An unexpected flare

[isles]

Good evening.

Some of you may remember me, I joined in October of 05 when I self-diagnosed myself with IC and later it was confirmed by a doctor. The last time I was here was "11-21-2005" and that is a reminder to me of the faithfulness of God because in 2006 I had maybe four flares throughout the year compared to the 28-30 I had in 2005. Praise God!

Unfortunately I've been experiencing an extreme kind of flare for the last few days. I'm definitely prayerful but not sure what I'm doing wrong. In 06, I completed changed my lifestyle; diet, clothing etc. I rarely drink anything other than water and chamomile tea; I don't eat spices or a lot of fried stuff. Even when I eat out, I eat mild things. I know I'm not perfect at the IC diet because I haven't formally gone through an elimination process but I am aware of some triggers and work on them.

I'm in so much pain right now. I've just been pacing my living room floor. I feel tired and just hopeless. I know that this is just temporary and that God is working on healing my body but I just don't know how to physically control the pain. I've been to the bathroom twice in the last twenty minutes; the urgency gone down a little now but it's still there. I am really burning a lot and I just don't know how to manage the pain. I use a water bottle for when I do go to the bathroom and it helped a little but as soon as I got up and started walking around, I was in pain again.

I know my situation is probably not nearly as warranted-for-this-late-attention than some of you but I'm just in so much pain and I'm confused because I haven't done anything "unusual" in the last few days yet it's been getting progressively worse.

Thanks for hearing me vent. God bless.

Ayla

[jjt001]

I had been doing well up through Christmas (which I'm grateful for, believe me!), but when we got home from our Christmas vacation I had a few horrible days of flare -- I'm not sure if it's because I didn't drink enough water on the day of the plane trip so that I wouldn't end up with horrible urgency on the plane (it's happened a lot) or if there is even some allergy involved since I was in cold snowy weather and came back to a more temperate climate... anyway, I don't know what happened but I was in a ton of pain.

One night when the pain was particularly bad I drank a lot of water and took a Urised, then later a Pyridium (sometimes it helps me to alternate them). I took a hot bath and sat in there for a long time, refilling with hot water as it cooled down. I then went to bed with my "bed buddy" (microwavable heat wrap). It really helped the immediate pain. Does heat help you? If so, a hot bath might really help you out -- as my doctor said, the hot water can get into places that a heating pad cannot!

I hope you feel better soon, I'm sorry for your flare. I know how tough it is.

[ICNDonna]

You really should check in with your doctor if you're not feeling better this morning. You just might have an infection working.

Donna

[tigger_gal]

sorry you are in pain.. I would think it is a good idea to give your doctor a call too.

[amartaingirl]

did you eat any peanuts?
liquor?
they seem to mess me up pretty good.

My suggestions
Lots of of water.
pee it out, girl

get a TIVO.
then you can pause Live TV...as you run to the bathroom :)

please know that it will pass

[vm]

I wondered about a UTI, as well. Worth checking out. :kissing:

[isles]

Thanks for all your support. Thank God the pain subsided by 6am this morning and plenty of time with the heating pad.

Do all of you get UTI's when you're experiencing a flare? I just wonder what is going on with my body. I was put on a mild antibiotic which I stopped taking in 06 because I only had 4 flares that did not turn into infections and I felt like I was getting better. I guess I'm trying to understand the relationship between a flare and a UTI. I know all the symptoms of a flare are similar to that of a UTI; when can you discern between the two?

I took some strong painkillers these last few days and took some anti-bioticss too. I've been drinking a lot of water too although I read somewhere that a lot of water at once is not good and that you should drink only a little at a time; I probably should have gone with my gut and just guzzled and guzzled because in the past 'peeing it all out' has helped me. The pain was just incredibly severe. I've set up an appointment with my doctor for Friday. I have just been feeling so raw like someone is constantly stabbing me there. Tried cold water/air/ice. The heating pad was what worked the best.

Thanks for the encouragement and concern. I appreciate all of you so much. While I was up late last night, reading the forums/responses to my thread was very encouraging and made time go by quicker.

Much love:angel:

[isles]

did you eat any peanuts?
liquor?
they seem to mess me up pretty good.


Nope, no peanuts or liquor. I haven't had either in a couple of years now. I don't drink any type of caffeine either. I think I just haven't been drinking 'as much' water as I should. I drink Liptons caffeine-free 'Quietly Chamomile' tea which I haven't had any problems with so far. I have to admit though I haven't spent a lot of time with an 'elimination' diet and since 06 was pretty much pain-free thank the Lord, I took for granted that most foods were okay; maybe I was wrong.

[isles]

The pain has been on and off. During the day I feel great; able to pee without any burning or discomfort. As evening approaches, it gets worse. I've been drinking water, taking painkillers and using my heating pad and it's been helping but somehow it's really going back and forth. The burning is really bad. I don't know what else I can do to bring that down.

[amartaingirl]

Mix 1 tsp baking soda...with a glass of water and drink it
it helps me..alot

[isles]

Mix 1 tsp baking soda...with a glass of water and drink it
it helps me..alot

I tried bathing in two tbsp (approx) baking soda in water and it helped a lot. I've done part milk, part water with baking soda in it and it does help but the results are slow and the mixture is nasty!!! I know I know, a little distaste for a lot of comfort is not too much to do. :loco: