Overactive Bladder or Interstitial Cystitis?

If you are like me, you cringe just remembering that "overactive bladder commercial" which showed the woman writhing in discomfort sitting in the courtroom with the jingle playing "Gotta Go, Gotta Go, Gotta Go!" From the first time I saw that OAB medication commercial, I was worried about women running to their doctor to get a pill; missing or at the very least delaying the true diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Let's face it, it is much easier to prescribe (and take) a pill rather than go through the diagnosis process for IC/PBS. I even wrote a blog post about this concept back in 2010: (See "Life Interrupted: "Gotta Go" Feeling Could Be Interstitial Cystitis.) But OAB medications DO NOT traditionally work for IC, and some people take these pills for weeks or months missing out on the true cause of their frequency, urgency, and bladder pain. And until you get the correct diagnosis you are likely to miss out on some of the best treatments we have ever had for IC/PBS.

Then, I came across this incredible personal story from Health.com. In her story, My Overactive Bladder Was Due to Interstitial Cystitis, Diane Lang, whose original diagnosis was OAB, eventually discovered she had IC. Diane’s story reminds us that if you have been diagnosed with overactive bladder and the medications have not helped, you may need further evaluation to determine if you have IC.

Eventually, Diane changed her diet and incorporated other lifestyle changes like meditation, pelvic floor exercises, and simple problem solving to help control her symptoms. The best part of Diane’s story, however, is how she learned to deal with the anxiety and uncertainty of her disease. I highly encourage you to read more of Diane's story at Health.com.

Listen to your body! If you have been diagnosed with overactive bladder, but your symptoms are not under control, ask your physician if you might have interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. You can also find some information from these websites:

Interstitial Cystitis Association

Interstitial Cystitis Network (also the Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forums)

And my website: Confident Choices for Interstitial Cystitis Patients

For more information on the IC Diet, see The IC Food List

If you are not happy with what your doctor is telling you, either persist with that doctor or move on until someone can give you answers. Copy information from Diane's article or from these websites and take it with you. It is your body. You deserve to have answers.

Julie Beyer, MA, RDN

Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate

www.ic-diet.com  

Helping Yourself Is the First Step to Getting Well

For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices^®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet.

For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices^®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder

For health care workers:  Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators

 **Please SHARE using the links below!**

Dancing Like a Star!

From the beginning, I have been a fan of Dancing with the Stars where celebrities team up with professional ballroom dancers and compete for a mirrored, disco ball trophy. Along with millions of other faithful viewers, my husband and I follow the intense competition week after week as actors, musicians, and even retired professional football players demonstrate that with hard work and determination a person can transform from an awkward beginner into a graceful, skilled dancer. From the beginning, Dancing with the Stars conveyed the message that anyone can dance.

The show also demonstrates that dancing can be good fitness as well as good fun. Celebrity participants get visibly leaner and stronger as each week passes. Many even boast about their remarkable weight loss. Inspired by the show, viewers from Boston to LA are getting up from their sofas and starting to move to the music. 

The fitness industry didn’t miss a beat in capitalizing on the popularity of the show. Dance classes of various forms are now big business at spas and gyms all over the country, and dance instruction and exercise videos are some of the hottest selling items on Amazon.com (including a branded Dancing with the Stars Latin Dance workout based on the show). 

“While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance.” Hans Bos

Of course, the best thing about dancing is that you don’t need professional instruction, a video, or any special equipment to do it! All you have to do is turn on some music that you like and get up and move! Trust your body and the music to tell you what to do. Bored with the treadmill? Get up and dance! Looking for an exercise that allows you to express your creativity? Get up and dance! Need an emotional or spiritual pick-up? Get up and dance! Afraid others will notice that you have two left feet? No problem; just lock yourself in your bedroom, pull the shades, and dance in the privacy of your home! You can even do your regular cardio and strength training workouts in time to the music.

Naturally, if it has been awhile since you have danced or engaged in strenuous activity, start slowly. Shimmy and shake your body for a few minutes at a time, maybe while you do the dishes or brush your teeth. Embrace your partner and slow dance to the radio or dance to silly songs like the Hokey Pokey. You can even get a great upper body workout by listening to classical or big band music and pretending to conduct the orchestra. The most important thing to remember is to keep moving and do something you enjoy. 

