Statistics?

[tierney]

Has there been any research or are there any statistics on how many ICers also suffer from another medical condition? Just wondering...Jill, maybe you would know. Please, please, please let me know if you have any insight. Thank you! I hope everyone is having pain free days!

[Julie B]

Tierney, what conditions are you talking about? I think most of us have multiple conditions/diseases. I have a variety of allergies, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, IC, sacroiliitis, GERD (secondary to a hiatal hernia, and now an ascending aortic aneurysm. My body is just a broken vessel.

[Stella1609]

Maybe if you set up a poll it would give you some of the answers you are looking for? I have mild Raynaud's syndrome, but no other chronic conditions.

[stef000]

I think a lot of us have acid reflux...me included...
I have scoliosis (from birth so couldn't fix it) and also broke my spine (3 vertebrae) so yep chronic back pain....
Have chronic pelvic pain from various things such as IC and past mild endo surgeries suspect adhesions but more surgeries would make it worse in the long run so just waiting and seeing with that....
Vulvadynia with urethral syndrome....
Irritable bowel alternating with constipation, diarrhea....
My stomach can be slow so with the acid reflux also have food reflux....
Allergies and apparently migraines....
Oh right and some weird nerve issues----- tingling in hands and feet (but apparently no nerve damage in them)
I think a post viral fatigue thing going on since i have been fighting something for a year and have had swollen lymph nodes the whole time.....
But yeah thats about it from me.....
But i definitely think that there is something with Ic that makes you more susceptible or something to other things.....even though i was diagnosed with most of the stuff before but maybe they came first and Ic was inevitable or maybe the acid relfux just made things acidy in my bladder who knows.....
But it does seem a lot of people have other things going on whether it be pelvic floor issues or other issues like acid reflux and allergies or autoimmune issues like colitis or sjorgens syndrome (hope i spelled that right)
Hope you get more people answering this, quite interesting indeed
Well hope people are all having a good day and if not hope it gets better
Take great care everyone

[statesboro]

I deal with IC, but I definitely have got other conditions as well. I was diagnosed, by MRI, with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis on December 21 of 2010. Also, I did have major neck surgery, neck fusion, in March of that year. Also, I was diagnosed, by endoscopy, with hiatal hernia and gastritis back in February. OK. I get tired more often.(and told possibly chronic fatigue several years ago) OK. I get to have rectal prolapse surgery in June as well. Yep! http://www.painful-bladder.org/pbs-i...roduction.html

[stef000]

My eczema and sensitive skin...
I am allergic to latex and also apparently even hypoallergenic creams and soaps...
I can only use ivory soap and a very mild face soap and only the mildest lotion too....and have so dry skin i HAVE to use it right after the shower or elses it just gets so dry and itchy....
I had the most horrible reaction to clinique stuff (which was supposed to be for sensitive skin) had hives all over my face and had to use cortisone cream for 2 weeks to get it under control.....and that was after one use....
It was horrible....looked like i was a teen again....
Sorry i forgot....
Oh also have a memory issue
Hope everyone else responds since this is really interesting stuff.....maybe it is autoimmune since it seems to come with other things for sure.....
Well take care everybody

[eyeliner128]

I can't find anything on here, but maybe Google would be better. I would guess that at least 50% have other immune-related conditions.

I have interstitial cystitis, pelvic floor dysfunction, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, levator syndrome, migraines, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis.

[mary124]

I have besides IC, IBS-D, Scoliosis/degen. disk problems (chronic back issues)
I was born with a dislocated hip when the doctors "pulled me out" they didn't do as many C-sections 50 some mod years ago) I also had an aortic aneurysm repaired with I had my heart valve replaced 10 years ago. some allergies and migraines (if I catch them in time with my medication they seem to go away - its the ones that I wake up with that no matter what I take it takes forever.

[eringoodfriend]

I have along with IC, endometriosis and gastroparesis. I also had sphincter of oddi dysfunction in my pancreas, it is a birth defect they fixed it. I also had a problem with my gallbladder and got it removed and I have ibs. I also have another birth defect that's also considered a genetic condition called preauricular pits. It's just little holes that look like a piercing above my ear and below the temple. Barely noticeable, but I read that people who have these also have renal and bladder problems. I also just got diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction and vulvodynia

[simplicity]

I have PCOS(poly cystic ovarian syndrome) hashimotos, IBS, back and neck problems, migraines, nerve issues...they thought I might have MS, but I don't.. And an irregular heartbeat. Oh...in also allergic to many things.

