New to IC, a few questions..

[webqueen79]

I have been having pain since March of this year, and my Urologist just diagnosed me with IC. I have a few questions for anyone that can help.

1. Will the bladder stretching help with the pain. Is it worth it?

2. I was fine for about 3 weeks and then all of the sudden on Thursday night, I had a major flare-up at 11:00 pm. Then the next day I was feeling better, and again it flared up last night. (I did eat Mexican food on Thursday, so it might have been because of that) I am wondering how long the flare-ups usually last and does anyone else have it really bad at night?

3. Does changing the diet really help that much?

4. What are some good ideas for snacks, and small meals?

5. What can I do to help ease the pain when I have flare-ups?

Thank you,
Amy

[VickiB]

Hi Amy! Welcome to ICN! I'm sorry you've been diagnosed with IC, but hopefully you're now on the road to feeling better!

1. Will the bladder stretching help with the pain. Is it worth it?
I've never done this, but someone will likely be along soon to share their thoughts on this.

2. I was fine for about 3 weeks and then all of the sudden on Thursday night, I had a major flare-up at 11:00 pm. Then the next day I was feeling better, and again it flared up last night. (I did eat Mexican food on Thursday, so it might have been because of that) I am wondering how long the flare-ups usually last and does anyone else have it really bad at night?
Duration of flares seems to vary from one person to the next. For me, a flare caused by food typically means 8 to 10 hours of climbing the walls, followed by a day or two of irritation. I have had non-food initiated flares last for weeks. Yes, and evenings seem to be the worst! Perhaps because of the accumulation of daytime activity playing a role?

3. Does changing the diet really help that much?
For me, definitely! Changing my diet was the one most important thing I did to get control over my IC.

4. What are some good ideas for snacks, and small meals?
Many veggies make for good snacks. Crackers, a bowl of cottage cheese, pears. If you haven't found the IC diet list, it's in the handbook at:
http://ic-network.com/handbook

5. What can I do to help ease the pain when I have flare-ups?
There are lots of tricks, and hopefully Katrina will be along soon with her link to a list of things to try. My first line of defense is to drink lots of water (un-treated) to flush out the bladder and keep the urine from becoming too concentrated. Drinking baking soda in water (I like 1/2 teaspoon to a glass) seems to help neutralize the acid. This may not be a good idea for you if your diet is sodium restricted though. Azo Standard or Uristat OTC have helped me through some really rough times. A spray bottle full of cool water is great for rinsing after urinating if you're getting the burn thing. Heating pads, or ice packs can be helpful.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of tricks and ideas to try from others soon. I sure hope you find some things that will bring you relief!

Vicki

[ICNDonna]

1. Will the bladder stretching help with the pain. Is it worth it?
I HAVE READ THAT HYDRODISTENTION HELPS IN ABOUT 50% OF CASES. I AM ONE WHO HAS RELIEF FROM THIS PROCEDURE.

2. I was fine for about 3 weeks and then all of the sudden on Thursday night, I had a major flare-up at 11:00 pm. Then the next day I was feeling better, and again it flared up last night. (I did eat Mexican food on Thursday, so it might have been because of that) I am wondering how long the flare-ups usually last and does anyone else have it really bad at night?
IT COULD VERY WELL BE THE MEXICAN FOOD --- IT'S VERY SPICY, PLUS USUALLY HAS LOTS OF TOMATO. I TRY NOT TO EAT A TRIGGER FOOD, BUT WHEN I DO, I TRY TO DRINK MORE WATER THAN USUAL, USE MY HEAT PAD, AND REST. IT WILL USUALLY GO AWAY IN A DAY OR TWO.

3. Does changing the diet really help that much? ABSOLUTELY!

4. What are some good ideas for snacks, and small meals?
PEARS, BLUEBERRIES, ICE CREAM, CRACKERS --- THERE ARE LOTS OF THEM.

5. What can I do to help ease the pain when I have flare-ups?
I USUALLY TAKE ANTISPASMODICS AND PAIN MEDICATIONS IF IT REALLY GETS BAD.

I agree that the handbook is an excellent resource.

Donna

[webqueen79]

Thank you for the comments. I appreciate the advice.

Amy

[traceann]

Hi Amy and :welcome: to the boards!! Glad you found us, you have definitely come to the right place! :biglaugh:

1. Will the bladder stretching help with the pain. Is it worth it?

I personally have not had this done, but as you have read, it does seem to help some ICers.

2. I was fine for about 3 weeks and then all of the sudden on Thursday night, I had a major flare-up at 11:00 pm. Then the next day I was feeling better, and again it flared up last night. (I did eat Mexican food on Thursday, so it might have been because of that) I am wondering how long the flare-ups usually last and does anyone else have it really bad at night?

