questions about aloe vera and pain meds?

[jeanniebug]

I just started taking the Desert Harvest Aloe Vera a week ago. I've been in tons of pain for the past year..tried Elmiron, DMSO, hydrodistention, nothing so far has worked. I am taking 6 aloe vera per day and continue to feel like crap. :mad: I did read that it takes some time to start helping. But I was wondering, has anyone ever flared up WORSE while taking the aloe vera? Also-I was not sure where to post this next question but-has anyone ever heard that pain medicines like Lortab etc. can actually aggravate IC symptoms? I am on Lortab and Mepergan, as well as valium and Elavil..and the aloe vera. I saw a show on IC and the urologist said they have seen evidence that most pain medications actually worsen IC symptoms. :hmm: That is hard for me to imagine, since I climb the walls from pain and the pain meds seem to at least take the edge off it. Any opinions or theories you all have heard would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!!!! :grouphug:

[Katrina]

My experience has been that most things that help some people with IC symptoms will probably hurt at least one person. Aloe Vera was good to me. I would avoid ibiphron since it is acidic. I have not heard that most pain meds actually worsen IC symptoms, rather than they are often the only way to get any relief.....

[yorkiemom]

I cannot tolerate pains meds at all. I've tried all the pain meds you can name, all the antihistamines, all the antispasmodics, all the herbals, etc. My bladder is just too sensitive to tolerate them for some reason. As some IC'ers have posted in the past, "I can't tolerate Western medicines." Don't know why. Aloe vera burns some IC'ers, including me. You are taking several meds--can you figure out which one is irritating your bladder by process of elimination? Sometimes docs will advise you to stop all meds, go back to baseline and add them back one at a time to see which one is giving you grief. You can only do this under the advice of a doctor, however. If you just starting flaring when you took the aloe vera, then that might be the culprit. Good luck; will say a little prayer for you.

[jeanniebug]

Thanks for the info. I am actually feeling a little better yesterday and today (don't want to jinx myself...). I have been getting by with just 1/2 Lortab in the evenings the past 2 days..plus the Valium I take in the mornings, the Lidocaine gel, and Elavil at night. I did not realize that the Desert Harvest Aloe Vera actually bothered some people???? Yikes!!!!!! At this point I don't think it's causing me anymore discomfort than I already have. I paid $132.00 for 2 bottles so as long as I'm feeling a little better the past couple of days, I will try to stick it out and see if it helps. I accidently tossed my receipt and cant' get a refund for the unused capsules. :mad: But if it seems to be bothering me I will toss it out and cut my losses! However thank you Yorkiemom for the suggestion of elimination for the meds..I will discuss that with my doctor. Ibuprofin, Aspirin and Tylenol set me off really bad, so I suppose anything is possible at this point. ;) Thanks again------- :grouphug:

[trytosmile]

What is Desert Harvest Aloe Vera. When I hear aloe vera, I think plant. :hmm: Never heard of it. Like you I've tried every treatment out there and nothing works for me. :headbang:

[jeanniebug]

(((trytosmile))) You can read all about the aloe vera at www.desertharvest.com From what I understand, this is the only form of aloe vera that IC'ers can usually tolerate, if at all. It is in a capsule form for the bladder. Or, they also sell a gel which you can refrigerate and use on the vaginal area, for vaginal pain or even as a lubricant before sex. I like the gel alot, it's very soothing. The stuff sold over the counter and/or at health food stores is still too processed for our sensitive bladders. The Desert Harvest aloe vera can be purchased in the ICN shop on this website..so I trusted it. It has helped alot of people. Go on the website and click on "interstitial cystitis" on the left and you can read all about it. It really hasn't caused me anymore discomfort than I usually have, so at this point, up is the only way for me to go. :) Hope this helps answer your question. :grouphug:

[trytosmile]

Thanks for the information Jeannie. Will take a look at the website.

:bunny:

[Julie B]

HI Jeanniebug! How are you doing on the Desert Harvest up to now. Is it about a week and a half? I have been taking CystaQ, but I try to get as much information on the other supplements as I can to help my patients. I hope you are doing well.

Trytosmile, did you find the website and did you find the Desert Harvest link at ICN? (Alternatives and Food Supplements) (http://icnshop.com/cgi-bin/ustorekeeper.pl?command=goto&file=Alternatives.html&rtn=jb) Let me know...........Julie B

[jeanniebug]

Hey Julie! I'm taking the break from the aloe vera for a couple of days..because I've been flaring really really bad this weekend. I've been taking 6 per day for about 2 1/2 weeks now, I think it's been that long. I am concerned that it is aggravating my pain....what a bummer, eh?! Anyway I'm going off it and not sure if I will go back on it again or try to get a refund, but I will try to keep you posted! :)

[Julie B]

(warning stupid question ahead)

Are you sure it is the aloe vera capsules? Did it help at first? hmmmmm anything else you can think of that could have caused this flare?

[jeanniebug]

Hey Julie! Naw..that's not a stupid question..because I have really not pin pointed the culprit yet. It could have been stress-induced. However, at this point I'm taking a break from anything new that could have caused it..because I am finally feeling more human today. I did not notice any improvement during the 2 weeks I was taking it. I know it takes longer than that to see if it's helping. My bladder is just soooo sensitive. Once I get to feeling a little better, I might try it again. My past experience has been, my bladder did not like DMSO treatments, Elmiron, Tylenol, Advil, glucosamine chondroiten..stuff like that. So I will have to let things settle down first before I introduce it again. I just haven't decided if I'm brave enough yet. :( I am always in some sort of a flare so, it's been really hard for me to figure out my triggers. But I will let you know if I am able to figure this out. :)

[trytosmile]

Jeanniebug and Julie..

Yes I did read through the websites. On the one you cld get samples forwarded to you via mail so I have requested.

Jeanniebug...sounds like you have my bladder. Mine is very sensitive too. Always afraid to try something new. I read the treatments your bladder didn't like and mine didn't like them either. The last heparin treatment they tried, they had to stop because I became so inflammed etc from the insertion of the cathedar and they where using the smallest size. Got to the point they couldn't insert it, it was so painful. :headbang:

[Judy Gee]

Hi all, I have a quick question. I have been reading that some people flare with Aloe Vera. What about the other alternatives? I have been taking Algonot three and five. I have just been going through a flare up after being under control for a while. I had gone to 5 when the flare up started but not until I read your postings did I wonder if I was taking too much or for too long. Could it be? Has anyone else had a simmialr problem? If you back off do you go down hill? Please help, I'm new at this. (scared too) Judy G