New here.... major flare

[wyogirl]

I just joined. I was diagnosed with IC in December 2005 but have had symptoms for a good 6-7 years.

I have never discussed my problems with another sufferer and so I'm not sure if my symptoms are similiar to others.

Right now I have a horrible flare up. I get them atleast 1-2 times a month for a good week. My flare ups burn so bad its like a match is in my urethra. I don't mean to be gross. It's unbearable. Is this what it is like for others? I just wonder if my symptoms are normal.

I just called a homeopath who does bioscan and am waiting for a return call.
Does anyone use homeopathy for relief?
During flare ups I take prelief but it really doesn't last long. I can not pinpoint what starts my flare ups.

I would like to hear what works for you.
Thanks,
-k

[SharonA]

During flare ups I take prelief but it really doesn't last long. I can not pinpoint what starts my flare ups.

Hello and :welcome: to the ICN.

Have you looked at the IC Diet which is available here? If not, you can find it in the Patient Handbook. You can scroll to the top of this page and click on the link. The diet will help you to find what foods/drinks might trigger your symptoms. Many of us here have used this diet to do just that.

My symptoms usually are burning in the bladder and urethra. Yes, I would describe them the same way you did yours. I pretty much have them under control by using the knowledge found in the IC Diet, plus I take 25mg of Elavil once a day, in the early evening. I am always aware of my bladder, but mostly live a normal life. I find that stress is my major trigger along with acidic foods/drinks like citrus. Even with taking Prelief, I stay away from those things.

:) :) :)

[Dixiefireball]

Yes my symptoms are some what like yours too. what i do that helps my flare ups is i use heparin and marcaine rescue installments at home. (Dr offices can give these treatments) I also use two types of pain medicine, heating pad or an ice pack. If i know my flare up came from foods I can take a reg. fav. tums or drink a eight oz glass of water with one tsp of baking soda. (gross and very nasty tasting. drink quickly if you can) I like using an ice pack in the summer heating pad in the winter, but if one don't work I will reach for the other. You can find many diff. methods listed here on the site that others use to control their symptoms and flare issues.
Have you been tested for a real UTI? normally that is one thing that will set me off. (i get recurring UTI's at least once a month I'm the odd ball around here with real UTI's)

I hope you find something that will help you. Your not an odd ball hon. your symptoms is are very normal for us icers.

I'm glad you found us. you found a great place where people do understand and most importantly care for one another.

please keep us posted on how you are.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[Katrina]

:welcome: to the ICN.

The alternative board may be a better place to ask about homeopathic treatment. I don't normally like homeopathic treatments for IC because they usually use multiple herbs in one treatment and most IC patients have a problem with allerigic reactions in their bladder and if you take multiple things at once you have no idea what in it you reacted to. In theory I love it though. There are many IC patients using alternative treatments though. Few use just homeopathy but you may be able to find someone on the alternative board.
http://www.remedyfind.com/newsletter_archives/Jan alternative start for IC

I do think a good starting point is the diet!!!

Burning is often because of acidic urine, yeast (and many have yeast without the normal symptsoms), Pelvic Floor Dysfunciton (PFD), or nerve pain. If stress is trigger or excercise....it is those muscles tightening up (PFD).

Your symptoms are certainly not abnormal around here.

I hope to see you post on the alternative board. I hope you find the path to relief that works out for you!!
:grouphug:

[wyogirl]

Flare still here. Exceptionally bad urgency/frequency which normally isn't too big of a problem (but still a problem). Decided to do a UA. Uro just called and suprise suprise .... it's positive! Now i start antibiotics. It's always hard to tell what is a flare and what is a darn UTI. By the time I realize it isn't a flare because it is lasting so long the UTI has gotten worse. UGHHHHH.
On a lighter note..... I hope everyone has a good weekend.

[SandyRN]

:welcome: to the board. You sound like most of us. We can't tell if it's a flare or a UTI because the symptoms are so much alike.

You've gotten great advice already and like Katrina said, it's important to only try one thing at a time to see how you respond to it. If you take a bunch of new herbs, or meds at once, and you flare, you'll never know which one caused the problems.

Nice to meet you...and know you're in good company here.

Sandy

[Katrina]

:grouphug: In the beginning I sugest you have some home uti test kits and get cultures when your concerned because those UTI's can do dammaged to an dammaged bladder if they get the chance. Luckily as time goes on I do think it gets easier to tell the difference between a flare and a uti for most. Journaling and recognizing your flare triggers so helps with that....than there are some symptoms of a flare that are more common with UTI's like burning, blood, fever, and other things.

Since previously you were interested in homeopathic treatment....you don't want to do the normal cranberry juice ofcourse but garlic, pears, Marshmallow root, UvaUrsi, Motherwort may help.

Hope you feel better soon!

[Trishann]

Hi, sound like people already gave you good advice. By doing different things you will know what will work for you, and what will not work out for you. So many things I had learned just by reading what people posted on the board. No one gave me this kind of information, not even doctors, where I can help myself and what might cause major flare-ups. Hope you can find ways to help your bladder to be better.