HELP! I'm a Newbie

[chuchideb]

:confused: I am newly diagnosed as of 8/07 and am having a real tough time coping with this condition. I lost my job in May due to this, gained 35 lbs probably because I am up most nights and have been living on a starch diet and I am quite miserable. I have always consideredt myself to be a strong confident woman; until now. I feel very discouraged and seem to be isolating myself making me even more depressed. I am in tears now but am forcing myself to reach out to someone that understands what i am going through but feel like I am "bothering" people.
I am very confused about how to start a really basic diet, it seems nothing I eat is giving me any relief at all. Just when I think I can tolerate something I experience severe pain the next time I eat it. My pain actually causes me to literally have "meltdowns" on my knees sometimes screaming in pain. I think my biggest confusion is how long does it take for a food to go through and affect my bladder. You see if i eat very carefully a couple days I seem to be in terrible pain the next day and sometimes eating something not so good for me can offer a somewhat painless result the next day. Bottom line is I am completely baffled about this diet.
Any input/support from you would be so greatly appreciated. By the way I am still trying to keep a sense of humor about this misery and have decided to give my "bladder" a name because I am officially disowning it as part of my body. I haven't come up with the perfect name yet but something like "WILMA" maybe just because of the way Fred Flinstone yells her name in the cartoon. LOL. You might be too young to have enjoyed this cartoon but I am 47. Thanks so much for listening I feel a little better already!
Sincerely, Chuchideb

[sickofmybladder]

:welcome:

I was diagnosed on in August as well -

Please go to the patient handbook (on the front page of the website) for the IC diet - it has really helped my symptoms alot.

[ICNDonna]

:welcome: to the IC Network. The Patient Handbook is at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook and you'll find diet information there. And there's an excellent book, written by IC patient Julie Beyer, available in the ICN Shop. It's title is "Confident Choices," and it will help you build a healthy diet.

I hope you feel better very soon.

Donna

[Berkshire Road]

Food can take from 1 to 3 days to pass through your system (drinks are much faster, of course). That may be what's confusing you. If you're testing a new food, you need to give it three days before you can be sure. So, generally, it's a good idea to go to a very basic diet with only things you know you are okay with, and stay on that for at least a week, even a couple of weeks. You need to give your bladder a rest, or it won't be able to heal. Once you're sure you're not eating any bad foods, try re-introducing foods, one at a time, giving each one at least three days before you start another one. Remember, this is not a lifetime situation. As your bladder heals, you may very well be able to tolerate some things that you can't handle now. But first things first, and that means trying to get a handle on this pain, and get you sleeping, so you can start coping.

You didn't really say what, if any, treatments or medications you're getting now. So it's hard to know what to suggest. But if your doctor knows you're in this much pain and isn't giving you anything for it, you might want to try a pain management specialist or clinic. I understand; I've had that knock-down, stop you in your tracks kind of pain too. BUT, I don't have it any more. Thanks to my wonderful IC doctor and pain management doctor. The diet is very important but other treatments can make a big difference too.

Try not to isolate yourself. I know how hard that is, and especially when you have so much pain you just can't be good company. That's why I think it's so important to try to get that pain under control. Meanwhile, we're always here and you're not bothering anyone by seeking support; that's what this site is about. It's very likely that the day will come, when you are the one offering support and advice to others. IC is incurable, but it is very treatable. It can take time to find the right treatment or combination of treatments for you. But you'll find it.

A sense of humor is a great weapon against despair. Keep that up!

[leelee88]

Hello and:welcome: Glad you found us:smile tee

[Claredale]

You have received great advice. Just know that we are here and most of us have been right where you are. I am doing much better, but it can take a long time to go through the treatments and find the right combo of meds. Just try to be patient and not hard on yourself. Find something that you enjoy and do it. I kept a journal so on my bad days, I could look back and remember that I have good days as well.

T83