Would you choose more meds or stricter diet?

[curlygirl]

I'm wondering if people would rather:
1) increase their meds and eat the foods they love or
2) stick to a more rigid diet and take fewer meds?

Thanks

[stacey79]

Ha! Depends on the day! :) Somedays I would love to have something I'm not supposed to, but I also love feeling well.

Most days I would say take less meds. I don't like being on so many. Actually I've been feeling better after working on my diet, so I'm hoping to be able to start reducing some of my doses soon. That would be nice. So, I guess that's my answer.

However, I do think I'm pretty lucky as far as diet goes. I'm the most sensitive to all products with vinegar, pop (excpet A&W root beer - just discovered I'm OK with it, which is very exciting) and citrus fruit. That's not so bad at all compared with what some of you have to give up.

[kadi]

For me, definitely would rather put up with the diet than take more meds. I am very medication sensitive & tend to have a lot of side effects & allergies. I also figure the less damage I do myself to my bladder, the better the chance of a good recovery when they actually do figure out this rotten disease.

The diet has no side effects, is not costly, and I don't have to worry about some disastrous FDA finding in a few years. And I feel that I'm doing my best this way & not being self destructive...

[kadi]

That doesn't mean I'm not a little sad when I go out to eat at restaurants or to a dinner party at someone's house, though.

[massagedoula]

Definetly diet. I am not taking any meds now...I had bad reactions to everything I tried....I am taking fish oil caps flax seed oil, George's Brand Aloe Vera and drinking 100% blueberry juice every morning (antioxidant and prevents UTIs..iand t doesn't bother my bladder in the slightest!)

[trytosmile]

Hands down, the diet.

I take 6 medications a day and I'm a walking zombie and pretty much a emotional train wreck. I have a very low tolerance for medications and have all my life. I can only take in very low dosages (which in turn make the medication less effective) and the side effects still get to me. My daily routine is pretty slow. Thinking has become almost existant. Very frustrating. If diet could cure this illness, I'd stop all medications and be on my way to the shopping market. You wouldn't see me for dust.

[dyno]

Yes, the diet. I would watch what I eat rather than having to take more meds.

[ICNDonna]

Isn't that kind of like asking would I rather touch a hot stove and put on a bandaid or avoid touching the hot stove?

By all means I would avoid touching the hot stove --- and definitely avoid trigger foods.

I know the diet can be a challenge, but it's definitely worth it. I, like every other ICer, occasionally slip and pay the penalty, but after I do it, I really stick to my diet for a loooong time.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[vm]

I definitely did a strict diet before going on the meds. I wanted to try the cheapest and simplest (not easiest, though) way to help myself before putting meds in my body. I found both things were key for me.

[Stephanie2004]

I would choose the stricter diet, unless it becomes so very strict that I'm in danger of malnutrition. (I worry about not having enough variety.) As far as being tempted by junk food, processed foods, and treats like chocolate and coffee, no way! There's no nutritional need for them, and I am a big, big coward about risking pain. (It took me months to work up the nerve to try red bell peppers and pears.)

That said, I have to admit that I dreamt about chocolate all night long last night. I was showing my niece all of the high-quality, custom-made chocolate things that Santa left in my stocking (which is a little weird, but hey it's a dream). Then I accidentally forgot that I couldn't have chocolate and ate a couple of Andes Mints (with dark chocolate). The taste was stronger than I remembered and almost unpleasant. I braced myself for a flare, then woke up.