Sure does seem some of this stuff is related. And unfortunately I'm pretty sure I'll be adding other things to that list.

[ChrisNes]

Hey, I found this article;
Of the more than 700,000 Americans who have interstitial cystitis, as many as 90% are women. The average age at onset is 40. Several other disorders are associated with the condition, including allergies, inflammatory bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia (a condition causing muscle pain), and vulvitis (pain in the soft folds of tissue outside the vagina).

There’s no cure for interstitial cystitis, but many treatments offer some relief, either singly or in combination. Fortunately, increasing awareness is helping to speed diagnosis of this frustrating condition and encourage research into how it develops. Surgery is rarely needed.

[tierney]

Hello everyone -
Sorry it has taken me forever to reply, and sorry I was not very specific. I know we all seem to have other conditions, but does anyone know of any studies done by doctors and researchers? statesboro, the website you shared was very helpful, I have not finished reading it yet, but maybe I will find something there. I am surprised I cannot find any researches stating how many IC patients suffer from other conditions rather than what conditions; it seems like 98% of us do...

Also, maybe I am wrong, but it seems like a lot of IC patients are also scoli patients! What is up with that?

Another study I was looking for was something mentioning women (or maybe anyone) of Ashkenazi Jewish descent are more likely to have IC; has anyone else heard this? I remember reading it a while ago, but I have yet to find anything related online.

[ChrisNes]

Hi, I found this article and I thought you all might like to read it.

I do not think of Ic as a cause of my back pain because I do have a curve to my spine and one leg shorter than the other/scoliosis.

Interstitial Cystitis - Pain Management Patient Education Library
Feb 10, 2011 ... Back to main Patient Education page ... Interstitial cystitis is an ongoing bladder
problem that causes an .... Scoliosis - Curvature of the Spine ...

http://www.ihealthspot.com/tabid/104...1/Default.aspx - 108k


Interstitial Cystitis
Introduction | Anatomy | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention | Am I at Risk | Complications
Introduction
Interstitial cystitis is an ongoing bladder problem that causes an urgency to urinate, frequent urination, and pain. Episodes may come and go. Although there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, there are a variety of treatments that can help to relieve symptoms.
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Anatomy
Your urinary tract system consists of your kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Your kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located in the lower back area. The kidneys filter waste products and extra fluid from your blood, creating urine. Urine is composed of mainly water and metabolic waste products. From the kidneys, urine travels through two tubes (ureters), to the bladder.

Your bladder holds and collects the urine that arrives from the kidneys. When a certain level of urine has accumulated in the bladder, your bladder sends signals to your brain so you know that it is time to urinate. Urination is a voluntary action. When you are ready, the bladder walls (detrusor muscle) contract and the pelvic floor muscles relax. A valve-like muscle on the bladder (urinary sphincter) opens and allows urine to empty from the bladder.

Urine is carried from the bladder to the outside of your body through a tube called the urethra. The urethra and bladder have a protective lining (epithelium). The female urethra is short and ends above the vaginal opening. The male urethra is longer and ends at the tip of the penis. When you have finished urinating, the urinary sphincter closes.

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Causes
Although the exact cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, researchers suspect that several factors may contribute to it. It appears that some people with interstitial cystitis may have a problem with their bladder lining that allows urine to contact and irritate the bladder muscles. Researchers also speculate that it may be a hereditary condition. Other possible causes include an autoimmune disorder, allergic or inflammatory reaction, infection, or a problem with the nerves that conduct pain.
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Symptoms
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary from person to person. You may have one symptom or a combination of symptoms, including frequent urination, an urgent need to urinate, and pain. Your symptoms may change over time. When you do go to the bathroom, you may only void small amounts.

You may experience pain in your bladder area, lower back, lower abdomen, genital area, and pelvic region. Your pain may be ongoing or come and go. The pain may range from mild to severe and feel like pressure or burning. Women may have pain during sexual intercourse. Men may experience pain during orgasm.

