Question regarding the flares

[georgecoolname]

Hey Guys! How long do flares last or does it vary? Is your pain there 24/7 literally? Mine has never ever gone away for even a split second for the past 2 and a half years. It can be more intense sometimes, but generally, it's the same old and just never leaves. I can't always tell if I have a flare because of that and sometimes it doesnt matter to me because there's always going to be pain anyway.

[Wolfe]

Flares are certainly different for everyone, and mine aren't all the same for me either. It depends on what is causing me to flare. If I have coffee or a soda, I have sharpness and urgency. If I take antidepressants, I have a huge, heavy abdominal ache and total fatigue from inflammation. Those last longer, LOL.

You don't say if you're following the IC diet, but if you're in that much constant pain for that long, maybe you're eating or taking something that is irritating your bladder. Vitamins hurt, some medications hurt. After the amount of time you're talking about, I would eliminate everything I could and start adding things back one at a time. Usually I can find a pattern of something I've changed or done differently, and then I know what is bothering my bladder. It could easily be stress. Just being in pain is stressful, and looking for answers can be too.

I wish you all the best, and hope you find your answers soon!

[georgecoolname]

Moods don't affect the pain. Am curious if going by the diet would help, yet I'm not sure if that would necessarily take it away or not.

[ICNDonna]

I feel pretty good most of the time, but if I don't avoid my diet triggers, I know it will cause pain. If you're not on the diet, my suggestion is to try it for at least six to eight weeks to see if it will help. At the very least, avoid sodas, coffee, tea, citrus, cranberry, and tomatoes.

Donna

[lisabar36]

I know I have to follow the diet to avoid pain to. If I eat something I am not supposed to, I will flare. Especially the things Donna mentioned. My biggest trigger is anything citrus or high in acidity. Are you following the IC diet? Hope you feel better soon.

[lisabar36]

Donna, before I was diagnosed, they kept telling me to take cranberry pills. I would take them and be in so much pain and I would tell the doctor but they didn't understand why. They insisted I take them, finally after I was diagnosed, my doctor said, that was one of the WORST things to take but they didn't know. They were treating me for one UTI after another and thought the pills would help.

[SharonA]

The only way to find out if the IC Diet will help you is to try it. Give it an honest try. Like Donna said, at least 6 to 8 weeks. :)