Dear Dr. Stoll:
Have had IC for 13 years. Just came back from yet another cystoscopy. There are a few things I don't understand. Maybe you could answer them. For one, I have not read anyone talking about having incontinence along with IC. I am fourty-four and 3 years ago I began with this problem as well in additon to the IC. I have a cystocyle, but not a bad one. Will using your relaxation technique cause the incontinence to become worse>? Also, I was in remission for about three years with hardly any symptoms at all. I wasn't using relaxation techniques then, so I don't understand if levator ani tension is the cause, how can one go in and out of remission? I am very interested and hopeful about what I have read on your website today and am going to order your book. I am especially interested as I am so drug sensitive and even using oral estrogen of any kind flares my conditon up. I also was diagnosed years ago with Chronic Fatigue and now and wondering about it feeling more like Fibromyalgia. I have chronic lower back pain and sciatica, along with hip pain, vaginal pain, intestinal and stomach problems. I had a hysterectomy when I was 30 years old. They found a mass of vericose vains in my pelvis and they were wrapped around my bladder as well, and had to be tied off. From all I have told you you can see why what you say does interest me. Thank-you
Follow Ups:
Re: IC
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 31, 1998 at 12:34:01:
In Reply to: IC posted by DeDe on October 30, 1998 at 17:46:44:
Dear DeDe,
If you have done any reading about any chronic condition,you will note that a common denominator is that, in the beginning, the problem comes & goes. Finally it comes more than goes and at last is there all the time. IC is one of these chronic conditions. The first symptoms ar a warning. The later ones are just louder warnings.
It is interesting that you had the varicose veins in the pelvis. They are ALWAYS caused by the levator ani spasm.
ALL of your symptoms & diagnoses are caused by the same thing: chronic fight or flight bracing of ALL the muscles in your body. Your levator ani bracing is just one local place that has bothered YOU most.
Without examining you, there is no way I can say how much your cystocoel is causing the incontinence. I do know that the relaxation will not make THAT worse.
Your best bet is to deal with what is causing the rest of your symptoms & see how much incontinence you have left. My guess is that it will go away at the same time leaving all of us wondering why. I am sure you won't mind having it be gone without understanding why.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Re: IC
Posted by DeDe on November 02, 1998 at 10:29:58:
In Reply to: Re: IC posted by Walt Stoll on October 31, 1998 at 12:34:01:
Dear Walt:
Thank-you for your response. I was so surprised that you responed so quickly. I really appreciate it. I am excited and hopeful about the things you have said. I ordered your book last Friday and am waiting for it to arrive so that I can learn how to do this tecnique you talk about. I would love to hear about anyone who has done this and had success with it.
DeDe
Follow Ups:
Re: IC
Posted by Walt Stoll on November 03, 1998 at 10:17:22:
In Reply to: Re: IC posted by DeDe on November 02, 1998 at 10:29:58:
Dear DeDe,
One way to get those kind of testimonials is to start a note titled something like "IC Testimonials (Relaxation?)".
That would make it easier for people like you to find them. There have been a half dozen on this BB just within the past month. However, they are listed under IC (or even under another topic) so you have to skim to find them. I would like to get everyone to list stuff like this under what it really IS about. Just think how much easier it would have been for YOU to find them even now.
Walt