Think outside the box

[QueenJutea]

If any of you ladies use incontinence pads STOP. Only use unscented organic sanitary napkins. Use unscented gentle soap like Dove. Watch your medications some dry out mucous membranes. Use a warm microwave bed buddy on painful areas. Not just on the belly but directily on the painful area. Make sure it is not to hot. It feels great.

Now here is for thinking outside the box. Be open minded. This is a protocol that address bacterial invasion of cells. I don't know if it will apply to IC but read carefully and give it some thought. Dr. T M is a research scientist and is doing an online protocol. It is free and he is not selling anything. In fact you will have to go to your own doctor to do the protocol.

If any one suffers from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, lyme disease, sarcoidosis or any other autoimmune diseases this protocol is being tried already on his website. You can track peoples progress using the Marshall Protocol and decide for yourself. Please check out the website.

Happy Holidays
QueenJutea

[ICNDonna]

Some people may be sensitive to scented or deodorant pads. I am not. Following surgery, I used incontinence pads for months with no problem --- and no increase in IC symptoms. Dove soap, on the other hand, is a skin irritant for me --- as are most other soaps. Use of soaps and pads are individual decisions --- not everyone can use the same products. I personally use Neutrogena because it is neither acid or alkaline and seems to be the best choice for ME. Some find it very drying and are completely unable to use it. I also use Poise panty liners when needed, such as on DMSO day.

I have done some reviewing of the web site mentioned; it appears to be information on antibiotic therapy, which some find helpful; others find disastrous. We are all so very different --- it's not possible to fit us into any one mold.

Donna

[icnmgrjill]

I agree that some IC patients are chemically sensitive. I certainly went through a period where I couldn't wear any of the paper menstral pads and had to switch to cotton flannel for a while. It's funny how we are all so different. But, if you are struggling with irritation down there or in your urethra, it's certainly worth trying to eliminate any potential chemical irritants. Laundry detergent, for example, just kills me. You can read more about this in the latest Self Help Tip of the Month that I added to our handbook a few months ago. http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/

As to antibiotics, Donna said it well. Antibiotics can "seem" to help not because they are killing infection... but because they also have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. The overuse of antibiotics when infection is not present certainly creates a risk of developing resistent bladder infections and, in some cases, more bladder irritation.

Jill :)