Has anyone flared from the Lilly of the Desert aloe gel?

[jeanniebug]

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone's flared from the Lilly of the Desert aloe gel? I was on the George's which is 100% preservative free, tastes like water and has no citric acid. It helped a couple of days then wore off. So I switched to the Lilly of the Desert gel yesterday. And today my bladder is really really really sore! :mad: It could be just a bad day but I was curious if anyone's flared from it. Thanks!

[massagedoula]

Some people surely must flare from the citric acid in the gel. I was very very suprised that I don't seem to be one of them. I have been trying the gel for about 3 days. I was doing great all the last 3 days, save today I am flaring but I think that was from a dietary thing, not the gel. Sometimes it is hard to tell, and you have to stop the thing that might be causing it, wait to feel better, then introduce it again. That is how I recently found out that watermelon of all things causes a flare for me!

[2flyingdogs]

I've been using the gel for several months now and much to my surprise it has helped, not hurt. I could not find a brand in my area without citric acid, so I gave Lily of the Desert a try. I expected to flare from the citric acid, but I have not had any problems with it. Everytime I take it I taste the acidity and think "why am I doing this, it is going to cause a flare", but it never has. This has just been my experience, everyone is different!

I hope you fee better soon.

[massagedoula]

Do you find that the gel is a different consitency depending on each new bottle? The first one I had was really thick like jello and came out in little jiggiling clumps, now the new bottle I just opened it is really watery and runny and comes out with a gush, like melted jello....

[2flyingdogs]

Amazingly, I am still on the same bottle (the bottle is very large). What I have found is that the more I shake the bottle and the older it gets the more watery it is. I assumed it was similar to natural yogurt, in that the more you stir it the more watery it becomes.

[jeanniebug]

Well yesterday was pretty bad. But I drank a good 64 oz. of water, took an epsom salt bath (some people make think ouch! but this is sooooo soothing to me! I am not prone to bladder infections but my uro still only let me take an epsom salt bath up to 7 minutes...it REALLY helps my urethra pain!) I also used cold Desert Harvest aloe gel on my sore urethra, and took a Mepergan. Today I felt alot better, I took 3 big tablespoons of the Lilly of the Desert gel, and I still feel alot better pain-wise. So it must not have been the aloe that set me back. IC's so confusing! Anyway...I did go buy a gallon of the George's aloe juice that tastes like water so I can alternate back and forth..say, gel in the morning, the juice at night. I just can't handle the taste. Also-I emailed the representative for George's online. She said they do not make a drinkable gel, only the liguid, but some people increase their dosage to 6 oz. twice per day for more effective relief from inflammation. You should check with your doctor first, of course. :) But anyway if my flare ups become less frequent and/or not as violent then the gel will be worth it. Has it taking anyone some time to tell a difference...? The woman at the store where I buy it said it can take up to a month for some people. :hmm:

I haven't tried shaking the bottle up by I will!

[2flyingdogs]

I would say that it took about a month. I only take it once a day, because honestly that is as often as I can take it without gagging. It has lessened my pain, but has not done much for my frequency. For me, that makes it worth it because I typically have pain 24/7. There have actually been several times in the last month that I did not have bladder pain. When I was not consiously aware of my bladder! It has been years since I was able to say that! I have also been able to cut several flares off before that got REALLY bad by taking some (it took about 1-2 hours to notice the effect).

My Mom, who also has IC, has been taking aloe for several years now and has no pain at all. She still has the frequency though.
Good luck!

[ICPrincess]

I was very excited about the gel when I bought it a few weeks ago but I think the citric acid is bothering me too :(

I deicided to stop with the gel (plus the taste makes me seriously gag...although I would be willing to drink anything down that would help me). I just ordered a gallon of geroge's Aloe Juice and am going to drink that faithfully and see what happens. I have a friend who says the stuff is amazing and has helped her tremendously with her IBS and digestive problems. I hear good things from some of the other women out here on George's so it's worth a shot. Everyone says it tastes like water. No nastiness or bitterness plus it has absolutely no preservatives, additives or citric acid. I'll drink it down and see what happens. Wish me luck :)

[ScottR]

Georges does taste like water. I tried it but the Gel had the major affect on me. Georges is carried at a lot of stores in my area.

