Travel and symptoms of IC

[Allylou]

Not sure if this is the right spot to post my inquiry...I recently went ot Cuba with friends for a week. And I never felt better..my IC subsided almost completely! It was amazing, but now baffling. I broke every IC rule I have held onto the last 8 months...EVERY DAY, I ate citrus fruit, drank fruit juices I drank alcohol, I drank fruit slushies, colas, carbonated and mixed drinks, tea.I ate everything I eat at home...but had barely any discomfort in the bladder! So, any similar stories? Any guesses on what's contributing to this? My thoughts...perhaps the water...maybe the purification process is lacking something that they use in my home town (eg less chorline) or maybe its a lack of perservatives in their food. any tips on how I can bring that feeling home?
For now, I am trying something I have never tried...no water from the taps at home, work, restaurants...no coffee for Tim Hortons, no fountain pops or water from restaurants. Everything I am going to drink is coming from outside of my town.

Perhaps, maybe, just maybe, its the answer.

Any feedback or similar experiences??

[kadi]

Wow. How fabulous you could take a vacation & leave your IC behind!
Unfortunately, mine comes with me wherever I go...

So glad you had that break!!!
They say 50% of IC patients go into remission, maybe that will happen to you:)

[Mrs. Burschman]

Allylou,

I always feel better on vacations because then I'm not sitting so much (I have a desk job.) Sitting has always made my pain worse.

Amy (Mrs. B) :bunny:

[icnmgrjill]

Don't know what to say... it's just weird. I would be terrified to do what you did... because I have gotten much much more ill travelling with my IC.

[Silverfern]

I don't know what to say either! :hmm: I guess maybe stress could be a factor if you were really stressed before you went! Perhaps being in a different environment with so much going on and not focusing on your bladder at all made a difference.....who knows! Wish I could say that'd work for me but I know it doesn't unfortunately. Whatever it was though, I'm glad you had an "IC free" holiday. May there be many more ahead of you.

Hugs

[ICNDonna]

I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation, but I also would be terrified to go off my diet, especially on a vacation --- I'd be too afraid I'd flare (I almost definitely would) and totally ruin a wonderful vacation.

Donna

[Sarojini]

So glad it sounds like you're in remission!! :grouphug:

I don't know what to say either. That stuff would've made me flare like crazy, but I'm glad you got to do it!! :)

[vm]

My brother was very, very ill when he was young. Horrible headaches and stomachaches constantly. He was out of school for at least a year as a a result. We live in a very industrial area - lots of chemical companies spouting stuff out into the air and water. Funny thing was - whenever he went to the beach or to upstate New York - Adirondacks area - he was FINE.

[Allylou]

thanks youall for taking the time to give your thoughts...such a mystery.
As for leaving stress behind, its hard to imagine that being it. I am not overly stressed out...Actually, I was probably more anxious than normal right before leaving (and on my way there) as I was afraid to be a pain to my girlfriends, always going to the loo, or annoying on plane; basically IC ruining my trip was on the brain!
Anyhow, my avoidance of local water doesn't seem to be helping.
back to the urologist next week...time to take next steps I guess.

[Silverfern]

Just a little side issue here.

Many years ago I suffered terribly from really dry eyes, so bad that I ended up in hospital twice with ripped corneas (no fun at all I can tell you). Around this time my hubby and I had booked a holiday to Hawaii for 10 days and I remember at the time being so scared to go away in case my eyes 'ripped' again. My eye specialist was very concerned as well, and he sent me off with a comprehensive letter should I get in trouble while I was away. Anyway off we went and had a wonderful holiday and my eyes were great. Hardly any dryness and no signs of ripping. Came home, within a few days I was as bad as ever again. Fast forward a couple of years and I found I was allergic to my cats and it was then that the penny dropped that it was being away from them that eased my eye symptoms. I would never have guessed that in a million years at the time though.

My point is that when we go on holiday we're away from our normal environment which could hold something that we're allergic or sensitive too. I'm not saying for a minute that that's why your IC was so wonderful while you were away, but it's something worth considering!

All the best.

[ICB]

:woohoo: I'm glad to hear you had a great vacation! Another possibility for your good fortune is that many patients are able to reintroduce "no-no" foods/drinks back into their diet, once they get their IC symptoms under control with their treatment regimen.

Best wishes, ICB :flower:

[Vampireness]

Allylou - You've not tried any medication at all? It is rather strange, but it's something you should look into, like what you eat over here and there.....Flares take time to happen sometimes. Your surroundings, could they be it? But it's good to hear you had an awesome vacation.