Yep, again could definitely have been the Mexican food! :) For me, the flare-ups vary in duration. Sometimes only a few minutes, to a few hours to a few days, just depends I suppose on what kind of mood the bladder is in. :headbang: In the beginning, right when I was diagnosed (we all pretty much agree that's the worst time, as you are feeling yucky and just starting to get treatment) I would have nights where I was up every hour to pee. It was awful, no sleep, bladder pain, frequency/urgency feeling, just horrible. But happy to report that now, as I will have been on my combo of meds a year in Nov, I now maybe get up once a night to pee, and my tolerance of foods has increased dramatically. My heating pad was invaluable to me, it helped me many a night to get some sleep, maybe not a full night's sleep, but enough to help!

3. Does changing the diet really help that much?

For me also, it made a HUGE difference in how I felt! As I said above, I was very diet sensitive, but now after finding a good med combo for me, I am becoming much less sensitive to foods.

4. What are some good ideas for snacks, and small meals?

Hmmm, in the beginning, I stuck with bagels (without soy flour as commonly found in the "low-carb" foods) and cream cheese, cottage cheese, veggies, dips made by blending cottage cheese, a bit of milk and whatever herbs I was in the mood for (garlic, dill, etc) some salt in a blender and using it for a veggie dip or thinning more and using as a salad dressing. Roasted red peppers became something I was never without. I made my own at home, as most of the prepared ones in the grocery store have preservatives and acids in them. They worked great blended in a blender with olive oil and herbs to be used as a "red sauce" on homemade pizzas or pasta. Really good to use that plus some cream for a yummy sauce for pasta. I can't forget Lay's regular plain potato chips! Thank goodness for them! Also good dipped in the cottage cheese dip. Nuts do not bother me, so I always have cashews, almonds etc on hand. And I can do peanut butter, so I buy (always have) the Smucker's Natural, no additives, just peanuts. Black olives are great too. Here's a link right to the diet list of foods, I used to take it right to the grocery store with me, now, it's just second nature...

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/diet.html


5. What can I do to help ease the pain when I have flare-ups?

I use my heating pad, it's become my best friend! Also, I love the Thermacare Heat Patches, they are great for sleep or travel! You can try the baking soda in water like Vicki said, it's a tsp in a big glass, tastes yucky, but helps. Tums also work well in the same manner.Then there's the OTC Pyridium meds that she told you about, AZO Standard and Uristat. They numb up your bladder/urethra and help with pain/urgency and frequency. The do make you pee orange and can stain undies, and aren't meant for long term use, days in a row. I think they recommend 2 days on the box. I talked to my doc about a safe dosing for me. You can also use Prelief tablets. They are taken right before you eat, and reduce the acid in foods. I get mine at Rite Aid. I am never ever with out them. I keep some in my purse for eating out occasions. Love the stuff, it's allowed me a bit more diet freedom. Then there's always pain meds if nothing else is working. But for me, I can usually ease the pain/discomfort by using the above tools and can skip having to reach for the pain meds. :)

Hope this helps a little bit!! And again, welcome! One more tip, the diet board was a huge help to me, always some great food ideas and a great place to ask questions about foods, etc.

Hugs!

[trytosmile]

Hi Amy, Welcome to the group.

You've received some great advice.

1. Will the bladder stretching help with the pain. Is it worth it?

I have had the bladder stretch done and unfortunately it didn't help me at all. That been said that is my experience and everybody is different, may work for you. Not going to lie, it was very painful.

2. I was fine for about 3 weeks and then all of the sudden on Thursday night, I had a major flare-up at 11:00 pm. Then the next day I was feeling better, and again it flared up last night. (I did eat Mexican food on Thursday, so it might have been because of that) I am wondering how long the flare-ups usually last and does anyone else have it really bad at night?

Yup, my guess is the Mexican food. I can't even touch the stuff. Diet is a major role in managing my IC. I have my no/maybe/yes list at my side all the time. Also there is a mitt full of foods that I can eat sometimes and then other times they bother me, banana's are the biggie. Length of flare times, it varies. I've had them for hours and some for weeks. Night time doesn't appear to be a bad time for me.

3. Does changing the diet really help that much?

Yes diet is a huge factor for me. As soon as I "fall of the wagon" the problems begin.

4. What are some good ideas for snacks, and small meals?

I eat alot of veggies for snacks and blueberries. I'm also ok with vanilla yogart and cottage cheese. Boring eh ?

5. What can I do to help ease the pain when I have flare-ups?

Screaming, yelling, swearing this works for me...lol. No serious, warm baths with epson salt, heating pad, Thermacare Heat Patches, staying calm and relaxed. I do alot of meditation and light yoga stretching. Helps relax the muscles in the bladder area. I have alot of spasms during flares. I also (thanks to Tracey's recommendation) have a bottle of water in the freezer for "down there". When the pain is really bad after voiding, kinda numbs it until the pain goes away.

Hope this helps. Check out the website Tracey has given you. Wealth of information.