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!
Hey friend. Have you tried taking “Prelief” before you eat? It helps take the acid out of food. It is for people with IC. You can get it at Walgreens for sure, haven’t found it many other places. It is especially nice to take it if you are really craving something that you know may bother your bladder but decide to splurge on treating yourself to it once in awhile. I’d forgotten about it and then found it in my medicine cupboard again and got it back out to start using it.
There is a cookbook on the IC website as well that is helpful I’ve heard. Each of us are different in what makes our bladder flare. I’ve found lemonade and cranberry juice to be especially bothersome. It is kind of crazy since cranberry juice is often given as orders to drink for a UTI or kidney infection – but man do I pay for it if I drink it! I love lemonade too, so that was a hard thing to break. I had my first cup of lemonade last month in seven years – it was worth the little bit of flare. 🙂
Hope you are free from flares this week. You have my prayers!
Diane
I will have to check out this “Prelief” stuff! I’m not sure at this point what things in particular bother my bladder since I haven’t really focused on my IC much at all. I’ve just focused on foods being gluten-free and that’s it so it will be a learning experience. Day 1 was really tough today but so far I survived with no soda or chocolate! I just drank water (which of course made me run to the bathroom all day!).
That’s a bummer about the fruit and chocolate!
But…hopefully it’ll be worth it.
Who knew they had a bladder friendly diet!?!?
Jessica you were my 2000th comment! Yay! I hope it will be worth it in the end! Today was day 1 with no soda or chocolate and I am dying! Who knew I was so addicted!
Hey thanks for the list it should be useful for me too. Cystitis is one of the most painful experience I ever had!
I admire your strength – always! I hope you get lots of relief soon. And drop those pounds too!
🙂
BTW, passed along a “blogger award” to you tonight!
http://three-moms-in-one.blogspot.com/2011/05/rainbow-continued.html
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