The symptoms of interstitial cystitis are similar to that of a urinary tract infection. However, interstitial cystitis is not an infection. In fact, people with interstitial cystitis may have repeated negative test results for a urinary tract infection before they are diagnosed. People with interstitial cystitis may certainly develop an urinary tract infection, and when they do, the symptoms tend to be more bothersome.
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Diagnosis
Your doctor will review your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and test a sample of your urine. Although there is not one specific test to diagnose interstitial cystitis at this time, there are several tests that are helpful. Your doctor will rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as an urinary tract infection, vaginal infection in women, or prostrate problems in men. In some cases, additional tests may be ordered.

Your doctor may use a cystoscope to view the inside of your lower urinary tract. A cystoscope is a thin tube with a viewing instrument. It is carefully inserted through the urethra. The bladder is expanded with air or water to open the bladder folds and provide a better view. A cystoscopy allows your doctor to check for problems inside of the bladder or urethra. Although most people with the condition do not experience it, bleeding or sores on the bladder wall can be indicative of interstitial cystitis.

A potassium sensitivity test is a procedure in which water and potassium are placed in the bladder at different times via a catheter. You will be asked to rate your level of discomfort each time. People with interstitial cystitis may experience pain, discomfort, or urgency with the potassium solution. People with healthy bladders rate the solutions the same.
Urodynamic testing is another way to learn more about bladder function. Urodynamic testing evaluates the muscle strength in the bladder walls and sphincter. For this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the bladder to fill the bladder with water. A monitor records the pressure when the bladder is filling and when it empties. Pressure in a healthy bladder increases slightly while filling. People with interstitial cystitis may have a bladder that is unable to hold a lot of urine, and therefore feel discomfort while it is filling.
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Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no cure for interstitial cystitis. Treatment for interstitial cystitis is different for everyone. There are several different types of treatment, and you may find that a combination of treatments relieves your symptoms the best. It is common to try various treatments before finding the one or ones that produce the best results for you. Treatments may include medications, nerve stimulation, bladder distention, or surgery.

For some people, over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve symptoms. Prescription medications, such as antihistamines and certain antidepressants, can also help. There is one FDA approved prescription medication (pentosan polysulfate) that specifically targets the bladder. It appears that the medication works to repair the bladder wall and decrease inflammation.

Another FDA approved prescription medication (dimethyl sulfoxide, “DMSO”) is a treatment that is administered directly to the bladder through a catheter. Researchers are not sure how DMSO works, but it appears to reduce inflammation and pain. Steroid or heparin medication may be combined with DMSO treatments.

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) is another type of treatment option that is sometimes paired with physical therapy. With TENS, pads are placed strategically on the pelvic and lower back area. The stimulation device delivers gentle electrical impulses via wires. TENS can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, reduce urinary frequency, relieve pain, and increase blood flow.

In addition to being a diagnostic tool, cystoscopy is also used as a treatment method. Cystoscopy is used to stretch open (distend) the bladder with water or gas. Bladder distention can temporarily improve symptoms for some people and can be repeated.

Surgery for interstitial cystitis is reserved as an option for people with severe symptoms that do not respond to other treatments. Bladder augmentation, fulguration, and resection are types of surgery to help treat interstitial cystitis. Bladder augmentation is used to remove a damaged portion of the bladder or enlarge a bladder that is too small or has very high pressure. This is a major surgery that uses sections of bowel to surgically reconstruct the bladder. Following the procedure, you may need to use a catheter to empty your bladder.

Fulguration (electrodesiccation) is a minimally invasive procedure used to burn sores (ulcers) from the inside of the bladder. Resection, another minimally invasive procedure, uses incisions to remove sores from the inside of the bladder. For both fulguration and resection, the surgeon uses thin surgical instruments that are inserted through the urethra.
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Prevention
Although symptoms of interstitial cystitis may subside or go into remission, recurrences are common. You may identify foods or beverages that trigger a flare-up and avoid them. The following are common triggers: carbonated drinks, caffeine, chocolate, citrus fruits, food containing large amounts of vitamin C, alcohol, spices, pickled foods, and tomatoes.
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Am I at Risk
Interstitial cystitis occurs predominantly in women in their 30s and 40s, but it may also develop in men or children. It is suspected that the condition may be under-diagnosed in men.

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Complications
The symptoms of interstitial cystitis can interfere with your social life, work, and relationships. Make sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Your doctor is happy to offer suggestions or recommendations for assistance and support.
http://www.ihealthspot.com/tabid/104...1/Default.aspx