It's a pain in the ????

[colinmac]

My question is when people stick to their diet and don't get flare ups. Are they completely pain free when they are not having flare ups or have they moderate pain between flares?

[meme]

If I watch what I eat really carefully and take my meds I can usually have a few completely pain free days. The last few days I have had zero pain, and almost forgot how bad it can feel, then I ate a few chocolate chip cookies, and it's reminded me why I stick to the diet-there wasn't even that much chocolate in them, but its letting me know it now! I have a mild case, and am hoping that once I see my Uro Tuesday and up some of my meds, that with that and sticking completely to the diet I will be pain and flare free. I believe that it is possible, you just have to really watch yourself and find what works for you. Never lose hope!

[VickiB]

I used to be in awful pain for weeks on end, with a week off, then right back to pain again before diet & meds. Now, as long as I stay on the straight & narrow I am pain-free. I still do experience those rare flares where I can't figure out what I did to deserve them, -maybe 3 a year, but they're short lived. I also have what I'd describe as a slightly bruised type feeling in my bladder most days, but it's barely noticeable. I also use the bathroom more than a "normal" person does. While these symptoms might bother someone without IC, I suppose I compare them with what my bladder used to feel like, and it's a walk in the park!

When I cheat on the diet I go right back to the old days.

Vicki

[kadi]

The diet alone is not enough to manage my IC. Sometimes I am very close to pain free, other times I have daily discomfort. What I do know for sure is that if I don't stay on the diet, I am guaranteed very bad days.