Interstitial Cystitis

[jamielt]

Okay..I have to ask if anyone else feels these pains with IC

When you have a flare up does it ever feel like a yeast infection? sore and painful?

does it ever feel swollen?

Does your urethra ever hurt?

back, side pains???

anything will help!!

[carolee]

From what I have experienced, I would say "Yes" to the first 3 questions.

I have been trying to be very careful about what I eat and drink, following a list of foods I found at www.ic-network.com called the ICN Diet Reference Sheet, and I had several days of very few symptoms. Then I started to try some of the things I like on the "usually problematic" list and had a flare-up today. I also went to a health food store and spoke to someone who was knowledgeable about natural supplements and products, and called a local radio program on which two chiropractors trained in nutritional counseling answer questions. Some of the things they recommend are also found on various interstitial cystitis websites. One of the things that those knowledgeable in nutrition always recommend is to stay away from junk foods, sugars, white flour products, anything that contributes to yeast growth in the body, especially since antibiotics which are so often prescribed kill the good bacteria and allow fungus and yeast to grow in the body, which produce all kinds of problems. They also suggest eating foods that are fresh and natural rather than processed, organic if possible, and animal protein from animals which are not fed hormones and antibiotics.

I would find someone who is knowledgeable about good nutrition to talk to.

I have found when I eat things that I know probably will cause problems and I have a flare-up that leaves me feeling miserable that pain is a great motivator to give up those things. I think this is going to be a long process, but I believe that God can heal anything and I am willing to cooperate in order to feel good again. May He help you find good health.