Catching the Flare Early

[icnmgrjill]

After 11 years of dealing with IC, I've learned that the BEST way to manage flares is to catch them early. It's like fighting a fire. If I let it get out of control, it's going to take a longer time and possibly more medication to stop.

Now, in my case, I've learned that most of my IC flares are actually pelvic muscle spasms. It took a visit to a physical therapist and a PF assessment for me to see this. Really, I honestly thought that my pain was bladder pain,.... but it wasn't. It is, mostly, muscle pain.... when my pelvic muscles are tight and spasming. So... my goal in manging my "flares" is to reduce and/or eliminate muscle tension!!!!

So, If I start having pain.. and it lasts more than 30 minutes... I try to stop what I'm doing and put my feet up for just a few minutes. I want to relax those muscles. I'll also slap on a heating pad at that same time. I may use an OTC pain med as well.

I've also learned not to get into a car for a long drive if it's starting to act up. That's just a recipe for a massive flare if I do because the vibration of the car just creates more spasms.

So... in my case... this really helps me!

Anyone else seeing the connection between IC pain & muscle pain??

Now, I will say that if I eat something wrong... I will get bladder pain too... and, to me, that feels kind of like that sensation you get when you bite on tin foil... only it's inside my bladder. It's gross. For those flares... I may use some pain medication... but it's the same principle. I never wait until I'm crying before I act. I catch it early!!!!

Jill :)

[amaris]

This has been one of the hardest things for me to learn: Do something about the flare early before I'm crying and anxious because of the pain. I usually can prevent a flare from being so bad that it keeps me from working by taking OTC and using a heating pad. I also find a loose fitting dress helps by not adding any pressure to the bladder.

[tigger_gal]

I'm bad, bad, bad.... I won't take anything till I hurt really bad.. I got 90 vicodine dec 3 03 and took the last of the 90 a week ago.. and got the rx refilled then and I have taken probably 4 but I have been massivly stressed lately..... I do have pfd and have like you figured out the difference... My pain is bladder pain and spasms.. and its an all out war when I have to void...
I do agree when it starts to hurt, stop, if you can grab mr heaty lol and try to relax... and put your feet up...
Brat

[Sarojini]

Yep... trying to catch it early is the best way to go. I try to slow down, rest, and take something at the first twinges. Often, taking a muscle relaxant like Zanaflex and lying down with a heating pad can do wonders, since I do get a lot of pelvic muscle spasms like Jill. I also get true bladder pain too, though, and when that starts happening I need to take a breakthrough pain pill and a Pyridium. But like I said I try and take it at the first twinges.

[heybrej]

as soon as i feel any type of pain or even irritation, i pop in a pyridium and drink lots of water. I know that when I get into the real bad pain, I get very emotional and start crying, just so frustrated that it is happening again. All of the stress and crying makes it worse, so I try to make sure that it doenst get to that. it does sometimes, and sometimes I think that I will never be able to get used to it. Every time is as bad as the first time. Things have been going well lately, now that I have Pyridium (i used to take a diff pain med)

_breanna_

[kadi]

Although I've been tested for PFD & don't have it, I've noticed a definite difference in my IC in the weeks I take more gentle yoga classes. I've been taking 3 yoga classes a week, one just beginning level Hatha & 2 that include a half hour of guided meditation & relaxation. I feel so much better after the classes it's amazing. A couple of times, I think it even stopped a flare right as it got started.

Also, going to bed early with an herbal icepack over the lower abdomen for 20 min. can prevent a baby flare from going fullblown.

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

I definitely feel when my pelvic floor muscles are tightening. I put my feet up and do the kegel exercises that my therapist taught me. It really looses things up. I also use my heating pad.

I just got an Elliptical machine. I have a friend with severe IC and she uses an Elliptical machine for exercise because it doesn't jar the bladder. I am using mine, and I love it. It actually stretched the abdomen and feels good. I love that machine. (when I'm in a bad flare, I stay off of it)

[Mel53H]

Just curious..Do any of you use a special heating pad or does any old heating pad do?

Mel53H

[jen_dahling]

WOW! It just occured to me that the twitching in my lower belly could be spasms. I have had this happen on a number of occasions and chalked it up to gas bubbles. It was more irritating and lasted longer and now it makes sense. If I didn't know better I thought that it was similar to little baby kicks when you first feel them, kinda like the butterfly in the tummy sensation. But you actually have to have sex for that to be the answer! :yikes: I am still getting used to being hyper sensative to the whats and whys my body is doing what it is doing. :lmao:
So yea, I am having tummy spasms and it is so irritating that my bladder is flaming and my tummy aches like cramps. Time to get out the heating pad.
Mel - nothing special, just a regular one.

[VickiB]

The great majority of my flares are diet related. I know better, but keep thinking maybe this time it won't hurt!?! (What's the definition of insanity?)

I have learned that the minute I get the feeling that a flare is coming on, if I drink water,..a lot of water, I can put out some of the fire. A warm bath with a crossword puzzle & bottle of drinking water also seems to help.

Vicki

[Katrina]

it is why I like having different pain meds and the option to take a lot or a little....I don't want to over treat....but I do want to keep that major flare from ruiling my life.

[tillysav]

Absolutely...treating my flare early helps keep major flare and severe pain at bay. Also, less meds are needed when caught at first sign of symtems.

[Dixiefireball]

i have chornic ic with alot of hunner uclers the uclers cause me more pain then anything which in the last four mths they have been removed twise but i find that as soon as i feel the pain hit i have to take my pain medicine and go straight for my heating pad or ice pack. if one don't work i will try the other.
i find that taking a klonopin (nerve pill) also helps relax my muscles in my bladder and stop the pain also.
so i agree catching it early is the trick.
sending you all well wishes and prayers
Rhonda

[Lyn40]

I have found that my flares don't last as long as when I was first diagnosed. I guess I am getting better at treating them. BUT, I can't say as I am very good at stopping them from coming. I have also noticed that I end up flaring at the tail end of every vacation or busy event I participate in. This weekend I had company, did pretty good, but by the time they left I ended up in pain and in tears for 3 days. My diet shouldn't have put me in that much pain. I just really seem to need my rest and when I am home living a normal routine, I manage this condition better.