Interstitial Cystitis Advice

Hi Sunshine,

Welcome to our new ICadvice forums. As the result of being hacked (also called "attacked"!) last month (at random) by (unknown) hackers, we've had to rebuild the site entirely (the old one being pretty much a write-off, after the malicious hackers got through with it). I'm mentioning this so that you don't feel like you've been ignored; it's just that it will take a while to get everyone back here from the "old" site (and to repost as much IC content from the old pages). The previous forum had over 1,000 messages which were lost :-(

I'm going to touch on Elmiron in my responses to some of your other posts, dear. Here, since you brought it up, I'll talk about IC and bloating. I'm so sorry to hear that you're currently in such a state of pain and discomfort, but for what it's worth I can totally relate to you. As a result of IC and some of my other health issues, coupled with weight gain from certain medications, I’ve also shot up several sizes since this all began for me. This can certainly be extremely disheartening for anyone, but even more so for those of us who are gaining this weight as the direct, or indirect, result of developing IC or another serious health problem.

With both my IBS and IC I've long found bloating to be a big issue (no pun intended). I've tackled some of the challenges that IC bloating can present, as well as ways to help combat this problem, in the article, "Bloated stomach, tender tummy? It could be IC belly". You may also find some handy tips about comfortable clothes to wear while your bloated (and certainly to help relieve pressure on your bladder/abdomen all the time) in this article, What to wear, what to wear?”

But certainly in addition to the information in the article on bloating, I'd say that it's really important to try and determine if your bloating is coming from you IC, a gastrointestinal problems (IBS, Diverticulosis, etc), endometriosis (rarer, but I’ve heard firsthand accounts of women with ending feeling very bloated), ovarian cysts, PMS/menstrual cycle related issues, lactose intolerance, food allergies, Celiac’s Disease, infections (of the colon, etc), or another cause (some people, for example, are prone to gas/bloating when they eat certain vegetables like cabbage and beans; an over the counter product called "Beano" can help with this issue).

In dealing with the bloating that can arise from having IBS, I’ve found that peppermint tea (pure mint leaves, nothing with caffeine in it ever!) and peppermint oil capsules (alcohol-free) have helped incredibly well. Ginger tea and capsules, as well as fennel, oregano, and eating plenty of soluble fiber foods have also all provided me with relief when intense GI cramping (often feels like you’re being stabbed in the side, too) and bloating have occurred. (Interestingly, I’ve often noted that peppermint also seems to have a very soothing effect on my bladder when it’s flaring up.)

For more on IBS and bloating, I highly recommend this article by one of the top IBS patient activists and writers, Heather Van Vorous: Bloating.

This link will take you to an NIH page which lists some conditions that can bring on bloating: Abdominal Bloating

Here is a page that recommends some natural steps that you can take to help combat bloating in general, while the tips aren’t geared towards ICers, they can provide help in some cases, if your bloatedness has other causes: Gas, Bloating and Flatulence

Prolonged or chronic (in other words, persistent) bloating is not a normal thing to experience. It is a clear signal that something is awry within your body. ICers have long noted that they experience (often inexplicable) bloating; some notice a correlation between bloating and eating foods that cause their bladders to flare, or in relation to their monthly cycles. I’ve experienced bloating from both of these things, and have also noticed that after making love, I almost always become bloated (this started when I developed IBS, which for me pre-dated my IC). If your doctor is not able to readily find a cause of, or means by which to help, your bloating, it would be a good idea to ask them (well, in reality they should suggest it themselves, but in case he/she doesn’t) if you can see both or urologist and gastroenterologist, or of you’re already seeing these people, speak to them about your severe bloating (and the impact that it is having on your life).

I know that life with IC can seem incredibly daunting at times (there are certainly days when it feels like for every one step forward you take two steps back), but please know that there is always, always hope. You are never alone in your struggle with IC, and through our collective journeys with this condition we can help one another get through life one new day at a time.

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Jessica Cangiano: ICadvice.com creator and administrator

I have IC, but IC doesn't have me!