Four things I haven't heard of yet...anyone tried?

[Taramc]

Ya know how we all hate it when co-workers and friends start printing things off the Internet? Like we're just sitting here in agony not doing research ourselves!?

Somebody handed me a bunch of stuff they found yesterday and I decided to scan through it. There were four IC treatments listed I haven't heard of yet, or tried.

Are any of these familiar to anyone?

1. Serrapeptase Proteolytic Enzymes - supposed to help with inflammation.

2. Bovine Colustrum / Bioactive Colustrum - reduces inflammation and helps immune system. This one is mentioned in "Along the Healing Path."

3. Alkalife Booster Drops - more ways to alkalize your body I guess. They're drops you put in water. I found them on EBay for pretty cheap.

4. Detoxfying Bentonite Clay. I heard it detoxifies the body when you soak in it, and supposedly we IC'ers have toxic bodies that need detoxifying lol. Next I'll be getting my colon cleaned out - JUST KIDDING!

Anything sound familiar? So far I'm only fronting the cash for the Alkalife drops.

Thanks!

[stef000]

I haven't heard of any of them except that bovine colostrum....
I would say to you get a different kind than bovine stuff since red meat and by-products such as colostrum of cows or whatever can cause inflammation...
So i would be careful with that one....
Some people love it for other reasons than IC but some have had inflammation problems or their inflammation flare up when taking stuff from cows....
its just one of those weird things.....:loco:
so i would be real careful with that one....
hope you get some relief
take care
hugs n better body days
:hi:

[dg2901]

Interesting!
Hoping someone with experience and/or knowledge of these "treatments" posts soon.

D

[stef000]

http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/reo/2005/drug_profile.htm

here is another link.....from what i have read some people think that it just breaks down in your digestive system and its just the same as drinking regular milk but without the vitamins in it since its the serum before a cow can feed her calf real milk.....personally i think that is really gross and that they actually starve calves because they just want all the stuff the cow has and then calves die of starvation......
that is what i found about it....

[Taramc]

Thanks! I like that stanford.edu site a lot.... I've always appreciated the college studies and the skeptics when it comes to this kind of stuff.

"There is no credible evidence to support claims that bovine colostrum burns fat, builds muscle, speeds healing of injuries, regulates blood sugars, improves mood and fights depression or that it has anti-cancer effects"

okay, and if that's not all:

"Recent studies have found that IGF-1 levels correlate with risk of prostate cancer and colorectal cancer in men, premenopausal breast cancer in women and lung cancer in both men and women. Those with these types of cancer and those at risk for these cancers should exercise caution in the use of bovine colostrum supplements"

I think my situation calls more for alkalizing products. My bladder capacity is normal, but I'm extremely diet sensitive and get miserable flares easily. So I would assume the problem is mostly acid, though I do have a lot of inflammation as well, according to the biopsy results from my hydrodistension.

I hate my sore bladder!:bonk:

[ICNDonna]

The book you mentioned has not been recommended by any professional organization. It is strictly one person's opinion with no reliable studies backing any of the information there.

Donna

[Jar]

I would like to know if anyone has tried acupucture as an alternative treatment for IC? If so, was it helpful for frequency.

Thank you,

Jar

[Taramc]

Hello Jar, and WELCOME!

I've done acupuncture 4 times. My insurance doesn't cover it so I paid 90 bucks for each time. The acupuncturist I saw shares patients with my urologist, so has experience with IC patients.

However, I noticed nothing other than changes in my mood and some additional bladder pain on the day of/day after the treatments. No changes in frequency/urgency.

The main thing that has helped my frequency is taking overactive bladder drugs - mine is Enablex but there are many. Good luck!

[icpuzzled]

Ya know how we all hate it when co-workers and friends start printing things off the Internet? Like we're just sitting here in agony not doing research ourselves!?

Somebody handed me a bunch of stuff they found yesterday and I decided to scan through it. There were four IC treatments listed I haven't heard of yet, or tried.

Are any of these familiar to anyone?

1. Serrapeptase Proteolytic Enzymes - supposed to help with inflammation.

2. Bovine Colustrum / Bioactive Colustrum - reduces inflammation and helps immune system. This one is mentioned in "Along the Healing Path."

