My "first" flare

[noirjezza]

Although I have been diagnosed since 2002 (it took 3 years, but I guess my symptoms weren't as bad as some I've read), this is my first reccurent flare. It is all the pain and discomfort that drove me to this wonderful site. I don't know how "seriously" to take this. I am very sure that the flare was brought about by taking prenatal vitamins (I didn't know that it was a "no, no" until reading here) and that was almost a week ago. I am following the low acid diet (I swear), being faithful to take my Elimiron- I just started corn silk tablets and obviously stopped the vitamins immediately (I took them for 2 days- a very large amount of vit C, of course B6 was in them to). I took today off from work to try to rest and not worry (nearly impossible).
Have I done permanent damage? When should I see the MD? Should I try other wholistic treatments? Should I just try to wait it out? Does IC get progressively worse no matter what you do? I have not really had any significant problems until now- God bless you those that have. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening.

[traceann]

Hello and :welcome: to the ICN! The vitamins could definitely have caused you a flare, I know there are many many ICers who have troubles with all kinds of multi-vitamins. I suggest just sticking to your diet, maybe even a little more strictly than usual until your bladder calms down.

Or, you might have an actual UTI, so you might want to contact your doc to see if that's going on. I can remember for me, if things heated up suddenly in the bladder dept, it was a UTI. I used to keep the home UTI testing strips around just to help guide me in the right direction. If it indicated a possible infection I was on the phone with the doc, lol. If it said no, but I was still having huge troubles a day or so later, I still called the doc, lol. I didn't use it to diagnose, but to guide me in what step to take next, watchful waiting, or placing that call.

I wouldn't worry too much if you've been doing well for so long, there could have been something that just sent your bladder into a tantrum (like the vitamins) or a UTI etc. Any time something new is going on, it's best to give your doc a call and get their advice. :)

Hugs and again, welcome!
Tracey:)

[noirjezza]

Well, I saw the uro yesterday, unfortunately(?) no UTI. I was hoping it was a UTI so it could be treated and forgotten about. He gave me a med (name escapes me right now), it turns my urine blue. It does help with the discomfort, but like many of you- I HATE taking more medicine. So, I suppose the visit was positive ( I got medication) and negative (of, course there's no of telling how long this will last). He says give it some more time. Is he kidding- all I do is watch the clock so I can let myself go to the bathroom:headbang: So, I'm going to try to relax this weekend, but keep distracted and maybe by Monday it will be all better....

[ICNDonna]

I'd also like to say :welcome: to the IC Network. I hope you feel better very soon. You might want to stop the cornsilk for a day or so to see if that helps. Cornsilk does have diuretic qualities so it could cause you to have more frequency. Some ICers find it helps, but others feel it is irritating.

Donna

[VickiB]

It sounds like you had the same doctor visit as I did. I'm his only patient who comes in hoping for a UTI! No luck though, so I too got the "give it some time" prescription. Easier said than done though, eh? Personally, I'm ready to put fingernail marks on the walls!

Here's hoping that time passes quickly!

Vicki

[GriffsMommy]

:welcome: to the ICN. I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time. Is Elmiron the only med you're on at this point? I know you mentioned that you don't like to take meds but there are some really good ones out there that have helped a lot of people.
If you are pregnant though (guessing from the prenatal vitamin) then you might not be able to start some other meds until you give birth. Increasing your water intake probably sounds crazy due to the fact that you don't want to pee more but it does help. If the flare is due to something you ate or drank then drinking more water will help to flush it out of your system. If you are taking prenantal vitamins post pregnacy then you can also try a heating pad. I am actually using mine right now and many of us refer to our heating pads as our best friends.
I have also heard others say that a small amount of baking soda in a full glass of water can help with burning. I can't take this due to high blood pressuer but some swear by it. Others say tums helps them to take care of the acidity in their bladder. I don't do this either as one of my meds can not be taken w/in 2 hours of taking an antacid and I can't keep track of that well enough to even bother.
It really is sad that we are the only group of people who hope they have a uti so that we know there are specific meds that can be given to make us feel better. When it's not a uti and a flare then you just kinda have to wait it out.
Oh one more thing people swear by is hot baths to ease pain. I have such a small tub I don't do that unless nothing else is working at all.

[noirjezza]

No, I'm not pregnant:shake: I kind of wanted to be that is why we started the prenatal- making my body more prepared. Now I'm in a flare and really wondering if children will ever be possible. It's been very depressing- If I had just left everything alone, I wouldn't be where I am now- in pain. If I had read more about my conditions, I would have never taken those vitamins (then again I don't know if I would be taking elimiron either). Hindsight is 20/20. I hope that my life's lesson is almost over.
I am trying to give myself time. I figured if I had burned the outside of my body with chemicals, I wouldn't be expecting it to be completely healed by now.
Thanks for all the listening and letting me have someone to talk to. I'm thinking about starting couseling, that way I can pay someone to listen to me complain and not feel guilty about it.

[elamar]

sounds like your doctor gave you urelle. I know it sucks having a flare. I had a uti show up in Nov. and my dec. appt. showed the infection was gone but my bladder still burns. I go to the doctor monthly and they test my urine every month. 99 percent of the time it shows nothing. Drives me nuts! If there's nothing there, then why am I burning and in pain?!!! Anyhow, just wanted to confirm the trick about the tums. I just bought some super strength tums that I now take twice a day. I take 2 at bedtime, and I did wake up with less burning. But, as the day wears on, the burning picks up. I eat very bland and pretty much in the guidelines of the IC diet. One other thing that helps me is drinking a club soda. It has sodium bicarbonate in it, and I find it easier to drink than baking soda and water. The carbonation doesn't seem to bother me. I hated the stuff at first, but kind of got used to the taste. I guess I'm just dying to drink something other than water or skim milk. I also put my feet up and an ice pack between the legs to try to cool things off. Unfortunately we are just kind of stuck waiting this out. Just try to keep being kind to your bladder by sticking with a safe diet. Hope this helps.

[noirjezza]

I guess I am starting to lose track, I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I am feeling better, but I stil have moments of 'argh, do I have to go to the bathroom- AGAIN?' Life is picking up, I just have to keep up!
Thanks to all of you and your advice-
I discontinued the cornsilk, Donna was right, it wasn't for me. I think that it was making the frequency worse. I take the TUMS, I figure a little calcium can't hurt and might help (I don't take any other Calcium supplements, so I shouldn't be getting too much). I have a busy week, but will keep those of you who are hurting on my mind and hoping that you feel better soon.

[snowgirl]

I tried that corn silk tea once. It was nice and soothing . However; it made me pee like I had taken a water pill. Does it have a diuretic effect? I felt like it. Vicky

[noirjezza]

Yes, it does have a diruetic effect. I learned that the hard way. I guess I would not recommend it during a flare. I was taking it 4 times a day, no wonder I had to go soooo much:bonk: