New to the IC Diet

[javone77]

Hi. I was just diagnosed about 3 weeks ago and have been on the IC diet since Feb. 13th....with a few slip ups I didn't know about. However, I'd like to know if anyone has any advice for me. I have just recently started taking elmiron recently and stay in flare mode despite the diet. How can I tell if a food is causing me issue? I have an old copy of the diet. Does anyone know where I can find a newer copy? Thanks!

[traceann]

Hey there! Here's a link right to the IC Diet foods list here on the site, it was the biggest help to me! I printed it out and carried it everywhere, lol. :biglaugh: And it's very releavent:

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


It took me at least 3-4 weeks to get my bladder to finally feel like it was calming down. The diet alone didn't eradicate all symptoms, but it did make them much easier to deal with and control. (It might have even been a bit longer, but that's my best recollection, :) )

When I first started it I ate solely out of the "usually ok" list. That's where I stayed until it started to calm down. Once I had it stable for a week or so, then I started adding in one food at a time from the "may be ok" list, about 2-3 days apart. If I had an increase in symptoms, it went on my no-no list to be retried at a later date. (if it failed the second go around, it went on my permanent no-no list! ;) ) I always tried to give all the foods that bothered me on the initial try a second chance later on down the road - for example the first time I tried chamomile tea, it was horrible!!! But now, I have no problems with it. Certain things bothered me depending on where my bladder was at the time. The closer it was to the diagnosis time the more sensitive it was to everything.

The diet definitely is a bit restrictive feeling in the beginning, but that stage is fairly temporary. Once it's calmed down and you begin to reintroduce foods in, it gets a bit more lively, ;) And it's slow going in finding your trigger foods, but very very worth it. I have more things I found that I could eat, vs. the foods I can't eat! :)

I hope this helps a little bit!! And don't forget, ask any questions you need to or want to, we are always happy to help! The Diet and IC board is a huge help when it comes to diet issues, I practically lived there! :biglaugh:

Hugs,
:)

[javone77]

I'm just really confused. I was so upset about the whole list I was being given. everything I loved was on the list. getting a hamburger became more drama than it was worth. I had a weak moment and had a 3 cheese quesadilla that was spicy. For a while I was eating mustard having no idea it had vinegar because I never do mustard. So I think I set myself back by doing that. I just want to feel better.

[traceann]

I certainly understand how you feel, I felt exactly like you do. It's really frustrating in the beginning, and that's an understatement, ;) Really, the beginning of the diet is the hardest, I know it was for me, but it does get better as time goes by. And it was difficult to go out to eat - especially when it came to fast food-type places. Regular restaurants were much easier.

And don't worry, we have had our "weak moments" - mine was pasta with red sauce, I would eat really strictly all week long so I could have some pasta with about a tbsp of sauce on it on Sundays, once I had things calmed down - even though it would give me about an hour or two of urgency and frequency, it was worth it to me for my sanity, LMAO!!! I also viewed it eventually as an adventure and tried to never view it as a "forever" thing. I just kept telling myself it was temporary - and that attitude really helped suffer through the worst of it! I think it was just a minor set back, don't beat yourself up over it at all - we ALL do it!!! ;)

Like I said, if you have ANY questions keep on asking and posting!!! We will help you through it! ;)

Hugs!
:)

[javone77]

I will. I am just angry at this diet and angry at my first urologist who scarred me so badly I am deathly afraid of going to have rescue instillations done. No matter how much people tell me it isn't as painful.....I get hysterical and start to cry. My doctor thinks that prelief and diet should help me so I am assuming I have a mild case. but now I am taking elmiron by mouth and it is really slow.

[traceann]

Yes, the Elmiron can take up to 3 months to feel some difference and 6-12 to get the full benefits - but it can be very worth it! It really helped me tremendously. ;)

You are not alone in the anger department either, oh boy I certainly remember that!!!!! I was angry at everything involving IC, diet, lifestyle, feeling yucky etc. It was the whole package and then losing my favorite foods was just almost too much to take....

I am very sorry you had such a bad experience with the instills, that too would be understandable that you'd be gun-shy. I personally have never had them, I chose just to go it on oral meds and diet alone at first, and thankfully that's been working well for me. Prelief is a great product, it certainly allowed me to eat some things that would normally be off-limits for me.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Hugs,
:)