For more information on IC and exercise see: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet: A Confident Choices Book

Julie Beyer, MA, RDN

Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate

www.ic-diet.com  

Helping Yourself Is the First Step to Getting Well

For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices^®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet.

For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices^®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder

For health care workers:  Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators

 **Please SHARE using the links below!**

Interstitial Cystitis Patients: Take Action to Defeat Depression!

(Note, if you are currently in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-TALK. You and your life ARE worth it!)

All of us have our ups and downs, and people with a chronic illness like interstitial cystitis can have more than their share. However, if you have been feeling down more than upbeat lately, you may consider being evaluated for depression. If you learn that you have depression, you will want to follow through with your doctor’s treatment recommendations, which may include medication and therapy. Not surprisingly, you will play a major role in how fast you feel better. There are many things you can do to take care of yourself, whether you are receiving treatment or you have early signs of depression and want to prevent it.

• Foster friendships and a social support network. Positive friends and family members can be a source of joy and support in anyone’s life but especially if you are struggling with self-doubt.
• Join a self-help group. In person or online, groups such as these where people are facing similar problems can provide a safe place for sharing. Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise like walking or biking is particularly helpful for improving mood. Yoga and tai chi can help reduce stress.
• Reactivate your life. What enjoyable activity have you dropped because you didn’t feel up to it? Don’t wait. Pick it up again now!
• Write it down. Some people find that writing in a journal is a good outlet for negative emotions like anger, fear, and frustration.

Symptoms of Depression

Consult your physician if you have any of these symptoms lasting two or more weeks:

• Feelings of sadness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in most activities
• Appetite or weight changes
• Feelings of mental/physical slowness or agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or guilt
• Feeling tired and/or difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbances (sleeping less or more than usual)
• Thoughts of death or suicide (Note, if you are currently in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-TALK. You and your life ARE worth it!

Julie Beyer, MA, RDN

Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate

www.ic-diet.com  

Diet, Exercise, Stress Management, and More!

For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices^®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet.

For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices^®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder

For health care workers:  Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators

 **Please SHARE using the links below!**

Interstitial Cystitis Patients? Need a New Year's Resolution? Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet!

The first part of the year is always a great time to clean up our home, but what about your medicine cabinet? I know as an interstitial cystitis patient myself, I have occasionally ended up with quite a collection of "left overs" in my cupboard. However, do you know the best way to discard outdated over-the-counter medications, supplements, and prescription medications that are either expired or left-over?

Fish on Prozac? Although you may have heard you should flush outdated and unused medications down the toilet, that is actually the last thing you should do. Scientists are finding more and more medications in the public water supply, both in municipal sources and natural sources like wells. And, yes, they have found fish with antidepressants in their system, raising the question of whether humans could be consuming these chemicals without knowing it!

Instead of flushing, experts recommend disposing of unwanted medications via your household trash using a thick, plastic bag that you cannot see through. (The FDA suggests mixing the medications with some undesirable food product like coffee grounds.) Wrap the bag securely in packing or duct tape to prevent people from harvesting the drugs from your trash or landfill. Alternatively, ask your pharmacist to see if they participate in a program to collect and safely dispose of outdated or unwanted medications. Because of safety concerns, only a couple of states allow the recycling of medications (the use by another person other than the person for whom the prescription was written).

Finally, don't forget the basics of keeping medications safe at home. Keeping medications out of the reach of small children, and consider locking up potentially addictive drugs like opiates and ADHD medications. Medications should only be used by the person and condition they are prescribed for. Finally, never discontinue a medication without the advice of a physician. If you discontinue antibiotics before the course is through, you could create a "super-bug" resistance in your body; and many drugs, such as anti-depressants, have withdrawal side effects that may need to be monitored by a physician.

Julie Beyer, MA, RDN

Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate

www.ic-diet.com  

Helping Yourself Is the First Step to Getting Well

For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices^®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet.

For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices^®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder

For health care workers:  Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators

 **Please SHARE using the links below!**