dminton
11-17-2004, 03:41 PM
I just wanted to share that I have tried some new things lately, and I am feeling better than I have in a LONG time!
First of all, I got off dairy products to see if it calmed down my IBS, and although I still have some IBS flares, I am much better off. I take Lactaid if I am going to consume any dairy such as at a buffet dinner. Who knows, this may be helping my bladder for some reason, also, although I can't imagine why it would.
Second, I switched from black tea to organic green tea, and I think this probably made a big difference in bladder pain levels for me. I knew the black tea was bad for me, whereas I can barely feel the green tea in my bladder when it passes through, unlike the black tea or the rare coffee. It is delicious with honey and Mocha Mix (non-dairy creamer). I am one of those people who has to have just a bit of caffeine to function. I also never consume more than the occasional sip of sodas, fruit or vegetable juices, or chocolate, and rarely alcohol.
Third, I am taking one Bextra 10 mg per day, which is a prescription anti-inflammatory, for headache prevention as well as some mild arthritis. It could be effecting my bladder as well. It didn't do anything in the past, but that was when I only took it every now and then, whereas now I have taken it every day for a few weeks. These meds do seem to work better when taken regularly for chronic things.
Also, I am coming up on the end of my second year on Elmiron. I did try to go off of it at one point and had such an awful relapse that I said "never again". I take two capsules twice a day. I still take half a Vicodin about 2 or 3 times a day.
I hope this helps someone! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this continues. I'm not out of the woods entirely, but the improvement is definitely worth mentioning!
First of all, I got off dairy products to see if it calmed down my IBS, and although I still have some IBS flares, I am much better off. I take Lactaid if I am going to consume any dairy such as at a buffet dinner. Who knows, this may be helping my bladder for some reason, also, although I can't imagine why it would.
Second, I switched from black tea to organic green tea, and I think this probably made a big difference in bladder pain levels for me. I knew the black tea was bad for me, whereas I can barely feel the green tea in my bladder when it passes through, unlike the black tea or the rare coffee. It is delicious with honey and Mocha Mix (non-dairy creamer). I am one of those people who has to have just a bit of caffeine to function. I also never consume more than the occasional sip of sodas, fruit or vegetable juices, or chocolate, and rarely alcohol.
Third, I am taking one Bextra 10 mg per day, which is a prescription anti-inflammatory, for headache prevention as well as some mild arthritis. It could be effecting my bladder as well. It didn't do anything in the past, but that was when I only took it every now and then, whereas now I have taken it every day for a few weeks. These meds do seem to work better when taken regularly for chronic things.
Also, I am coming up on the end of my second year on Elmiron. I did try to go off of it at one point and had such an awful relapse that I said "never again". I take two capsules twice a day. I still take half a Vicodin about 2 or 3 times a day.
I hope this helps someone! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this continues. I'm not out of the woods entirely, but the improvement is definitely worth mentioning!