IC Awareness Daily Fact #8 - Many IC and pelvic pain patients have had unnecessary hysterectomy.

IC Awareness Daily Fact #8 – Many IC and pelvic pain patients have had unnecessary hysterectomy.

Some patients have had inappropriate hysterectomies only to discover, after the fact, that their pelvic pain was originating from their bladder. IC patient Angela Burch won a $2,000,000 federal medical malpractice settlement in Florida when her ob-gyn needlessly removed her healthy uterus even after the urologist reported that she had interstitial cystitis. This is not unusual. Many physicians, particularly ob-gyns, primary care or emergency room personnel, are poorly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder pain patients. Educating gynecologists and primary care providers is a critical need.

If you’ve had an inappropriate hysterectomy we would love to hear your story. Why was it suggested? When was it done?? When did you find out that your pain was actually coming from your bladder?? How do you feel about it now?

Websites that can help! If you’re considering or recovering from a hysterectomy, please visit the fabulous HYSTERSISTERS website for more information and hysterectomy support!

About the Author: Jill Osborne

My Google Profile+ Jill Heidi Osborne is the president and founder of the Interstitial Cystitis Network, a health education company dedicated to interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome and other pelvic pain disorders. As the editor and lead author of the ICN and the IC Optimist magazine, Jill is proud of the academic recognition that her website has achieved. The University of London rated the ICN as the top IC website for accuracy, credibility, readability and quality. (Int Urogynecol J - April 2013). Harvard Medical School rated both Medscape and the ICN as the top two websites dedicated to IC. (Urology - Sept 11). For many years, Jill served on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Panel (US Army) where she collaborated with researchers to evaluate new IC research studies for possible funding. Jill has conducted and/or collaborates on a variety of IC research studies on new therapeutics, pain care, sexuality, the use of medical marijuana, menopause and the cost of treatments, shining a light on issues that influence patient quality of life. An IC support group leader and national spokesperson for the past 20 years, she has represented the IC community on radio, TV shows, at medical conferences. She has written hundreds of articles on IC and its related conditions. Jill has a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacology and a Masters in Psychology, Jill was named Presidential Management Intern (aka Fellowship) while in graduate school. (She was unable to earn her PhD due to the onset of her IC.) She spends the majority of her time providing WELLNESS COACHING for patients in need and developing new, internet based educational and support tools for IC patients, including new live IC Support Group Meetings via Youtube and the “Living with IC” video series. Jill was diagnosed with IC at the age of 32 but first showed symptoms at the age of 12.

One Comment

Misty Harman September 9, 2014 at 5:26 pm

I was diagnosed with IC about 3 months after my hysterectomy. The gyno diagnosed me with endo 3 months before the hysterectomy and I had 2 choices Lupron or surgery. When the pain continued after my LAP to dx endo she said I was just having bladder spasms. It got so bad I went to see her and she was out of the country and the other gyno (A male), told me there was no way I was in that much pain after having a LAP. I had healed from the surgery, but it felt like it had really pissed something off inside me. After quiet a few visits back to her I was finally referred to an urologist and had a hydrodistention. What I do not understand is my bladder was extremely tender the entire time (come off the table when touched tender). They had to have an idea, but told me it was spasms at least until after the hysterectomy. All it would have taken was to have the referral before hand, but I feel like they want to do what they can to make their money first. Both the male and female did my surgeries and they had both examined me. All I can say is if you have chronic pelvic pain make sure they refer you before you let them take anything. I understand the LAP and/or exploratory surgery but… not something life altering.

Comments are closed.