How long does it take the IC diet to "work"?

[capnspaulding]

I've been eating extremely bland foods for almost a month. No change in frequency. Which is bad.

[ICNDonna]

Are you working with the IC diet? (The link is at the top of this page). It can take quite a while --- I would give the IC diet at least two months before deciding it isn't helping.

Donna

[Claredale]

I used the elimination diet, which looks like that is what you are doing with starting out with bland foods. Like Donna said, it can take a while. Are you changing up any of the foods just in the chance that one of those foods could be irritating you. The diet is not perfect in that sometimes foods that are on the okay list, could bother other people.

Also are you drinking plenty of water and getting as much rest as possible. I know that is a stupid question since it's hard to get the needed rest with IC. Those two don't go hand and hand!

Stress, sex and hormones are also things that can effect my bladder. Are you taking any meds, vitamins or supplements? That is the toughest thing about IC. Trying to get some sort of pattern going on. When all this started for me 20 years ago, I would do the same things, take the same meds, try to keep to the same habits and then my bladder would act as if I hadn't done anything to help it be less irritated.

I have been on the diet for many years now and I still have to make adjustments depending on different factors going on. There is so much trial and error in dealing with IC.

Hugs, T

[BreezyDay]

It took me a good 2-3 months before I saw some impovement from the elimination diet. After waiting about 3 months, I began adding one food at a time bank into my diet to determine how my bladder would reaction. I only allow myself one new food every 36 hours to make sure I know what symptoms are caused by each food. And if I flare I stick to all safe foods until it has subsided. I have not had a complete turn around especially in terms of urgency and frequency BUT it has helped signifcantly in reducing the extreme pain that feels like the inside of my blader has been scored with razor blades accompanied by referred pain.
I can understand your frusteration with the time line but remaining positive can make the time pass a bit faster. I try to tell myself "It's only food" :) Some days are more difficult than others. Try to hang in there & chin up:)

[sickofmybladder]

I was very similiar to Breezy - it was about 2 1/2 - 3 months before I started adding foods back in from the "other categories". Please check out the link for the elimination diet and try not to get discouraged. Also - you may need some meds to add in as well (I know I did) - so you should discuss this with your doctor.

Are you keeping a diary? I found this very helpful in the beginning - I tracked my meds, horomone cycles, voiding etc. - it didn't take long before I noticed patterns (like ovulation and my menstrual cycle are guarranteed flares for me). Stress is another huge guarranteed flare for me - as well as too much exercise. Try to get as much rest as possible - make sure you are drinking enough water (diluted urine is so much better - trust me) - and give your bladder time to recover.

I hope you start to improve soon.

[NewLife]

I see improvement within 2-3 days. On a scale of one to 5, my symptoms usually drop at least a point within a couple of days.

Perhaps the IC diet is helping you and your IC would have progressed if you weren't following it?