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Sorry I started a new thread. I couldn't put a comment on the previous thread because of a CAPTCHA question or something?
Before I posted my message, I hesitated. It's kind of personal, right? And these things often make people really uncomfortable. I was afraid of upsetting anyone in the group who may have painful memories of their own experience, but you guys have all been very supportive. I want to thank all of you so much for each of your heart-felt thoughtful responses.
lolo: I followed some of your advice and really concentrated on not being angry. You're right -- I should feel sorry for someone with so little ability to see past his own nose!
flygirlsam: I'm glad I'm not the only one in treatment who is "100% healthy!" Hah! I'm sorry you also had such a rotten experience. It was a great idea to write him a letter. I'm doing that... I'll see if it helps.
Melsvensen: I'm sorry for your previous bad experience as well. From what I've seen of your posts, you've faced way too much in life already. I hate that "you're too young to have _____" excuse. I keep getting that from the docs I've been seeing, and I'm sorry, but obviously I'm not too young for it. A previous history of abuse or depression doesn't make a person less in tune with themselves, it often makes them MORE aware and capable of commenting on what their issues are, in my opinion.
researchnerd: The scope causes the issue?! Yikes.... hopefully getting it done just once won't do too much damage. I should find that lit review and give it to the doc! (I'm the hospital librarian -- so technically I can do that!) very
happymom: I'm going to look into that ICA newsletter and see what literature that's based on... then I'm going to pass it on to the doc!
Jeanette: What is it with some docs anyway? They think they're Gods gift to the universe...
Lisa: You have some great points. My faith in Western medicine is REALLY waining these days... Why is it that the answer is always to pump you full of chemicals? The side effects of half the drugs they put you on are worse than what the drugs are supposed to "fix"! I have had some help dealing with my past, but maybe its time to revisit that. I was surprised at myself when I was so upset by it being brought up (after I had left the doc office) so maybe I need to revisit it... Although I'm certain there is something physically wrong with me, but it can't hurt to cope with the emotional side too.
Thanks again everyone. I'm still struggling with some pain, but its better than it was. And I'm not as angry as I was either. Though I'm in no hurry to have any more run ins with that physician!
IC info
Here is some info on IC & Abuse from an article on the ICA site.
1."I don't think most physicians without psychiatric training are [properly prepared]," Dr. Raphael said. Not only might there be no clinical utility in asking, but there may be clinical harm by stigmatizing the patient, blaming the patient, and distracting the clinician from trying to find a useful treatment strategy, she explained.
2. At the presentation of the VA study last May, session leader Raymond Rackley, MD, professor of surgery at Cleveland Clinic's Center for Pelvic Health and Reconstructive Surgery, echoed that concern, wondering if, in this trend to link sexual abuse with LUTS, "clinicians might start blaming non-related issues that bear no relation to the etiology of the end-organ condition of IC."
3. Although some theorize that trauma such as abuse may lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which may in turn lead to autonomic activation and increased pain perception in IC patients, the evidence so far is weak.
4. Dr. Rackley expressed more concern that the focus on abuse and trauma in IC has taken urologists' eye off the ball.
5. "Misrepresenting sexual abuse as the cause for IC is ridiculously and dangerously placing the blame on non-pathological issues that are a distraction to seeking the real cure of this urothelial condition," he warned. "We need to be spending time and money on developing a biomarker for this condition so that we can get moving on the real treatment needs of people with IC versus other pelvic pain conditions."