[massagedoula]

I tried George's and it worked a little for about a month, then suddenly stopped doing much of anything. I just don't think that it is as potent as the other forms of Aloe...but give it a try!

The jury is still out on how I am doing with the Lily of The Desert....I think I am doing ok with the citric acid, but I have been flaring recently, though it may not be from the gel....I guess I have to do trial and error....I hope that the gelis good for me...it feels so soothing going down, but tastes so bad!

[jeanniebug]

(((ICPrincess))) I have decided I am not able to tolerate the taste of the gel. I am going to keep it around for really bad flare days, to add some extra oomph to my attempt to head off a flare. But I bought a gallon of the George's and am now drinking that daily. It DOES help digestive problems alot..it will definitely keep you "regular" and is much better than using say, Milk of Magnesia, if any of your meds tend to make you constipated. I didn't have any of the cramping or anything. The only thing I could advise is start slow..about 2 oz. 2 times per day at first. I emailed a rep on the George's website. She said for severe inflammation, they recommend up to 4-6 oz. twice per day, however, she was careful to add to check with your doctor on that. Again, you would want to work up to that amount..if you try to drink that much the first day you'll get the runs. :toilet:

I spoke to the woman who owns our local health food store. She said that George's says their aloe juice is just as potent as the gel, and you will notice the bottle says "100% aloe vera". However she mentioned she could see why the gel may be more soothing for ulcers, since it's thicker. But her husband has stomach ulcers and can't stand the gel, so he asks her to bring home the George's. And I promise, it tastes exactly like purified water..even better.

I guess it just all boils down to what we can each tolerate. I know for me, even a tiny amount of citric acid can be bad. :headbang:

I'm pretty sure it's as potent as they say it is. I was thirsty the other day and drank a bunch of it...it's like water so I got carried away. Let's just say I felt like I lost 10 pounds that day. Yikes...a little TOO much help w/the digestive system! :rolleyes:

[ICPrincess]

Hey Jeannie,

Thank you for sharing that. The only concern I have is wondering why you get the runs? Does George's brand does not filter out the laxative stuff like everyone else seems to? I thought everyone filtered that stuff out nowadays so that you do not get a laxative affect? I heard that the laxative affect from Aloe can be dangerous which is why it is supposed to be filtered out...yikes....

[jeanniebug]

My understanding is that the George's is 100% aloe vera juice, preservative free etc., and that is what it says on the bottle. The woman who owns the health food store here said that any aloe, even in it's most natural form, can cause the runs, if it's taken in excess. I took a whole bunch of the Lilly of the Desert at first and had the same problem, I just went over the recommended dosage on the bottles. Sorry to be graphic..it wasn't technically the "runs", it just cleaned me out to the point that I realized I needed to stick to the recommended dosage. She was just saying, don't go drinking two big glasses of it or it could give the runs, that aloe is a natural laxative which is why it works so well for people with IBS. This is my understanding..maybe some others can offer their knowledge and experience as well, maybe someone who is a dietician can chime in. But really if I stick to the dosage and gradually up it, I'm ok.

Here's some info I copied for you directly from the George's brand website:

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Q. Why doesn’t Georges Aloe taste bad?
A. Most Aloe Vera products are slimy and have a very bitter taste. We remove the chemical antagonists such as the aloins and Anthraquinone that are mildly toxic. These antagonists can cause stomach cramping, diarrhea and in some cases vomiting. As a result, our product has no adverse flavor.

Unlike other brands, our product is safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers and people of all ages.

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Also, if you would like to check out the site, you can go directly to their website at http://www.warrenlabsaloe.com/liquids.htm I found this info under the "general" tab at the top, then click on "FAQS".

It also had this to say:

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Q. Can I take too much of Georges aloe?
A. Drinking more than the recommended amount will not hurt you. In fact, you may need to increase the amount you take depending on the severity of your condition. Once your condition has improved, you will want to continue with 2 ounces twice daily as a maintenance program.

