Does IBS worsen IC?

**asmashly** · 05-02-2005, 08:33 AM

Does anyone know if IBS can worsen your IC? I feel like when either acts up the other one starts to bother me also.

Also I am about to start my period, it seems my problems get worse than also. Does anyone else feel this way? What do you do/suggust?

Thanks so much

**green_the_fish** · 05-02-2005, 08:49 AM

A lot of people that I've talked to think that when their IBS flares up, it also flares up their IC. I've also heard from many women that their hormone levels can increase their symptoms, particularly at the onset of their cyles.

If your IBS is affecting your IC, you should go to a special GI doctor to get that treated.
Maybe you could also talk to your GP about going on birth control to decrease the amount of periods you have in a year... that might steady out your hormones.

Good luck

**poetgirl** · 05-02-2005, 09:50 AM

I have IC, IBS and Vulvar Vestibulitis. IBS will definitely cause IC symptoms to flare up, as will hormone changes. I've managed to get IC and VV under control, but I've had IBS since I was a kid, and nothing seems to do much for me one way or another.

**asmashly** · 05-02-2005, 10:12 AM

What have you done to get IC an VV under control? I too have all these horrible diseases. I just found out I have IBSw/consp. about 2 weeks ago when I had the worst flare of my life involving my IC. I just sat on the bathroom floor and cried for 12 hours. Next day I was getting tested at the hospital, and turns out my IC was in full force and my colon was full.

**poetgirl** · 05-02-2005, 10:41 AM

You can probably search for other posts where I have talked about my treatments for VV and IC. Aside from a few minor issues (like occassional urethral burning) my IC and VV have been in "remission" for over a year now.

Currently, I take 200 mg of Elmiron, 25 mg of Elavil, Detrol LA and I'm on a continuous cycle of birth control pills. It was Elavil and the BCP that really did the most to help clear up the vulvar inflammation and pain. Oh, I also take Calcium Citrate pills each day. It helps with VV and also urethral burning.

I have IBS w/diarrhea, but sometimes I get constipated and I can understand the pain and discomfort you have experienced. If my IBS is acting up, I will experience more urgency/frequency than usual because those bowel spasms tend to trigger the bladder muscles too. Very frustrating.

**Dusty** · 05-06-2005, 03:59 AM

I too have those illnesses. My IBS was diagnosed years ago. There are many foods I was told to stay away from as they made matters worse. And there are foods that make mine worse. I have discovered them over the years as to when I eat them I have more pain and problems. I take Elavil for mine and have for about 20yrs now. I too have more probs with my IC when it acts up and more probs with my IBS when the IC acts up. I have to however be very careful with my IBS. It can get very painful and out of control and send me to bed alone.
I also have had probs every time I give myself my estrogen shot..I cannot take the pills anymore as my body became ammune to them years ago. I had a hysterectomy very young. I can't use the patch as I am allergic to latex. So my doctor orders the vials of estrogen and the syringes and I self inject every 21 days..right after I always have a flare. I too have heard numerous women say they have more IC symptoms with their hormones and at the onset of their periods. I have even read where they have researched these two things and have found they do also.
Have a good day,
Dusty

**asmashly** · 05-06-2005, 04:11 AM

Dusty, did you find some foods upset your IBS also? Like what?

I took Elavil last night for the first time. Today I am in flare, but I am going to start my period in 3 days, so I don't know what is causing it.

**Dusty** · 05-06-2005, 04:34 AM

I have never had a problem with my Elavil and it is also used for my Fibroy...and I know many docs use it for IC...so I don't know what would be causing that problem for you.
There are many foods that will cause me probs and most are all dairy. I therefore switched to soy products and used soy for years on end..had horrible bladder pain, but never new about the diet for IC..and so dropped the soy..loved the soy as it is a natural hormone for females also...anyway..dairy is very hard on IBS. Will also have trouble it I overly eat ruffage...I trie to eat a salad or veggies everyday as I take morphine and other meds for pain..and that can create a problem..all anti-inflammatories create probs for many of us with IBS..I cannot take any of the pharmecutical ones at all...I can get by with Motrin for awhile or Tylenol Arthritis as I have arthritis setting into my spine damage and also my knees. Anti-inflammatories I was told by the doctors about the same time they diagnosed my IBS 20 years ago..not to take them..then I had knee surgery and we tried and no I can't. It was hard to find a happy balance for the IBS and foods..then the IC diet...screaming!!!!
Then I have high blood pressure and heart probs and take blood pressure meds..so for salt that was easy as I just avoid it as much as possible and that helps alot with my Hunner Ulcers..I am so use to avoiding salt that I don't miss it and if someone salts things I feel like I just ate pure salt and will drink forever..also water is very important to IBS..and I carry water with me at all times for my bladder..to keep my urine diluted due to those ulcers and for my IBS..everywhere I go I have water. I seizure and those can come on suddenly so I carry seizure meds at all times..so keep water just in case on that one..mainly I carry water with me at all times for the IBS and IC..I have to keep my urine flowing and need to make sure I pee or I will flare bad...I don't care how many times a day I pee..by noon I have peeeeed over 50 times..but I keep water going in my system at all times due to I cath..and I also want my bladder diluted so my ulcers don't hurt so bad..to peee is ok with me as it lowers my pain and probs.
Does this help you at all? I have talked to numerous doctors over the years about IBS..and they all have told me the same thing..dairy is a prob and let me think as I know there are some other foods I will notice right off and can't think of them right now. It is a real balance act with food with these two diseases requiring a diet for each. But some of the foods that irritate IC also irritate IBS..so that is a good thing.
Chocolate, cheeses and things like that cause constipation if your prone to that and I am thinking they are a no no on the IC list..well chocolate is. Except I have heard some women say they eat white chocolate. Cheeses are hard on IBS. I have to be very careful with that..I will put some in a salad and thats as far as I will go as the trouble it causes me is not worth it..also nuts are a real killer on mine..I also have heard that from others.
It is possible your period is causing your flare as many women say that..and like I said my estrogen shot does for me. So don't give up on your Elavil yet as it does help with the IBS.
Dusty