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Hello, I'm 26 year old male who has been clincially diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis. I have been practicing SR for 3 1/2 months for my IC, so I thought I would give an update on my progress and wondered if anyone else has any new updates.
Basically my symptoms came on about last summer, which were frequency, and pain in the prostate area. I was told I have chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, and ended up having a cystoscopy and bladder hydrodistention in December(a horrible procedure for a guy), where I was diagnosed with IC.
For my IC, I take Algonot Plus ( www.algonot.com ) which has been helpful and side effect free, and also 50mg of hydroxyzine(antihistamine -- also side effect free) at night. Both of those work fine for me, and target the mast cell aspect of IC. http://www.ic-network.com/guestlectures/theotranscript.html
And while I am pretty sure both of those have helped, the Skilled Relaxation I have learned from this site has helped TREMENDOUSLY, far more than either of the medicines.
For the past 3 1/2 months, I have been doing deep breathing exercises(from The Skilled and Relaxation Workbook), while listening to Jeffrey Thompson's Theta Meditation CD's. I enjoy the cd's because there are basically 4 different tracks a person can listen to, I think the key with those types of CD's is just finding one you enjoy. It doesn't matter how you get into the alpha/theta state, as long as you do.
Anyhow, one of the things I am most able to notice now, is my overall symptoms are greatly decreased. I am generally pain free(at least 90% less pain than I had) now in my pelvic region. I still have some frequency, but I think that is reduced as well.
When I do get a flare, it is almost always brought about by stress. A perfect example of something that brought upon a flare recently was when I couldn't find my car keys before work one morning and was late. That caused a flare.
The difference, is that I am able to recognize when I tense up the muscles of that region, and relax them. Even better, if I am able to run home for lunch and do a SR section, the flare usually abates.
Thus, I think its almost all related to muscle tension in that part of the body for me.
So, 3 1/2 months into this, I am not "cured" of IC, but I am getting much better, have much more control over IC, and am basically living life freely again. I am no longer a prisoner of my own body!!
I am only 3 1/2 months into this also, Dr. Stoll says it takes 6-12 months to truly be effective for IC, so the future looks bright. If you are suffering with IC, I highly suggest one of the many forms of skilled relaxation.
Thank you so much for your site Dr. Stoll!!
JD
In Reply to: Any IC Patient Testimonials/Updates?? (mine inside) posted by JD on May 08, 2003 at 15:00:36:
JD, Thank you many times over for your testimonial. I started to have horrible bladder problems this summer as well. I did not get formally diagnosed with IC because as you said the cystoscopy is a horrible procedure, for a woman too. I feel like a prisoner of this problem, feel like life is not worth living etc. I have completely altered my life around this pain, eat only whole foods, anti-candida diet, etc.
Then I stumbled on this web page one night and it really seemed to make sense to me because I do feel like my muscles are spasming or simply not releasing the way they are supposed to. I have had trouble commiting to SR, but have decided it is what I need to do. Your posts and posts like them are so important for people like me who have tried so many things and sometimes say, am I just hanging onto silly hope that this SR will work. Please continue to update your testimonial and again kudos for taking the time to help other people with this terrible disorder/disease whatever you want to call it. I hope you continue to get well and stay well. Sounds like you are on the right path
Grateful
In Reply to: Any IC Patient Testimonials/Updates?? (mine inside) posted by JD on May 08, 2003 at 15:00:36:
Thanks, JD.
Perhaps your testimonial will help others with this condition understand that their docs are not telling them the whole story.
Maybe you have already stimiulated "Grateful" to actually get rid of hers.
Gosh! Soon you will not need your docs for this anymore. What will the poor things do then for $?
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Any IC Patient Testimonials/Updates?? (mine inside) posted by Grateful on May 09, 2003 at 07:38:55:
Hi Grateful,
As someone who has had IC very much like yours and JDs, I can say that muscle relaxation is KEY to resolving this condition and feeling normal again. The SR will work if done regularly and if the relaxation response is met while doing it.
To get you started faster down this path, you might also consider finding a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor conditions like IC. I had one who helped me immensely in determining which muscles were tense, and it turned out that my problem centered in the pelvic floor, but radiated out to muscles down into my legs and up into my solar plexus. If that is also the case for you, a massage therapist can also help loosen up some of these muscles.
Best wishes to you and JD both,
Daisy
In Reply to: Re: Any IC Patient Testimonials/Updates?? (mine inside) posted by Daisy on May 10, 2003 at 07:51:05:
Thanks, Daisy.
Namaste`
Walt
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