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I promise I'm not trying to toot the horn either way for either brand..just for me, this is the one I can swallow without gagging. :) But I've never had diarrhea, just "going" way more than I would have liked to when I drank a whole bunch at once of either brand. ;)

[ICPrincess]

You're a doll Jeannie! Thank you for that! :)

That's the information I was looking for. It's nice to know they remove that stuff but almost miraculous when you think that it's pure Aloe and yet it goes down like water! I'm loving it already and it hasn't even arrived...lol..

I also ordered some of their gel for burns and stuff because I figured their's had to be better then the standard Banana Boat or Fruit Of The Earth brands. I will never forget burning the tip of my finger and being in horrible pain. I couldn't believe that a tiny burn to the finger could be so painful. I ran to the store and bought burn cream and tried all sorts of things. Nothing helped but running it under cold water but the moment I took it away, the pain returned. I called the emergency room of my hospital and said that I would feel funny coming down there for a tiny burn to my finger but what should I do. She whispered that I didn't get this from her but just go get an Aloe Vera plant or get some gel. I thought it had to be too simple but damn if she wasn't on the money. It was my second trip to the store in a few hours but I got some gel and after about three minutes the pain was gone! It made a total believer out of me! If it can do that on the outside, imagine what it can do on the inside for the burning we have in our bladders. I did notice something else that was kind of interesting. My skin was flawless when taking the gel (even though the citric acid bothered me). Aloe cleared my skin beautifully which was an extra added bonus! I only get break outs once a month but it was nice to see those not even appear as I went through my cycle with Aloe.

[jeanniebug]

:) Yes, it's freaky how it's 100% aloe vera and tastes like water. Since I started with the George's to begin with, I think that's why I had such a hard time getting the green gel down. Once I had no taste, I just couldn't be converted I guess.

I use the Desert Harvest aloe vera gel, which I keep in the fridge, for my urethra flare ups. It is sooo soothing when it's chilled. :) However I noticed even the Desert Harvest has Methylparaben, which I've heard bad things about for the bladder. So once I use that up, I'm going to buy the pure form of the George's gel and just keep that in the fridge.

Last year I got the most horrific "steam burn" over a hot pot on the stove on my thumb. At first it stung like hell, then it started turning purple and getting blisters...I know exactly what you mean, I thought I was going to DIE it hurt so bad. I didn't go to the ER either..but we did put some cold aloe on it and wrap it in a "bee hive", and kept it elavated that night. Like you I felt skittish about showing up at the ER with my gimp thumb..but man did it HURT! I was in tears. The skin was leathery for a couple of weeks. I guess the aloe gel is a good thing to have around the house if even for first aid. :)

Let me know how you like it, once it arrives.

[Butternut]

I started using the gel approx. 4 days ago. I want to say that I feel better but I am afraid to. Yes, it does taste bad but that's ok, if it works.

[ICPrincess]

I think you guys should read this. It's very extensive so it will take you about 10 minutes or so. It's is one of the most thorough studies and documents on Aloe and the companies that rip you off, I have ever seen. They do not name names but I can tell they are talking about George's when they speak of the Aloe Vera that comes from one USA company which is mainly what it taste like, pure water. You were right Ellie....George's is water :(

We just got a gallon of it and usually the gel makes any heartburn I have go away and makes my fiancee's digestive stuff ease down but this did nothing at all and now I see why...feel like calling them up and reaming them but they will still give me their load of garbage and line anyway so its not worth it. This carefully done document explains why true Aloe could never taste like water no matter what you do unless it was mainly water. Makes me see red. I am going to try that Real Aloe Company and if I do not like thier gel, I'm going back to Lily Of The Desert and just deal with the citric acid. George's should be closed down by the FDA! Unreal.... :mad:

http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Aloe%20Vera/plask20.htm

[jeanniebug]

