Dear Walt,
Hopefully, you can answer a few questions for me.
I have been going to a biofeedback therapist for 3 weeks now. She has given me a relaxation tape to practice at home 2x/day. Then, when I go to her office, she puts on the tape and does the biofeedback with me. At first, she told me I was making great progress getting my muscles to relax, but now we are having trouble getting my body temperature to rise while doing this. Does my body temperature need to rise for this to be "effective" for me? I'm really unsure of how to know whether or not what I am doing is effective enough to be helping me.
Also, when I practice at home, I find myself trying to concentrate on the muscle controlling my bladder...when I do this, I become frustrated. Should I instead be concentrating on the muscles in my body as a whole rather than this muscle?
Last question...I consume about 2 sodas each day. I really enjoy the caffeine, and feel it makes me more motivated at work! Even though this really isn't that much, I'm concerned that this will effect what I am trying to do. What do you think?
I really appreciate your help and advice. I'm encouraged by what I am reading on your website. Thanks again.
Follow Ups:
Re: I.C.
Posted by NV on October 16, 1998 at 12:27:00:
In Reply to: I.C. posted by Anne on October 15, 1998 at 20:12:05:
I also have IC and have been going to biofeedback for a little over a month. Yes, you're temp has to go up to show that it's working because that means that you're smooth muscle is relaxing and blood flow increasing. Believe me, I know how difficult it can be. Usually about half the time it wouldn't work for me, then I just switched over to a breathing technique, slow breathing from the stomach area instead of the chest. It's really amazing how well it works. Without even thinking about it, within a few minutes my temp is rising and after about 20 minutes its usually gone from around 70 to 90. I'm sure you're biofeedback therapist is familiar with this technique and I think its worth a try. Also, if you haven't already, read my post from a couple days ago. I really think that the bacteria and this are connected and approaching it from both angles will get the best results. Good luck.
Follow Ups:
Re: I.C.
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 16, 1998 at 16:14:17:
In Reply to: I.C. posted by Anne on October 15, 1998 at 20:12:05:
Dear Anne,
I think I answered most of your questions in a response to another note you sent earlier today.
Anyhow, about the caffeine. Unless you are trying to do a perfect elimination of refined carbohydrates, I don't think this amount of caffeine will hurt you.
Let me know if I didn't answer all of your questions.
Walt
Re: I.C. (Mechanisms)
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 17, 1998 at 07:17:40:
In Reply to: Re: I.C. posted by NV on October 16, 1998 at 12:27:00:
Thanks, NV.
Your note, once again, points up the absolute necessity of any individual finding what works for THEM. The place for biofeedback is to definitely determine what that thing is. I do not believe it is productive to try ANY approach for more than 2-3 weeks without substantiating its effectiveness with biofeedback--so as to not waste time doing something that is not working for that person. If it is right for you, it is very likely to "work" the first time it is done--but not certainly.
For the above statement to be fully true, the person has to practice whatever they are trying for the full time (2-3 weeks), twice a day, doing what is suggested as carefully as one reasonably can.
There is no doubt that bacteria have something to do with chronic IC. I emphasize the muscle tension since IT came before the bacteria and not the other way around. Once the full blown syndrome is present, BOTH should be treated. If one tries to deal with the bacteria first, it will just recurr because the reason for the bacteria's presence is still there.
There is a true adage in medical physiology. It states that ANY cavity within the body MUST drain. If it does not do so, appropriately, it will SURELY become infected. If normal drainage is restored, it CANNOT remain infected.
This is true of the bladder. People with levator ani tension cannot force that last little bit of urine from the bladder since the bladder muscle loses its leverage when the bladder is almost empty. That last little "residual" is a breeding ground for bacteria and is why nearly all IC patients also have a bacterial component.
Hope everyone with IC is reading this.
Walt