Doing so well, then bad month - why??

[kmaot]

I have had IC for about 2 yrs now and am treated with Elmiron and diet with great success. There would be a full month or 2 when I would be completely symptom free. And then whammy. It would hit again.

Sometimes a flare would be only about 7 hrs (what an improvement) and sometimes (like now) I have a bad "month". It has been a month. It is 2 am and I am flaring. I am drinking some chammomile tea and have a hot water bottle but the urgency is back. In a bad "month" I would flare a few times a week but experience pressure, etc often so that I still knew my body was out of whack.

Why now? Maybe I know but....you see my hubby is going through a major potential life change that will affect us both. Includes a new job, move and new life and expectations. All positive but....it has consumed many of his and my thoughts.

So I thought this was all stress related as it just isn't easing up. And I want it to end. What the heck do I do??

IS STRESS THAT BAD FOR US??

[OrlandoP]

I have had IC for about 2 yrs now and am treated with Elmiron and diet with great success. There would be a full month or 2 when I would be completely symptom free. And then whammy. It would hit again.

Sometimes a flare would be only about 7 hrs (what an improvement) and sometimes (like now) I have a bad "month". It has been a month. It is 2 am and I am flaring. I am drinking some chammomile tea and have a hot water bottle but the urgency is back. In a bad "month" I would flare a few times a week but experience pressure, etc often so that I still knew my body was out of whack.

Why now? Maybe I know but....you see my hubby is going through a major potential life change that will affect us both. Includes a new job, move and new life and expectations. All positive but....it has consumed many of his and my thoughts.

So I thought this was all stress related as it just isn't easing up. And I want it to end. What the heck do I do??

IS STRESS THAT BAD FOR US??

I think the truth is for some of us that there simply isn't a rhyme or reason. I went into remission just 'cause. I didn't change anything. I haven't really found diet triggers, except coffee and alcohol. I am on month seven of a flare, and nothing, not elavil, or yoga, can make it go back into remission for me. That I'll have to wait for. I can make myself more comfortable, but forcing a remission seems to be out of my control.

As for stress, sure, stress is bad. But...I was under extreme stress this weekend, and had one totally symptom-free day. All I'm saying is, you can drive yourself nuts trying to come up with the pattern or reason, and sometimes, it's just random. Accepting that can make you less stressed!

[ICNDonna]

Stress can definitely bring on a flare. You might want to talk with your doctor about possibly taking something to help calm you down a little. And have a good look at your diet --- have you added anything new? are you taking any herbal remedies? any new medications? are you drinking enough water?

I hope you feel better very soon.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[tracy3434]

I totally know how you feel. I was diagnosed with IC about a year ago. It has been a constant struggle, but I can go for weeks without any symptoms and I think I am totally healed. Then WHAM, I have a bad few hours, or like now, a bad few weeks. I can't figure out what triggers these flares, but I am sure stress is a big factor. Hang in there.

[kadi]

You might look for anything that has changed in the diet. Sometimes foods that seem okay when I first try them can have a cumulative effect.
I had a miserable 2 weeks at the end of June until I realized I'd added avocado at the beginning of June, had had no immediate symptoms during my very cautious "trials" the first week or so & thought it was okay. But over time, my bladder felt more & more irritated. When I removed the avocado from my diet, voila! Well again.

(Then I learned that most patients allergic to latex are also allergic to avocado, who knew? I'm allergic to latex & never thought about what else that could mean. Who'd think material used in gloves & catheters could have a food related allergy?)

[Claredale]

I posted just a few days ago that I have done better than I have in many years. Last Saturday, I ate just one chicken wing that had just a "little" barbeque sauce on it and I went into a little mini flare. I drank a bunch of water and took some meds and rested most of Sunday. I was back to normal by Sunday night. That definitely showed me to not be too "safe" at all. When I was getting that one wing, my husband was fussing at me. I "cleaned off" as much sauce as possible, because I WANTED that wing! At least, he wasn't "I told you so" at all! I want to continue with my progress and taking my meds only when necessary and hopefully lead me to remission.

Kadi, I just love to look at your cat's face! I had a huge orange tomcat for a long time. We had to put him to sleep last November. I just enjoy looking at her eyes!

Tracey

[Curly]

I go months (longest time was 10 months) in between flares. Not sure why either but I hate it. I am in a mini-flare now since yesterday. I call it a mini-flare because it is not as painful as my usual flares and I am trying to keep it that way. Taking AZO, drinking water and eating a very bland diet. I am sorry you are in pain and I hope that it eases up soon.

And - stress does aggravate my bladder! When I get really upset and worried about something I usually end up flaring.

One day I hope there will be a cure for us all!

:pray:

[Missmissy]

I always get a flare when I am under stress. And the bad thing about it is, you can't just turn off what is causing the stress.
I take my azo and drink extra water.

I agree with hopefully one day there will be a cure!!!