My first bottle of Prelief Lots of questions

[redmowii]

I have had IC for about 4 months and have just bought my first bottle of Prelief. My uro said that most of his patients don't like it. I am very unsure of how to start. He said the best way to control IC was to do your diet and then use Prelief the times where you can't control it. Like when going out to eat. So lots of questions. 1) Does everyone use it every meal? 2) Is the most common dose 2 pills? 3) Do you take it a certain amount of time before eating, or just right before? 4) I know that some people can drink some wine with Prelief but is there a certain kind?
Thank you for any response. I think that I have been in a little flare also so any ideas on that will be helpful. :loco:

[NonnyJ]

I wish I could answer these questions for you right off hand but I just grabbed my bottle of Prelief and I found a toll-free number you can call on the back for questions. Its 1-800-994-4711 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm EST, M-F or visit there website at www.prelief.com.

[kadi]

I take it right along with the food I'm eating. I think it only lasts about a half hour so if what you're eating takes longer than that (like sipping a decaf latte), you need to take another dose. I don't take it every time I eat because it does cause some gas. But, I will take it if I want a tsp of ranch dressing on salad, or some raspberries mixed with my blueberries, or a tsp of ketchup with my fries or some decaf low acid coffee. (I do take it even with the low acid coffee because my IC is super-diet sensitive). And I do keep it to one of these kinds of treats a day, to not push my limits.

Hope you find it helpful, it does allow me a few little treats, so I'm pretty grateful for it.
:)

[Amyinagony]

I take it right before a meal if I think I need to. I try really hard to stick with the diet, but for those times when you can't or want a little ranch dressing or a little catsup...it does help and I take anywheres between 2 and 4 of them depending on how bad the acid content is. You may have to try it out to see what works best for you.

[kadi]

Oh, and I take it with Tylenol if I ever have a headache. (If I don't, Tylenol gives me a flare to compete with the headache..)

[SharonA]

I have been using Prelief for around 3 years. Ever since I found out about it. I was very sceptical about it at first, but it has proven itself.

I take one tab in the morning right before the one cup of coffee I allow myself everyday.

When at home, since I can control what is in my foods and what I eat, I don't usually have to take any before eating meals or snacks. If I want to eat anything that I think "might" cause me some problems, then I take 2 tabs right before.

When I go out to eat, I always take 2 tabs right before I eat or drink anything besides water.

If I have something to eat or drink when I am out that has a lot of spice or acid, then I take up to 4 tabs. I usually avoid those things, though. Sometimes it happens no matter how careful I am.

One thing I discovered that works for me is if I begin to have that first burning in the bladder that signals a flare coming on, I take 2 tabs with a full glass of water and it seems to calm things down for me. I am not sure if this works for anyone besides myself. It might be worth a try.

The best advice I can give you about calming down flares is to relax and drink water. You want to dilute the urine in your bladder and flush it out as quickly as possible. Use a heating pad or ice bag on your bladder to help comfort or cool things down. Sometimes, if I use my hands and lightly rub my belly where my bladder is, that will help soothe things down. Especially if my bladder is in spasm mode.

:) :) :)

[redmowii]

Thank you all for the advice. I will have to try it and see. I really appreicate it.
Redmowii

[theclownster]

When I first started taking prelief, I took it religiously - no matter what I ate or ingested (including meds). Sometimes the inactive ingredients in meds (coating too) can cause flares. Now that my symptoms are regulated, I don't need to take prelief quite as often, but usually take it with most meals. I take 2 to 3 tablets depending on what I'm eating. There have been times when I needed more. My doctor told me it was safe to take as often as I do. I usually keep a bottle on the kitchen counter and a bottle in my purse.

Hope this helps!
Jennifer

[work it]

My prelief experience is similiar to Jennifer's. I took all the time in the beginning and Uro said it was okay to take as many as I was since it takes the acid out of food. I would usually take 4 at a time with each meal. I keep a bottle in the car so I know I always have some if I go somewhere to eat and a bottle in the house. I have found that it helps me a lot.

[prbetty]

Dear redmowii:

Prelief is an over-the-counter supplement (calcium glycerophosphate) that takes the acid out of acidic foods and beverages.

Our recommended dosage is to take at least 2 Prelief tablets with each meal (or just prior). I also recommend taking 2 tablets with between meal snacks (a cup of coffee, a glass of juice) or a glass of wine (red or white) after dinner.

I would be happy to talk with you and answer any additional questions or provide further information if you would like to contact me direct at 1-800-994-4711 or e-mail me at prbetty@akpharma.com.

Betty Corson
Customer Service Manager