More Questions

[Linda Harringto]

Being so new to all of this I have so many questions and you all have been wonderful...I thank God every day that I found out what was wrong with me and that there are wonderful people who know what I am going thru and are there to help. How many of you smoke and have you definately found this to be an irritant to the bladder? Also, what seems to be the best pain medicine to take for the flareups. I am going for a real sit-down with my urologist Thursday afternoon. I am trying to read everthing I can get my hands on to educate myself so I'm not just brushed under the rug. Thanks so much.........Linda

[SharonA]

Hi Linda...Welcome to ICN

I used to smoke but I stopped in 1991 which was way before my IC symptoms began. Therefore, I do not know if smoking bothered IC. Sorry that I can not give you an answer to your guestion. I do know that there are some here who do smoke. Hopefully, you will hear from some of them.

I do know that smoking contributed to some of my other health problems. Stopping was one of the hardest things I ever did but so worth it. Please consider doing so yourself. Okay, no more lectures.:D

[Dixiefireball]

I still do smoke I know that smokeing isnt good for my health but it doesnt seem to bother my bladder at all.
I take dmso treatments heparin and marcaine for pain and perocets for my pain. i do my own dmso at home. I also find that nerve pills Klonopins helps my bladder also.
some people do find that smokeing does make them flare up and do feel better after they quit
My biggest problems that causes me to flare is stress and uti i have at least one uti a mth a week before my peroid i can count the days and do everything in my power to stop it and i still get one:(
I hope i have been some help to you
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[Linda Harringto]

Dear Rhonda...thanks for your reply. So far I have cut out coffee and cranberry juice and chocolate. I'm learning about all of this day by day. I'm going to sit down and talk with my urologist tomorrow but I don't care for him at all. I have found a new one who was recommeded to me thru someone with IC and I will meet with him next week. I think I will continue to smoke as long as I can because I've had to give up some many other things. I'm praying they come up with a cause and cure in the near future for all of us. My family has a hard time even understanding what I have. I guess it is confusing....thanks again for the info..

[Dixiefireball]

your welcome i was glad i could help.
I do think if you cut out that cranberry juice it would help your bladder alot i can drink cranberry juice and i'm in a flare for days i find that a cranberry pill doesnt cause a flare or just a vit c pill also helps from time to time but i'm not one to take ex pills because i already have to take so much. i don't have to take as much as i did in the beginning but still a pill a day is to much for me before ic i didnt take nothing! i hated pills because i had to take so much medicine when i was a child
please make your self a diet list to see what helps you and what hurts you that is what i had to do.
if you would like to talk some more please email me at sassynsweet026@yahoo.com or dixie74@cherco.net
hope this helps
i hate to say this but smokeing is my nerve pill i know its bad for my health but with the family i have its kind of a get away for me because i dont smoke in the house around my children at least that is an excuse i can use to get out of the house LOL.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[MsSmiley]

I smoke also but don't know if it has any affect on me causing flares b/c I've smoked long before I knew I had IC. I have tried going cold turkey with no good results, stress always takes me right back to them. I tried Zyban about 7-8 yrs ago & I had an allergic reaction so I am hesitant on trying OTC products b/c of being allergic to products. I'm not sure what was in Zyban to cause the allergic reaction. But it was doing it's job before I ended up in the ER b/c of it. You can always try something OTC, since it is a lot cheaper than Zyban. DH wants me to quit & is always on me about it even tho he smokes. He said it is hard for him to quit with me still smoking. But he can go all day without one & is down to only a few a day.

Monday I asked the nurse about some pain meds especially in a flare & she gave me some samples of UriMax. I have not used any yet. I asked her if it will help if I am already in a flare b/c a narcotic the ER gave me said it won't work if already in pain. She said this is an instant reliever no matter how much pain I am in.

My family has been pretty good & trying to learn about IC. I talk to DH about something new I learn about it just about every day.
After I had the cysto/Hydro we had a b-day party for my son a few days later & my mom & I sat down & we talked about it & she read the phamplets the Uro gave me. She is just as curious about it as I am since we had never heard of IC until I was diagnosed.

I am still reading thru the site & it is very helpful & informative. Not to mention everyone on the boards is a huge help when you have a question & want an answer right away.

Have a great day & I hope your appt goes good with your uro.

Marlene :blink:

[ICNDonna]

I quit smoking something like twenty years ago (I've had IC for 29 years). Not only did it make my whole body feel better, it also helped with the bladder irritation. I used Nicorette gum to help me get away from cigarettes.

It's pretty well an established fact that bladder cancer, in addition to lung cancer and heart problems, are significantly more common in smokers.

Warm encouraging hugs,
Donna