what else can I try

[mlzippy7]

My pain has been steadily increasing and today I can't stand it.
I have my pain patch on. I took my break through meds. I tried several hot baths. I tried the heating pad. I tried pyridium.
I don't know what else to do to get this back under control.
I am so frustrated.

[LaurenEngland]

Hi mlzippy,

you've probably been given this advice lots of times, but if you haven't already you really need to alter your diet.

I used to get pain every day and since changing my diet only 2 weeks ago i've seen a significant improvement. I hardly get any pain at all now.

I've stopped drinking tea and coffee, cut out anything sugary (especially chocolate) and swapped bananas (which i used to eat daily) for pears.
I feel absolutely great.

good luck xx

[LaurenEngland]

ps. Baking soda (1 tsp) in a little water is fantastic for pain. x

[IcyAngel23]

Do you have your Interstim on? When I had mine put in it caused an increase in my pain. I had mild pain before the implant but severe after it was put in.I found when it was on it ampted up my pain but my freq/urg was better. I had to get mine taken out 3 years ago but I'm getting a spinal cord stimulator put in next week which is for pain. I hope you feel better and that you have better luck than I did with the Interstim.

[IcyAngel23]

Epson salt in the bath seems to help at times. I found that a heated mattress pad works so much better than a heating pad. Mine stays on for up to 10 hours
(auto shut-off) and it has 20 heat settings (even a pre-heat too) It doesn't get as hot as a heating pad but really warms every part of your body which in turn relaxes every muscle. I have a big problem with being a ball of tension so this really helps. Once I crawl in bed it takes a few minutes for me to relax. It heats up very quickly. It can be expensive but it's worth it. I use to go through about 9 heating pads a year. They burned out or stopped working but I've had this pad for over a year and I use it all the time. Sunbeam makes the one I have. It was around $100-$125 but buying all of those heating pads adds up. This also works for just warming you up if you're cold during the winter. I use it during the summer too for my pain. I have the Air on so I'm not crazy. Just to let you in my IC is severe. My bladder muscle is dying as well. Less than 20% function remains. I take 60 mg of ms contin a day, morphine sulfate every 4-6 hours and Ambien to sleep sometimes. I'm 26 and was diagnosed at 21. It has gone from mild to severe in that time. I've done it all. I'm not one of those people who says that and has done a few hear and there. I've done botox, PT, elmiron (which I'm allgeric to as well),Interstim,TENS,Cyclosporine A,Cytotec,the diet,DSMO, rescue instills,Lido instills,heparin injections,Elavil, Detrol LA (all of those pills) two different types of nerve blocks, methadone, fentanyl patches, oxy, neurontin, ultrasound therapy, EMG, biofeedack and a few I'm forgetting. All of this is the last 4-5 years. Most of it was in the first 3 years. I hope this helps. I know this post was a bit long.

[mlzippy7]

LaurenEngland
Thank you for responding. I actually have been on a very strict diet for a long time with the IC as well as the celiac and crohns. There is not much that I can eat. I have only had water to drink in ages. I miss coffee so much but there is no way I will put myself through more pain.
Thanks again for your suggestions.

[ICNDonna]

My husband had pain from his inguinal hernias until he had them repaired. Is there any possibility that could be a problem for you?

Donna

[mlzippy7]

Donna
That is interesting. My doctors think that the hernia is small enough that it shouldn't be causing me problems. I will bring it up though the next visit.
Thanks

[Bea]

hoping your are feeling better.. there are days I would sit in the tub for so long with baking soda to help ease the pain.. have you tried prosed ds over pyridium.. I know pyridium didn't personally work well for me ~~~hugs~~~