Spirulina

[Silverfern]

After talking with someone at my local Health Store about not being able to take any vitamin/mineral supplements and being on a very restricted diet, she suggested to me to try spirulina. I was wondering whether anyone's tried it and if it affected their bladder. I started taking a small dose about a week ago and have had some bladder irritation but not sure if it's the spirulina, something else or me being slightly paranoid, which I do tend to get when I try something new. :) Spirulina is a wonder food containing so many valuable nutrients that I would love to be able to take it.

Thanks for any input.

[ICNDonna]

Spirulina is one of the supplements that is marketed for everything from weight control to nutrition. I have some concern about taking it on a long term basis. Have you tried taking children's vitamins? Some ICers find they don't cause irritation.

Donna

[ellienor]

It is a very good food.
If vegies dont bother you it should not.
but start out very slowly and work up.
Have you tried marshmallow root tea in the morning to coat the bladder?

[Silverfern]

Thanks guys! :angel:

Unfortunately my stomach can't tolerate any form of 'synthetic' vitamin/mineral supplement, including childrens.

I've stopped taking the spirulina as my bladder was really irritated yesterday and I have to suspect it might be that. I'll leave it off for a few days and then try again.

What with one thing and another life is really really frustrating at the moment. Do you often think it would be nice if something, just some small thing, actually worked for you instead of against you? Grrr....:cussing: Sorry just venting here.

Hugs

[ellienor]

well, if I can get better,anyone can.- I hope.
I am 95% better after a year of discomfort.
I never took elmeron.
Only 2 mg elavil per day, which I have been off of for a month.
I think estrogen cream ( age 55 ) helped me, and the book:
a headache in the pelvis.
prayers for you

[ellienor]

If you have stomach problems, try
colostrum, almond milk, noni juice, and drinking warm smoothies.
Sweet potatoes and baked potatoes, spelt bread, eggs, - no meat for a while.
My stomach is better eating these things and very small meals.
Oatmeal is good too. - eat it soupy and warm.
eg

[Silverfern]

Thanks a lot Ellienor! :kiss:

[ICNDonna]

Be cautious with the oatmeal until you know for sure it won't irritate --- some ICers find it to be a trigger food.

Donna

[Silverfern]

Thanks Donna! Unfortunately my stomach won't tolerate oatmeal anyway so don't have to worry about my bladder.

Hugs

[Cheries]

I'm surprised nobody has posted much about the spirulina. I used it years ago specifically FOR bladder pain as it was supposed to coat the bladder. In fact, it was toted as a natural elmiron of sorts. I knew of a few patients in my support group who were helped tremendously by it. I used it (3 times a day on an empty stomach)for a few years and I think it helped somewhat as I was not on pain management at the time. After I had my baby for some reason I could not tolerate it with my intestines. I may try it again. Also, make sure you are taking the right brand. I can't recall the name, but I think it was "nataure's own" or something like that. They are not all alike.

[Raelyn]

I used spirulina for quite a while when I was trying to switch my body from an acid condition to an alkaline condition. Because it is a concentrated green food it is very alkaline which I believe helped my IC. However, with an inflamed bladder, which most of us have, we experience pain and frequency when the urine becomes to alkaline. I used a pH test tape from my health food store to test the urine and it is almost impossible to do the acid/alkaline balance without the test tape. I believe the alkaline foods improved my IC but initially there is a lot of pain and frequency until the inflammation is down in the bladder. Cabbage is also a food that makes the urine alkaline in a hurry. If you become over alkaline eat a little IC safe acid food. Initially I tested my urine every time I went to the bathroom trying to keep it in the normal (7) range.

[ICNDonna]

Urine should not be alkaline --- alkaline urine is extremely susceptible to infection. Instead it should be slightly acidic. When the urine tests alkaline, it almost always indicates there is infection present.

Donna

[Silverfern]

Very interesting Donna! I was only taking a tiny quantity of it anyway so there was never a problem of my acid/alkaline balance being affected much by it. I still haven't started taking it again as my bladder is reasonably quiet at the moment and I don't want to tickle anything up! I hate rocking the boat!

Thanks for everyone's input on this subject. :grouphug:

[Raelyn]

There are differing opinions of course on acid/alkaline levels. When I was in the acid range 5.5 - 6 etc., I was in IC misery. Now in the 7 range I would say my condition is normal. Urinate every 3 to 5 hours, 12 to 20 ounces at a time. I have not had enough courage to try grapefruit, and raw onions but I do eat oranges and all other fruits, and tomatoes. I do not eat processed foods but prepare my own food and enjoy coffee now periodically. As far as infections go I have not had the flu or a sore throat etc. for years. My diet probably had much to do with my getting IC as I lived on coffee all day long, ate a lot of sugar, meat, etc. which are acid foods. I hope not to get back to that way of eating again.

[Paininthe*.*]

Raelyn, I'm interested how to alkalize. My urine tests around 5.2. What have you found are the best foods to eat to alkalize? You mentioned cabbage and spirulina. What else have you had success with? The online sites are very confusing as to what is actually alkalizing, and what a person with IC is safe eating. Thanks for any info you have!