Soda-coke and sprite

[zoogirl29]

I have a question...I miss soda.. if I can tolerate soda is it ok to drink or should I avoid it altogether because it could cause more damage to my bladder?

What about clear soda like sprite?

Same question for acidic/spicy foods...if they don't bother me should I avoid them anyway?

Thanks,

Susan

[ICNDonna]

The harm these things cause is pain. Unless you are totally pain free I would suggest you avoid them.

Donna

[dyno]

I have to agree with Donna on this.

[elamar]

I think sprite is probably even worse than coke for your bladder since it has loads of citric acid. I have one club soda a day. I know the taste isn't the greatest, but I got used to it. It actually helps reduce my bladder burning because of the bicarbonate in it. Unfortuanately soda is just one of the worst drinks on the planet! You really need to not drink it. I have read that some on these boards do OK with rootbeer. Maybe you can try that if you must have a fix! Good luck to you.

[SharonA]

Is it the taste of soda that you miss, the caffeine, or the carbonation? I have seen posts that talk about setting an open can or bottle out and letting the carbonation fizzle away. You can do that with caffeine free. If it is the caffeine that you miss, there really isn't a way to drink that if you are bothered by caffeine. Taking a couple of Prelief allows me to drink one cup of regular, not very strong coffee in the mornings, but I can't tolerate more than that one cup.

Acidic/spicy foods causes me pain. I stay away from them.

[leelee88]

In the beginning I avoided ALL sodas.. But I just recently started drinking Barqs Root Beer. I was just so burned out on water and milk. But I drink it with caution. I buy a 2 liter and let the carbination out somewhat and I also add water to my glass. I know does not sound to good. But hey its better than nothing and I do not flare from this..

[alycat]

I finally managed to find a soda without citric acid, and I only drink it in any sort of amount when it's flat. Shasta's RootBeer, only kind I can drink at all.

[stacyoigirl]

I can drink any root beer and sprite or 7up. I am not sure why I can drink sprite because it does have citric acid in it. I have read that adding water to sodas might help with the pain. I totally understand missing soda. I really miss Dr Pepper. I also like to drink tea. I just dunk the tea bag two or three times and take it out. It makes it more mild and the water is flavored pretty well. Oh, I just found that arizona tea in the tall can is IC friendly for me, no lemon or anything. I hope you can find something yummy that you can tolerate!

[ncnative]

I drink IBC root beer(in the glass bottle) with ice and this works great for me. Doesn't bother me at all. I have noticed if I'm having a pain free spell that I can tolerate fountain Sprite but if I try from a can or 2-liter, forget it. They seem to be more acidic and the fountain drinks less acidic and not as strong. Weak iced tea works for me also.

[Claredale]

I can drink rootbeer most anytime and even Pepsi when my bladder is really behaving itself, but for years, I drank water and decaf and mint tea. Sprite is especially bad for me because of the citrus. Even though sodas all have citric acid in them, it's not enough to bother my bladder (finally), but Sprite will cause almost immediate pain which I drank after my nephew's wedding thinking it was Ginger Ale. They were fixing "Shirley Temples" for the people not drinking anything alcholic and my son had never had one which I grew up with them being made with ginger ale and a cherry. When I realized it was Sprite instead of ginger ale, I drank so many glasses of water, but I still had a horrible flare the next day while we were driving several hundred miles back home. That was one of my last couple of flares in almost 3 years.

ncnative, I notice that I do better with fountain sodas (Pepsi) as well. I always thought soft drinks tasted better in a glass bottle or as a fountain drink.

Tracey