not an alcoholic but...

[theoutlaw77]

I have been really trying to stick to this diet, but it is pretty hard. I have been using Prelief when I want to have a cup of coffee, a piece of chocolate...I am still in a constant flare since I am waiting for some treatment to actually work (just started Elmiron and instills...)and it is hard to tell what foods bother me, and which ones don't. But, the one thing I KNOW for sure is that alcohol bothers me A LOT!!! I am not an alcoholic or anything, but I do (well, DID) like to go out and have a few drinks once in awhile. I know that beer is the worst for me. I used to drink Coors Light, but that is totally out of the question now. I thought that maybe I could get away with those Smirnof things (flavored like Green Apple...) since the diet said vodka may be ok, but it KILLED me! It may have even been worse than beer! My question is- is there ANYTHING out there that isn't TOO bad?

[Cricketmk3]

Right now there may not be any alcoholic beverage you can tolerate but as your IC improves (and I just know it will), you may be able to tolerate certain things. I had a beer over the weekend and I never thought I'd reach the point of being able to have one again. All is well so far.

[Trying2Cope]

Trust me, I KNOW it's hard to give up certain things, but you should probably pass on those problem foods and drinks until you get a handle on your IC pain. For me, it took about six months for the Elmiron to kick in. During that time, I did manage to stay away from beer, alcohol and certain foods that are definate no-no's. I slipped now and then, trying to find food I could tolerate. As my symptoms cleared and I finally felt relatively pain-free, I started trying things again. Gin and tonic without the lime seems to be OK for me, as long as I don't overdo it. Non-alcoholic beer is OK for me too. I still haven't been brave enough to try spaghetti sauce.

[asmashly]

I do enjoy drinking with friends on the weekend. This has been hard for me to accept. The idea of being the DD all the time is not thrilling to me. I take Prelief whenever I drink, but lately my flare has been unmangable. Normally I can some what handle Budlight or Ultra, but not so much now. I read on the some what ok list that Gin was a could try, but tonic would make me nervous.

This really is a difficult disease.

[angelmom34]

I too like to have a beer every now and then. :woohoo: However, since I started taking Elmiron and Prelief 3-4 month ago, I have backed off the beer. :mad: One weekend, my hubby and I went out, I had authentic mexican food, 2 cosmopolitan drinks, and then sex. Boy did I pay! That is what triggered me to go to he doctor to be treated. I was in so much pain!
Just try a little at a time and don't overdo! And take Prelief before anything.
Good Luck! :pray:

[asmashly]

Wow--3 whammys that would send me into overdrive as well. I am just not prepared to change my lifestyle just yet. But I guess I don't really have a choice

[cybersis]

There is a new cooler that I saw in the store that is vodka and milk. One is banana flavoured and the other is strawberry flavoured. I tried both and didn't flare at all! I enjoyed the banana a little more then the strawberry and it was a nice cool drink. You might give that a try!

[asmashly]

Do you remember the name?

I have a bacholorette party tomorrow--it is going to be so hard with this damn IC

[Julie B]

It is funny that you posted this......tonight is my husband's graduation (MBA) and he called me awhile ago and said, be prepared to party........and I said, well I will bring a large purse and collect all of the keys.......then drive everyone back to the hotel (it is out of town). He grunted......(I guess I am not "fun" when he is drinking but I am not) but you know what...........not just the IC.......I FEEL so much better when I don't drink........I really do...........ALSO..............I am a LOT MORE fun the days afterward!!! :) It just isn't a great trade for me to have a couple of drinks for one evening, then be out of commission for 3-4 days afterwards...........

And for those who said they didn't feel ready for the lifestyle changes.......that is very very normal.......all ICers face that...........hang in there........making changes slowly is the best way to make lifestyle changes.........XOXO

[cybersis]

Sorry, can't remember the name but shouldn't be hard to find. They are in bright yellow and pink rapping and are in the cooler section. Good Luck!

[sedavis]

I can drink a white wine with Prelief with no problems. I did wait until I was symptom free before trying it. I'm going on a cruise so I'm going to try a Pina Coloda before I go just to see if it's OK. Sue

[Ih8IC]

I have tried TJ's 100% blueberry juice that I mix myself and vodka with lots of crushed ice. I used to love cranberry and vodka... but no more. I take 3 prelief and have ony tried one drink. It is okay, no pain but a little higher frequency. I only do this about 2x a month, plus I plan it to make sure I don't have anything else that might be a trigger on that day. Good luck, I understand exactly how you feel.