Help!!!

[LaurenEngland]

I'm going for a day out this Saturday (jan 12th) which I've been really looking forward to.
I don't want to have to cancel due to an IC flare so i'm doing my best to avoid all high risk foods from now until then.

However, it's my period in about a week and i usually get a bad flare up then.
how many days before a period do others get a flare up? and what's the best way to calm a period-related IC flare?

is it the same with a flare that is caused by eating the wrong foods?

any advice would be appreciated xx

[leelee88]

Oh Laura, I wish I had some advise on period related flares, but the only thing that has helped me overcome them is getting on continous birthcontrol. I know that will not help you for this weekend, but it might be something to look into in the future. But I would watch what I eat. And stay away from any caffiene. I noticed that made things worse around that time of month.. Good luck and I hope you have a great weekend..

[Tracymn]

I always make sure that I drink plenty of water around my periods and stick to my IC diet. No caffiene for me!

I hope all goes well on your planned trip, best of luck!

[lisabar36]

Hi, well I usually start my flare a week before my period. My periods are extremely painful, so I don't find any relief, I follow the diet, I use a heating pad. I take something for pain. To me, its not the same as a food flare, because no matter how strict I follow the diet, I still have a flare and bad pain right before and during my period. Maybe someone else will chime in and give you some advice. I wish I had some to offer you but I have to pretty much stay off my feet and tough it out because nothing helps. I am currently on Lupron to supress my period but I still got one even on the shots. They say it can take 2 months to stop your period. I hope someone can chime in and offer advice to you. :)

[SharonA]

If you can find them where you live, you can buy the disposable heating pads that stick to the inside of your panties. They may help to sooth the bladder enough for you to enjoy your day out.

[LaurenEngland]

Oh Laura, I wish I had some advise on period related flares, but the only thing that has helped me overcome them is getting on continous birthcontrol. I know that will not help you for this weekend, but it might be something to look into in the future. But I would watch what I eat. And stay away from any caffiene. I noticed that made things worse around that time of month.. Good luck and I hope you have a great weekend..


thanks leelee.
I am taking the contraceptive pill. do you mean run two packs of tablets together so you skip a period?? obviously this is probably not advisable all the time but if it works just the once i might do it.
please get back to me.
also, is everyone else saying that painkillers etc will not work when it's a period-related flare. that's bad news : (

[leelee88]

Lauren,
That is how I do it, But I would not advise this without talking to your GYN. But not having a period has saved me alot of pain and flares..

[ICNDonna]

I think it would be a good idea to contact your doctor before you take the contraceptive pill to avoid your period. I had a hysterectomy before I developed IC so I can't really share any experiences in that area, but I did have severe menstrual cramps before the surgery and occasionally took pain meds for them. I would think pain meds would at least help with a period related flare.

Hopefully sticking with the diet this week and drinking enough water will help keep you from flaring on Saturday.

Hugs,
Donna

[lisabar36]

Hi, my doctor is also stopping my periods to save me pain and flares to. So I would talk to your gyn. As for pain pills, I have ultracet and that does not do a thing when I have my period, I try not to take something stronger, ( thats just personal preference) , but if I do, it does help with the pain a little. I have not found a real true solution to that horrible pain when I have my period, and thats why the doctor is stopping them for 6 months to hope that I won't have the pain when I don't have a period. Talk to your GYN about options for you. Maybe you can take something that will help your pain during a period flare, we are all so different in what works. :)

[LaurenEngland]

thanks leelee and Donna

i have taken the pill continously on occasion before (not to stop flares but just for convenience).
my doctor says it's not advisable long term but they say it's not harmful if it's done every now and again.
i am not deviating from the diet at all and taking as much meds as I need.
as for the pill i think i will try taking it continously just this weekend and see if it has an effect, although i am sure my flare ups start a few days before my seven-day pill-free break anyway.

x

[Want2BPainFree]

Since my period hasn't been real regular lately, I can never predict when the inevitable period flare is coming. Sometimes it comes before, sometimes during, and I'm trying to remember if it has ever come after.

Either way, I just use my heating pad every night and use the sticky heating pads SharonA mentioned. I also drink more chamomile tea during that time, and I avoid putting too much pressure on my bladder and vulva with pants. So, I tend to wear skirts and dresses during this time.

[Claredale]

I get the depo shot every 3 months and haven't had a period in almost 2 1/2 years. It has been wonderful. I normally had some pain when my period started initially, plus I bled like a stuck pig because I am so enemic, but my worst flares were actually during my ovulation. Before I had the depo shot, I was out of commission for everything for about a week or so.

I hope your enjoy your day out!

Tracey

[lisabar36]

Oh boy I flared to during ovulation, for like 2 days, I would have pain! This last month I did not have that, I assume it was because the Lupron shot. I didn't feel any ovulation pains at all. :)

[tigger_gal]

its been 2 years since I have had a period, and the pain was horrible. hopefully, you will be all set with out pain to go on your outing. sending big hugs your way.