3. Alkalife Booster Drops - more ways to alkalize your body I guess. They're drops you put in water. I found them on EBay for pretty cheap.

4. Detoxfying Bentonite Clay. I heard it detoxifies the body when you soak in it, and supposedly we IC'ers have toxic bodies that need detoxifying lol. Next I'll be getting my colon cleaned out - JUST KIDDING!

Anything sound familiar? So far I'm only fronting the cash for the Alkalife drops.

Thanks!

1. 1. Serrapeptase Proteolytic Enzymes - supposed to help with inflammation. My digestive enzymes to don't contain serrapeptase but they have helped me a lot with my IBS symptoms. Also Digestive enzymes help the body to break down protiens and absorb the vitamins from food. The body can have a hard time absorbing vitamins from food esp when there is disease present. I would only do one of these things at a time and work up slow to the other things if your going to try them all.

2 bovine colusrum is from cows. if you are lactose intolerant you may try to find one from human milk goat or sheep. Colustrum is what is present in breast milk and helps build the immune system. It is also detoxing so keep that in mind you don't want to take too many things that detox the body at the same time. I generally will switch them out so I don't cleanse too much causing pain to my already sensitive IC bladder.

3 Alkalife Booster Drops I use all the things from Alkilfe I especally like their time released sodium bicarbinate and potassium bicarbinate. It is a little expensive but it really helps my pain and it's like gold to me. I don't really use the drops anymore because my water is already ph 8. You want to make sure your not too alkiline. I would read about this there are lots of books about balancing Acid alkine.

4Detoxfying Bentonite Clay, I would not consume this because it is too deyhydrating for ICers. If you soak in it it will draw toxins out and yes ICers are toxic in my opinion and I am sure I am not alone here. Like I said before tho you don't want to detox with a bunch of things too much it can be over cleansing. There are lots of herbs that are soothing for the bath one of my favorites is calendula it is safe herb even used for babies. You will want to hydrate your skin and drink lots of water after using clay.
I hope this helps

[mayray]

Having been diagnosed with IC in 1992 (when there was no internet) and being told I was "crazy" "wanted drugs" by family and peers, I would have welcomed printouts from co-workers. I think they care about you and are showing an interest in IC. Its better than hearing "how is that bladder thing you always talk about". Be glad they care.

[Taramc]

Yeah I'm glad I have a good work environment and caring co-workers, since I need my job in order to keep up with all the $$$. Plus I have to stay on full-time in order to keep the insurance. So you're right - hooray for nice co-workers.

Anyway I'm back to report that ALKALIFE has made a HUGE difference for me!! I'm one of the IC'ers who doesn't suffer too much urgency anymore (thanks to Enablex), but the pain, inflammation, and food sensitivity are TERRIBLE.

ALKALIFE seems to have reduced my pain by more than 50 percent! YAY!

[icpuzzled]

yea I will not go anywhere with out it!!! totally worth the price. I have tried others and they just don't work.

[Taramc]

I also don't flare from "Potassium Citrate" pills. I heard about those on cobfoundation dot org and googling them just says 'alkalizes urine.' They aren't easy to find - I had to get them online. Regardless, they don't flare me and they seemed to help early on. Meanwhile, Fishoil capsules FLARE me! Weird!

Oh yeah one more thing: I've posted this under other topics but I've recently discovered Migun Thermal Massages are much much cheaper than acupuncture, and seem to accomplish the same thing through some Far-Infrared technology (as opposed to the needles).

[Katrina]

I tend to fear detoxifying things over all so I would defiantly try to learn more about that before considering it as a possibility. 4Detoxfying Bentonite Clay, I would not consume this because it is too deyhydrating for ICers Sounds right to me!

I'd suspect alkalife to be tollerable to try.

Colustrum...familiar and have tried for other things but never IC before.

[wilez]

I've been taking the Proteolytic Enzymes (Double Strength Zymactive, Dr. Murrays's Formula) along with Dr. Mercola's Probiotics and Source Naturals Digestive Enzymes and this seems to help me a lot. I got busy and didn't take them for a couple of days, then ate a multigrain bread and drank milk (it seems both of these bother me) and I had a major flare up. I started taking my supplements again and my symptoms are beginning to decrease. I hate taking pills and I take up to 20 a day of these three combined, but it's better than looking and feeling nine months pregnant at almost 60 years old.