How long do flares usually last??

[Shelka]

Hello All!

It's been awhile since I posted since my IC was really good from about last August to this past March, but since then I've had a flare that just hasn't gone away! (arg, just when I was thinking the wonderful word...r-e-m-i-s...!)

Ok, so my question is: How long do flares usually last?? I have days where it's only somewhat better but this really bad 'got to go' feeling never quite goes away. :bonk:

It's been going on over +2 months now and the last treatment (& only treatment that seemed to have worked for me last summer) of heparin/lidocaine/sodium bicarb doesn't seem to have worked this time around and I'm not sure what to do now? I went for about 7 treatments over 3 weeks and I'm still flaring. I don't know how long one should keep at it if they don't see results after a few weeks? I can't get an ap't with my urologist for months (and even then he really seems to have no clue), so I'm wondering if anyone who goes for these treatments might be able to pass on some advice from your docs?

Thanks!
Shelley

ps -Btw, I had my husband (Attila) post for me recently b/c I was trying as much as possible to get my mind off this so I wanted to thank-you as well for all your replies, it was a great help!

[Katrina]

:hi: A flare from last from a few hours to a many weeks....In my mind if it lasts months or longer (which happens) it is a lot harder to end.

I take it with all of those treatments you are tested for infection regularly right?

I know my urethra doesn't always like the catheder much...do you use a pediatric size catheter?
Do you use any other treatments? Unfortunatly for some it takes multiple treatments at times (I am on a lot myself!)

Treatment IC list`


1. Diet
1.1. Alcohol Reduction
1.2. Food Avoidance
1.3. Avoid tomatoes
1.4. Avoid spices
1.5. Avoid chocolate
1.6. Avoid caffeine
1.7. Avoid citrus beverages
1.8. Avoid acidic foods
1.9. Avoid artificial sweeteners
1.9.1.
1.3 Alkline Diet
Atkins diet http://atkins.com
2. 2. Herbs CystaQ
3. ProstaQ

