Women's Specialty Center Begins Interstitial Cystitis Support Group

Jackson, Miss. -- March 5, 2003 -- People suffering from Interstitial Cystitis (IC) do not have to face this uncomfortable, painful bladder condition alone. Southeast Urogynecology at The Women's Specialty Center has established a support group called "Living Better" that meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Colonnades conference room. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the Colonnades Conference Room located on 501 Marshall Street in Jackson, Miss.

For 56 year-old Florence resident Betty Walker this is a dream come true.

"So many times I have wished I had someone to talk to who was experiencing the same problems that I was having, and I was constantly looking on the Internet to find any support group," Walker added.
After retiring from the state of Mississippi after 29 years of service, Walker began work as a computer consultant for Bluebonnet Life Insurance. In August 1999, Walker experienced lower abdomen pain, migraines and muscle spasms in her back and bladder. This attributed to the most uncomfortable situation of going to the bathroom consistently.

"Sometimes, I would go to the restroom 10 or 12 times a night and about every thirty minutes during the day. At the onset, I was extremely tired making it difficult to work everyday," Walker added.

About a year later, Walker was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC), a chronic condition of the bladder that causes urinary frequency and urinary urgency. It's a condition that affects over 300,000 women in the United States, according to Nurse Practitioner Jackie Williams of Southeast Urogynecology. 

"Some men are affected as well, however, women are affected in greater numbers, and some studies say as many as one million women have IC," Williams said.

People with IC have a bladder that is tender and easily irritated. The bladder stores urine until it's passed out of the body. What happens in the bladder to cause IC is not clear, but some changes have been observed. The protective lining that keeps urine away from the bladder walls may become thinner. The walls may stiffen and harden so the bladder can't expand to hold urine. During certain tests, pinpoints of bleeding maybe seen on the bladder wall. Rarely, a ulceration(called a Hunner's ulcer) may also be found.

"Many different types of treatment are available for people to manage IC symptoms and relieve pain," Williams said. "Some may work well for one person and not for another; so several types of treatment may be tried before you and your doctor determine the best plan for an IC patient. It's important to see and stay in communication with a physician."

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications (taken by mouth or put directly into the bladder), biofeedback, electrical stimulation of the bladder, and, rarely, surgery.

In February 2002, Williams began treating Walker, and Williams shared thoughts about starting an IC support group. By September, monthly support groups started averaging 10 to 20 people a month. 

"I'm very appreciative of Jackie for taking the time and making the effort to get this group started," Walker said. "Having the opportunity to listen to others tell about the problems that they have experienced has been extremely educational to me. Just knowing that there is someone I can call if I need to is a comforting thought."

Williams added, "I wanted a place where these patients could find someone else that would understand what they were going through. One lady cried when she got the flyer; she had felt so alone."

For more information contact the Baptist Health Line at 1-800-948-6262 or 948-6262. For more information on Southeast Urogynecology call (601) 948-6540 or visit their website at www.southeasturogyn.com.

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