Does this sound reasonable??

[elitynski]

You all are so helpful and have a lot of insight - I wanted to ask you for your opinions.

My symptom of frequency came on acutely on July 1st. After that time I did the antibiotics route, saw an IC specialist, had a cystoscopoy and was finally diagnosed in Mid-August by a Dr. from Chicago NORTHWESTERN hospital with Pelvic Floor dysfunction.

Meanwhile my frequency symptoms have improved somewhat and while I was on vacation over the labor day holiday I started to notice a few days where my symptoms were substantially better (although not perfect). I started to not even be aware of my bladder during parts of the day.

I was still aware of my bladder from time to time but there were many more moments of normal - not having the feeling of being aware of my bladder nor feeling like I had to go to the bathroom.

Currently, I don't run to the bathroom that often - < 8- 10 times a day. Today I woke up and felt good and didn't have to urinate until about 11:15 a.m. and then now about 1:30 pm. after drinking a small bottle of water for lunch I can kind of feel my bladder filling and that I will have to go to the bathroom at some point.

Since I got back from vacation I started physical therapy which is going ok - although , the PT didn't really see a lot of PFD issues. There were a few inner rectal muscles that had issues. Also, the last few days my symptoms seem to have been more exacerbated. BUt I also have been eating more junk food, drinking more caffeine and soda; whereas before I was drinking more water, eating healthier, walking and taking UROXYTROL. I ran out of the UROXYTROL on vacation and hadn't refilled the prescription.

Before this started I was substantially overweight, about 385 lbs - and since then I have lost about 40 - 50 lbs. One of my thoughts is that this condition may be more weight-related than anything since I started to feel somewhat better since I lost some of the weight - although I still have a long ways to go.

None of the Drs (specifically 2 Urologists) have felt that I have IC since I don't have the kind of pain that they feel accompanies the condition. I've experimented with a lot of different foods and haven't really made any connection to anything that would be irritating - except possibly caffeine and some soda. Although I drank some Sprite last night and had no issues.

Is it possible that this could be related to the weight pressing on the bladder and that I would continue to see symptom improvement over time as I lose the weight and become more healthy.

I also have sleep apnea and the nights that I haven't used my breathing machine I have some morning frequency while still sleeping on & off - but I believe that this is related to the sleep apnea where my body is releaing a hormone which makes me feel like I need to urinate. When I do use the breathing machine, I can sleep several hours through the night without having to urinate.

I still feel like I don't have 100% of the answers and I keep wanting to figure out how to make this better.

Let me know if you think it is possible this could be more weight related than anything else.

Thanks for the feedback

[carld]

Here is my opinion for what it's worth.....

Losing weight period is going to help your over all physical health and mental health. Enough said there....

I would avoid caffeine, period.....and all food irritants, spicy, alcohol etc...

It has been noted by many of us that when we are on vacation, our symptoms improve. Which tells many of us, this is a stress disorder which is greatly affected by diet.

Some here have also had structural issues and stress which have been corrected by surgery and along with that CP/CPPS to go with it. So my point is there are many reasons that affect our condition. So I would continue to lose weight and keep with your PT and the other many options say low dosage Elavil 10mg to help with frequency and calming the nerves.

[Sleeper Service]

I think you're on the right track, mate.

Stay off the coffee and fizzy drinks for a while and continue to lose that weight at a reasonable rate as it seems to be working for you.

[mach5]

I think what they do at the stanford clinic is best, but...

You need some daily down time. Any kind you can get. Get a self hypnosis tape, or a tape of waves or something like that. I know 30 mins twice a day doesnt sound like it will make a huge difference in your life. But try it. Seriously give it a shot and stick with it for 2 weeks and see.

PT alone is just not enough. It helps, and it works. But alone.... just not enough.

I use the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol tapes, but I am sure there are other members here who could reccomend some other tapes that you could buy somewhere.

PS, congrats on the 40 to 50 pounds. Be proud of yourself!