I read this article today and decided to do some sleuthing on the subject. I noticed this one paragraph in particular in the article:
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The key to understanding how different classes of Aloe product compare is in familiarising oneself with the different categories of product defined by the International Aloe Science Council. There are 17 such categories – a number of which may be highly desirable to permit accuracy of description, but which most consumers are unlikely to grasp. Aloe vera "Juice" must be 95% Aloe vera to be correctly described. Aloe vera "Beverage" must contain not les than 50% Aloe vera Juice. Aloe vera "Drink" may contain as little as 10% Aloe vera Juice for the reasons described above. Aloe vera "Concentrate" must have had some of the water removed to attain a desired strength, though no lower limit of such water removal is specified. Obviously it is very important for the consumer’s sake that these different types of product are clearly identified on labels.
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I spoke to the public relations person for George's aloe vera juice today. She said they have received many called regarding this article. One key thing to notice in the paragraph above, is that it says basically for an aloe product to be able to print "juice" on the label, it must contain **AT LEAST 95% aloe vera.** After calling a local oncologist's office that recommends the brand, a chiropractor's office and an herbalist, they all verified this is true. A rip-off brand which looks and tastes like water will not be able to list "juice" on their label, it may say "drink" or something like that. I also spoke to Whole Foods...they are very particular about what they put on their shelves. According to them this is their personal trusted 100% aloe juice that tastes like water. George's is also organically grown, although this is not listed on their label. It takes 23 pounds of aloe leaf to make one gallon of George's aloe vera juice...and it is FDA approved as 100% aloe vera.

George's does not list that "International Aloe Science Council's Certification" on their label, because to list it they were going to be required to release their patented formula for making this juice..and they did not want other competitors to get their hands on it, so they refused it and it does not appear on their label.

George's has been around for 23 years and been recommended by many oncologists, chiropractors, and doctors in general. They are the oldest distributors of the juice that tastes like water. This information I received from Whole Foods, and the oncologist's office I spoke to.

Not trying to start a huge debate here..just letting you all know I did some serious research on this today, because hey it's my body too. :) I wanted to know what I was paying for and drinking. Even my urologist said he trusts George's over any other brand with a water taste. Whole Foods was adament that they would not purchase one of the "fakers" of aloe vera. Everyone I spoke to did acknowledge there are tons of companies out their promoting their water tasting aloe..but if you notice it will not say "juice" on the label..just aloe vera.

Anyway hope this helps some people. It sucks there are people ripping off people who are sick and needing relief, but after all I've researched, I personally don't believe George's is one of them.

I am personally up to about 8 oz. per day, and have definitely noticed it is keeping my IBS under control in big way. I've been more "regular", and my stomach hasn't been this quiet in years. I'm sorry you are not experiencing any relief with it...but then again I guess there are alot of IC'ers who only experience relief with the thicker gel. With any aloe all the companies state it can take up to a month of drinking it before you will feel any relief, regardless of the illness. But then again some IC'ers have stated the gel helped right away..so I guess that all comes down to personal response to the products.

:grouphug:

[ScottR]

ICPrincess:

I was told that the George's process seems to filter out many of the natural nutrients.
My physician said stay with the Aloe Gel for all of the reasons that have been mentioned.

As for the FDA, if you give them the power to close down George's they won't stop until they have all of your non pharmaceutical choices under their power. George's does have many arguments defending their process which seem very plausible to me and many others. Freedom of individual choice and the power of information (such as the article you pointed out) is an arsenal we still have at our hands but is diminishing rapidly. I don't want to have to go to the Dr. to get a prescription from phamaceutical company XYZ for Aloe Gel, which would probably be many times more than it is now. Medical is expensive enough.

Just another take on the FDA

Your article was very informative thanks.

[ScottR]

Jeanibug:
I to read most of the information a while back that you went over in your letter. I also wanted to make sure I new what I was putting in my body.
I think both the Georges and the Gel may be effective. It seems to depend on the individual. I tried both and the Gel seemed work the best for me.
You did reinforce my point that there is enough information out there on Aloe so that the consumer can make an informed choice on there own.

[massagedoula]

IC Princess,
Please know that the 'Real' Aloe gel also has citric acid too. All commercial aloes except the freeze dried like Desert Harvest or the water-tasting ones like George's do. They have to because they need to be preserved.

I tried the George's too, for about 2 months back when my IC started in Feb. At first I thought it helped but then stopped...it did not hurt me at all, but I did some research and found that while they are not diluting it with water, the process that they use to get the water taste distills the molecules and breaks the polysaccharide chains down into individual molecules. What I wanted from aloe was to be a sort of bladder coater, and for that I felt that I needed the whole chain. I do want to say that the George's helped me immensely with the nausea I had for many years. It just did not help my bladder.

