May, 2011

I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis last August after visiting the Duke Endo Center (although I still cannot pronounce it right the first time!). It was probably the best thing that came from that visit. I started Elmiron immediately and definitely found some relief. No longer was I running to the bathroom all the time. I did find some relief from abdominal pain (it isn’t completely gone but there was a significant reduction). If I miss doses, I can tell a huge difference. However considering I’m still not pain-free and while I know I’ve got scar tissue and endo issues going on, I wonder if there isn’t more I could be doing for my IC outside of popping my four pills a day.

So being the good nerd I am, I started researching and came across this awesome IC diet list produced by the IC Network. It breaks food into 3 categories: Bladder Friendly, Try It (items that are generally safe but may bother some so you should try them once symptoms are under control), and Caution. I love that it is all broken out simply in a 5 page PDF that is easy to understand and easy to search. I was worried that I would have to cut out all dairy but just about everything was on the safe (or try it) list except for processed cheeses and soy products (which I avoid anyway with my endo). The things that break my heart that are on the caution list are: soda (regular root beer is on the try it list but everything else falls under the caution – maybe this is my motivation to finally give it up!); chocolate (gasp!), and several of my favorite fruits (pineapple, strawberries, and grapes).

My diet needs some readjusting anyway thanks to the couple pounds that have somehow made their way back so its time to kill two birds with one stone! Maybe I will get lucky and drop a couple pounds AND get some additional relief so that I can enjoy my gym membership! The water park opens this weekend!