Living With Interstitial Cystitis

Living With Interstitial Cystitis: An Introduction

Living with interstitial cystitis is not always easy. As with all disorders associated with chronic pain, there is going to be a certain amount of anger, anxiety, and depression. For most people, doctors can help improve symptoms, but they can't always teach people how to cope with the illness. That's where other sources of support come into play. Physicians often encourage people living with interstitial cystitis to go for self-hypnosis, self-relaxation, and other coping techniques, or to seek therapy with psychologists or psychiatrists.

 

Special Concerns for People Living With Interstitial Cystitis

People living with interstitial cystitis often have special concerns related to their condition. Some of these special concerns include:

 

There is no evidence that interstitial cystitis increases the risk of bladder cancer.

 

Interstitial cystitis research scientists have little information about pregnancy and interstitial cystitis, but believe that the disorder does not affect fertility or the health of the fetus. Some women find that their symptoms of interstitial cystitis go into remission during pregnancy, while others experience a worsening of their symptoms.