So far I have not found an aloe product I feel comfortable with. I am unsure if the citric acid in the Lily of the Desert makes me flare, I have used it on many days and sometimes flare and sometimes not. The Desert Harvest makes my frequency go up, but I really think that it is a worth while product, so I hope to be able to use it sucessfully one day...

[ICPrincess]

Thank you guys for your responses. I think I am going back to the gel here. I am honestly glad that George's did well for some of you. I only wish I felt the same about the product. I know what my gut is telling me on this and it's not good. I guess I'll hold my nose and drink the gel down and just be done with it. I wish there was a true gel without the acid but I guess its needed to keep it alive and fresh for us. :)

[massagedoula]

I tried to take one cap of the Desert Harvest today instead of the lily of the desert gel, and now I have the same reaction as when I took it previously...my frequency is off the wall. I can barely sit in front of the computer. I guess I will go back to the lily of the desert and hope that the citric acid is not going to hurt my urinary tract. I have gotten rid of all my other symptoms (burning and pain) but cannot get rid of my frequency and urgency. I fear it is getting worse. Right now I am only taking Cystoprotek and experiementing with Aloe (forms and brands) and MSM. I may ask my uro if I can try Ditropan, though I hate the idea of it....I just cannot deal with this conatant needing to pee feeling and waking up all night to go....

[ellienor]

Hi Doula.
I have an idea.
Try a DH aloe with a prelief.
Just to see .
JUst an idea.
Maybe pop a coral calcuim with it too.
Ellie

See my post on L arginine

[massagedoula]

Thanks Ellie,
I took L-Argenine for about a week but stopped after I read about it activating the cold sore virus. I have been thinking recently about trying it again, as I did not have any bad effects from it, but don't really like the idea of getting cold sores again, I had 2 very nasty bouts with them a few years back...I have scars on my lip...

Still, it seems that maybe it is the only natural remedy for frequency. Right now frequency and urgency are pretty much my only problems but they are huge problems and the cystoprotek is not getting rid of them as of yet....

I read that you had a problem with DH aloe too? Did taking the prelief help?

If my message box is full or I am not on the boards a lot it is because I am still in England for a few more days. I only can check my email at night when everyone at my in-laws is asleep....

[mags]

I tried to take one cap of the Desert Harvest today instead of the lily of the desert gel, and now I have the same reaction as when I took it previously...my frequency is off the wall. I can barely sit in front of the computer. I guess I will go back to the lily of the desert and hope that the citric acid is not going to hurt my urinary tract. I have gotten rid of all my other symptoms (burning and pain) but cannot get rid of my frequency and urgency. I fear it is getting worse. Right now I am only taking Cystoprotek and experiementing with Aloe (forms and brands) and MSM. I may ask my uro if I can try Ditropan, though I hate the idea of it....I just cannot deal with this conatant needing to pee feeling and waking up all night to go....

I too have a problem with the frequency that i cannot seem to get rid of!! Let me know if you find something!

[ellienor]

Heck, i am in another flair,, only this time it is not as mild as the others.
I am embarrssed to say that i once again tried 1/2 of a b-vitiman. What an idiot. :bonk:
Never again. I gave them away.
now the flair is 2 days old.
I went thru my 2 month food diary and i must say i have done a great job.
I have now marked my recovery and flair days to see exactly what caused what.
I am on my " know for sure does not bother me" diet.
I also took 1/2 atarax and 1/2 eleval again with dinner.
Last time, white rice really helped, so i made that too, with lamb..
After i am thru this one and flair -FREE for 2 weeks, i will try the DH aloe with a prelief.
my stomach is better now.. so i actually took 4 Protecks today!!
That is good,, plus i am taking 3 500 mg of L-arginine and 3 CystaQ per day.
Some thing should happen soon. A hot bath with a comphry ball helps at night.
Man oh man..
How are you?
You could get some zoverax cream, and the minute you feel a cold sore coming on, you put this on. It will take it away right away. To take the ARginine.