Problems with chewing gum?

[Laurie248]

Hey folks:

Has anyone ever noticed a change with/without chewing gum?

I'm a hopelessly addicted gum chewer. Sometimes a full pack of ORBIT a day. I'm wondering if the sorbitol or artificial sweetner (whichever is in there) could have an effect on the bladder(???) I stopped chewing for two days and I notice both my bladder and IBS (constipation predominant) seem to be a bit better.

Anyone?
Laurie

[ICLori]

Hi, Laurie, hope you are doing well!

Many people have reported that artificial sweeteners do bother their bladder. I don't know about chewing gum specifically to be honest, but many of us can't drink, say, Crystal Light beverages etc. without having our bladders upset about it.

It seems very possible that the chewing gum could be upsetting your bladder, if enough of the artificial sweetener is making it through your body like that.

It's amazing what tiny quantities of things sometimes sets off our bladders. It's amazing to me that swallowing one little pill can often make my bladder hurt terribly for hours or even an entire day.

It's depressing to have to give up some of our favorite foods and beverages, but nearly all of us have had to make changes like that, unfortunately.

Blessings, Lori

[Laurie248]

Hi Lori!

Sorry I've been out of touch - I was away all weekend with no internet access and here I am on a Sunday afternoon, stopped in my office on the way home to get some work done so I'm not swamped on Monday morning.

Yes, I do think the chewing gum, if *anything* was contributing to me being bloated and gassy.....so we'll see what happens if I stay off it for a bit.

This week on the 15th I have my "pre-admissions testing" for my cystoscopy on the 23rd. I'm having blood drawn and my consult with the anesthesiologist. Ugh. I'm so frightened. :( Then on the 16th, I'm meeting with my actual urologist to go over what he's actually planning on doing. I hope to have more information then.

More soon,
Laurie

[ICLori]

It's okay - I'm glad you've been busy because that keeps your mind off the procedure, and makes time go by faster.

Yeah - it's weird how so many things can set off the IC bladder or IBS. Some people even get flares from bottled water, or tap water! Basically I've come to the conclusion that if you think something is bothering your bladder, it almost certainly is. But you know even doctors don't seem to know this about IC - it's so frustrating sometimes when it feels like we patients know more about the symptoms than the doctors do.

Good luck on your pre-test and everything. I'm going to be out of town from the 14th to the 23rd, so I won't be here for awhile, but I will check on the board when I get back in town.

Blessings, Lori

[sacausa]

I am totally addicted to Trident freshmint gum. I have absolutely no idea if it makes me flare, all I know is that I've never had a cavity and I partly give the the gum credit!