baby when i was sick like that i did alot of things you are doing sick all the time also ill.
i was a monster, because of the gall stones and UTI i ended up having my daughter a mth before time. :( but think God she was still 6pd 11oz she was so little when my boys was so much bigger.
hope all goes well let us know
Rhonda

[crystilclear]

Brat I'm rh negative too. I got the rogam shot at 7 months and after delivery. I had absolutely Horrible pregnancies. My hubby is O positive and uncompatible with me. Our kids are all positive too. I thought that was why I had all the problems I had. While I was pregnant I flarred constantly. The spams constantly triggered premature labor. I was on bed rest for all three. I had tons of problems with bleeding, constant reoccuring bacterial infectiuons, spasmed out of control, and ear, throat, and nose infections. Just a whole lot of craziness. They had me on breathine and T3, antibiotics, benedryl, and imodium. Well I was wondering how many people with Ic are rh negative and if they had complications during pregnancy. Have a wonderful night and take care - Chris :)

[TiaTia]

Brat...

They tested me for the Rh thing, and I was fine. Things, unfortunately, are getting worse with my IC, but they did take my gallbladder out. That is why I haven't been on here in awhile. God...that was nerve-wracking (having surgery). I was so terrified, especially that morning. I was extremely sick afterwards, and they had to keep me overnight in the hospital, but the baby is great! They did an untrasound the next morning, and he/she was kicking, and punching, and doing flips. It was amazing to see, and helped put my mind at ease. Anyway, I am glad that part is over. I am looking forward to having the baby, and just pray every day that it will be healthy. That would make all of this more than worth it...
Cristina

[jen_dahling]

TiaTia- I'm glad that you and baby are ok. I couldn't imagine having surgery while pregnant.
I am Rh neg., too. My hubby is O+. I wonder if this information has been given or asked for in IC research. It is part of the auto immune response, right? Isn't that a theory about IC, too....that IC is an auto-immune disorder?
Curious if anyone has any thoughts!

[crystilclear]

Jen I was wondering if that was a link as well. I figured they would have taken that into consideration wouldn't you? But I haven't read anything related to that topic. It would be interesting to have a poll on how many ICer's have rhnegative blood to. I never developed RH negative disease either. I always have the shots during and after my pregnancies. A nurse I was talking to said that before the shot was manufactured a lot of woman with this problem gave birth to blind, and sometimes deformed children because of how the mother's body would attack the baby. Sometimes babies were stillborn. I'm so glad for the Rogam shot! All three of my babies were born very healthy me on the other hand became VERY sick with each pregnancy. When I was pregnant with #3 my hubby's company downsized and I was on medicaid for the remainder of the pregnancy. I was definately treated A LOT differently. Noone ever took the time to figure out why I had such bad complications when I was pregnant. I'm still not sure why exactly? I wonder why some woman go into remission when prego and others don't? I feel like a large part of my problems are hormonal maybe that's why. Just thinking out loud. Anyways I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Take care - Chris :kiss:

[jen_dahling]

Here is an article takling about IC and how it could be an autoimmune response following a bladder infection. I know that this doesn't apply to a number of Icers, but it sure applies to some. It is from the National Kidney and Urologic Info. Clearinghouse. I'm sure some of us have seen it in our research.
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/
I think that it is very interesting that IC may be an autoimmune response just like our own bodies have an autoimmune response to Pos. blood types because we are Rh factor Neg.
My first pregnency was ok. There were some aftermath complications that had me undergo a cervical freeze 6wks. post-pardum. Recieved my shot of rogham within the 24 hr. period after delivery. My 2nd. pregnancy was a whole different ballgame! I had horrible nausea and had severe contractions all during my 3rd trimester that had my gyno so scarred that I had to do "spit" test every other day to check for some hormone that is released by the baby when in "true" labor. I never dialated and actually had to be enduced in the end. Go figure. Needless to say, we are done with two. My body can't endure another pregnency like that again.
Is there a moderator out there that might think that this info. could merrit a new poll?
Best to all.