1. sooth
a. Marshmallow rooth (soothing to mucous membranes)
b. Mullein (soothing to mucous membranes)
c. Confrey leaf (soothing to mucous membranes
d. Aloe Vera (soothing to the intestines and mucous membranes)
e. Acidophilus (soothing to stomach and intestines)
f. Flax Seed Oil (Soothing to the intestines and any inflammation)
g. Glucosamine Sulfate (soothing to the joints)
h. Vitamin E (soothing to mucous membranes)
i. Licorice root (soothing to mucous membranes)
j. Slippery Elm (Soothing to mucous membranes)
2. Cleansing
a. Olive leaf extract
b. Colostrum
c. Colloidal Silver
d. Oil of oregano
e. Garlic
f. Ginger
3. Antibiotic/Anti fungal/antiviral
a. Echinacea/Goldenseal
b. Colostrum
c. Colloidal Siver
d. Olive Leaf Extract
e. Oil of oregano
f. Tea Tree Oil (don’t ingest – external use only)
g. Garlic
4. Antispasmodic
a. Marshmallow root tea
b. Marshmallow root tincture
c. Catnip
d. Rasberry leaf
e. Chamomile tea
f. Lavender Oild (a little rubbed over the pelvic/bladder area)
4. Pyridium (Phenazopyridine)
5. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Desert Harvest Aloe
6. Fresh Water Algae aloe vera tablets Spirulina.
7. Vicodin etc. (Hydrocodone; Acetaminophen)
8. Elmiron etc. (Pentosan)
9. Antibiotic Therapy: Augemntin http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/antibiotic.html
9.1. Amoxicillin
9.2. Ampicillin
9.3. Augumentin
9.4. Doxycyline
9.5. Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
9.6. Marodantin etc. (Nitrofurantoin)
10. Elavil etic (Amitriptyline)
11. Bladder Installations
11.1. DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)
11.2. Heparin
11.3. Elmiron
12. Ditropan XL antispasmodic
13. Detrol (Tolterodine) an antispasmodic
14. Hyoscyamine Sulfate antispasmodic
15. Prelief (Calcium Glycerophosphate)
16. Alpha-Stim etc. (Microcurrent Electrical Therapy) over the counter
17. Calcium
18. Vistaril etc (Hydroxyzine Pamoate)
19. Singulair (Montelukast)
20. Lamictal etc. (Lamotrigine)
21. Refloxology some of the attachments of this post
22. Self Hypnosis
How to Hypnotize Yourself
Self hypnosis is relatively easy to learn, and for many people the basic technique can be mastered in a few days. Some have found self-hypnosis helpful for reducing stress.
Give yourself enough time to become completely relaxed.
a. Find some small object or spot out in front of you and above your line of sight. Focus all your conscious attention to the spot or object. Continue slow, deep, satisfying breathing.
b. Begin telling yourself how relaxed you feel.
c. You may feel your eyes watering and blinking. Give yourself suggestions to encourage your eyes to close: “As my eyes water and blink, it is as if the more they blink the more they are clearing away all worries, concerns, and anxieties”
d. Visualize a real or fantasy place of peacefulness and comfort—a place away from all concerns and distracting thoughts.
e. Focus your attention and your images on sensations in your hands and fingers. Visualize feeling of coolness, numbness, warmth, heaviness, or lightness. When you detect one of these feelings, encourage it to expand with more suggestions.
f. The change from regular waking consciousness to hypnotic consciousness can be a subtle one. You might not notice it the first time or two you try. Be patient with yourself.
a.
23. InterStim (Surgerical)
24. Bladder surgery
24.1. Fulguration of ulcers
24.2. Resection of ulcers
24.3. Bladder augmentation
24.4. Cystectomy (bladder removal) - with various options for urine routing
24.5. Such as associated urostomy surgery
24.6. Saccral nerve root stimulation - a form of TENS requiring surgery
25.
26. Yoga
27. Tens Unit
28. Pyridium (urinary anaesthetic)
29. Uristat (urinary anaesthetic)
30. Anticonvulsants such as Neurontin, Gabitril, Lamictal etc (Lamotrigine)
31. Lupron (puts women into a metapousal state)
32. Celebrex (anti inflammatory)
33. Bextra (Valdecoxib) anti inflammatory
34. Probiotics (Lactobacillus; Bifidobacterium etc.) http://www.consumerlab.com/results/probiotics.asp
35. Botox etc http://www.remedyfind.com/rem.asp?ID=8491 http://www.healthcentral.com/news/NewsFullText.cfm?id=8007157
36. Detrunorm http://www.remedyfind.com/rem.asp?ID=9688
37. Sleeping treatments. Medications such as Ambien sleeping well helps us heal

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/i/interstitial_cystitis/treatments.htm



This is a tratment list I am working on....it is far from complete there are many other treatment options out there but this includes a lot of self help alternatives.

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/sho...90935#post90935 Newbie kit from the oldies to the newbies
http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7562 this link is a pain managment post.
The second page has 4 attachments...the last one is a list of ideas for IC pain.....take a look if pain is problem for you.

I certainly hope you feel better soon!!!!!

[melanie626]

Hi-
I feel your pain. I have been feeling icky and flaring for the last 2 1/2 months.... and yes it is a drag- I wish I had an answer for you but I don't. I am just trying the diet religiously and going for a hydrodistension on Monday. PM if you want to chat more. I hope you feel better soon-
Melanie

[Shelka]

Hi there,

Thanks so much to both of you for your replies! My oh my, that's some list you're compiling! Just looking at it tires me out! :) but I'm sure it's a great idea to get togethere all the treatments in one place. I only hope that no one here has to explore ALL of those things before finding some relief! Yikes!

If anyone wants to PM me please do, would be nice to chat!

Shelley