Male Newly Diagnosed...Wow...

[gelsasser]

So I've been reading your stories, and I'm not so sure I have ICN (even though my urologist said I have it)...my symptoms are so different. I could really use everyone's advice.

I am a 36 year old male and, if I DO have ICN, I've had it for about two years.

The reason I am unsure is the following:

1. I do not have pain at all.
2. I ONLY feel the need to use the restroom at night, but at some of the worst times, I've gone up to eight times a night. I am fine during the day.
3. The bladder "expansion" my urologist did, did nothing to help.

Currently, I am on Detrol once a day and Diclofenac (is anyone else on this?) twice a day. I have to take both Detrol and Diclofenac in order to only use the bathroom about three times a night. My other doctor had given me Lunesta to keep myself asleep, but it doesn't work anymore. In fact, I went off it and now have insomnia. Got to stay away from the sleeping aids. I am so exhausted from lack of sleep, I think at times I am going a little crazy...

I started the "diet" today, although, I have to admit, I haven't read where the diet has helped very many people, and it seems like EVERYTHING is off limits. But that is "okay," I'm trying it anyway. By the way, does anyone know if I can drink my protein shake while on the diet?

I have a follow up appt. (from the "expansion of the bladder) in a couple weeks. If nothing is better from the diet in two weeks, I'm going to get a second opinion.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for sharing all your stories,

Greg

[kuntrygurl78]

I am only slightly diet sensitive. I can count on one hand the things that bother me. But when I have them..they really bother me. The bother can be anything from more urgency/frequency problems to pain. At first I didnt believe in the diet either. The list is more of a guideline to follow. But for many of us, it was a starting place.

Have you had any "internal" testing done? Has your doc actually looked at your bladder or is he just basing your diagnosis on symptoms alone? If my diagnosis were based on symptoms alone, I probably wouldnt have been diagnosed so quickly.

I hope you find some answers.

And welcome to the ICN!:hi:

[gelsasser]

Yes, I was diagnosed when he did the bladder distentation...or whatever it is called.

Thanks for your help!

Greg

[theclownster]

Hi Greg! Welcome to the ICN. Sorry you have to be here. It sounds like you've been through a lot. IC is different for all of us here. Diet can be different for everyone, but I would say most of us definitely have some diet triggers. I am someone who is not very diet sensitive as a whole. However, I still have definite triggers - cranberry juice (OUCH!) - cranberry anything for that matter, coffee, hot chocolate, and a few others. Pop or carbonated beverages would probably be a huge no no for me to, but I haven't had any pop in over 16 years (prior to IC I stopped drinking it). I also have difficulties taking multi-vitamins and eating certain fruits. Having said all that, I still can eat most other things, but I think that is because I'm lucky. I can also eat a little more now that I've been regulated on medication for a few years. Before the medication, I was much more restricted.

OH, I almost forgot - water can be a huge trigger for me. I love water and drink lots and lots of it. Yet, I have to be careful what kind I drink. Tap water in big quantities can be irritating due to the chemicals they use to sanitize it (purify it) so it's okay to drink. I drink bottled water, but I definitely have to watch what brands I drink. I can drink plain spring water, but I can not drink any of the one that have "added minerals to enhance taste". You often have to read the very fine print to see that they have added minerals. The added minerals really hurt my bladder. Dasani is one of the worst ones for me. I can never drink that - it's not worth it because I feel awful afterwards. It also helps me to drink lots and lots of water. Sounds strange I know, like it might make me have more frequent trips to the restroom, but it actually helps.

In terms of your protein shakes, I think it depends on what kind of protein shake it is. If it's loaded up with vitamins, it might not be the best choice. However, If it's just strictly protein, it might be okay. I started a diet last week and I'm drinking 100% whey protein shakes. They seem to be fine with my IC. I'm drinking 2 a day and haven't noticed any huge difference in my IC symptoms. It may be different for you as we are all different.

I hope this helps. Good luck finding relief for your symptoms. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Take care,
Jennifer

[gelsasser]

Thank you, Jennifer and others, for your advice. I didn't even consider the water situation; I drink Dasani all the time. I will keep an eye on things and report back to you once the diet has kicken in a little.

I also started taking Pre lief today...

Looking forward to a good night's sleep!

Thanks again,

Greg

[leelee88]

Hello Greg and :welcome: