what do you do if

[PlainJane]

What do you do if you have to take a supplement that may be causing your symptoms to worsen? I have to take a specific vitamin-mineral supplement that contains vitamin c. Do most people find this makes their symptoms worse or is it just the vitamin c in juices?

Thanks

[massagedoula]

Yes, your suppliment could definetely be making it worse. Vitamin C in pure ascorbic acid form is a real bladder irritant. Many people use buffered or ester-C forms of C (called calcium ascorbate) but many others cannot even handle that until their IC is more under control, or sometimes never. I couldn't do any C in the beginning, but now a year later I can take Buffered C (calcium ascorbate) once every 2-3 days and I won't flare. I would strongly recommend that you change or discontinue your suppliment if you can.

[PlainJane]

Hi,

Thanks for answering my question. Unfortunately I cannot discontinue the supplement as it's the thing that keeps my bipolar disorder under control. I also have to take additional vitamin C because I have a deficiency of vitamin C (for this I take Ester-C. Two grams/day).

Erica

[massagedoula]

Do they make it in another form with ester-c or buffered C? Can you take all the components seperately EXCEPT the C? Do you see a naturopath? Maybe her or him can help you tailor your suppliment to your needs.

[PlainJane]

Unfortunately the supplement all comes in one pill and I can't seperate the vitamin C. I do see a naturopath but he thinks I should stay on the supplement as it's the only thing that's helped me. I would be curious to see if my bladder felt any different off the supplement but I can't stop taking it.

When people have allergic reactions to food or supplements how long does it usually take before the bladder reacts? I suppose it is different for everyone.

Erica

[massagedoula]

You are right about that. It is different for everyone and even for the same person. If I eat sugar I will start flaring within abot 15 minutes. If I eat something or take a pill that contains too much acid, it will usually take 2-3 hours. Some people report that it takes 24 or even 48 hours for the flare to start after eating something. When I have sex I feel totally fine afterwards but the next day it is agony (I know that is different but you get the point, I hope.) Is your naturopath familiar with IC? I ask because mine is and I just saw her today actually. We were talking about different Vitamin D and calcium suppliments and she was checking their ingredients to make sure they were safe for my bladder, because she understands that ascorbic acid and B vitamins will flare most IC bladders.

I understand that you have to keep taking it and it is your choice. Perhaps it is not even bothering you at all, but the only way to find out is if you stop it for a few days and see...but it makes sense that you wouldn't want to make your bipolar worse. It is a quandry.

[PlainJane]

Hi,

My naturopath doesn't seem to familiar with IC. He does specialize in bipolar disorder though. Thanks for your post.

Erica