Flare Ups

[nat29]

What do you do during a Flare Up?

Rest?
Not exercise?
Water?

Please Help

[leelee88]

Rest, lots of water and have just learned that Prosed-Ds works great for me! Also when it is really bad I go in for a rescue instill.

[VickiB]

At the first sign of a flare coming on I drink a full glass of spring water. As long as the flare continues I keep my water consumption higher than my norm.

Having a tendency to push the limit diet-wise, I revert to eating only foods I know are completely safe for me.

I take it easy, passing on any exercise or any physical activity that puts strain on my bladder area.

Warmth seems to help, so I'll veg out on the couch with a movie and heating pad. I also like to sit in a very warm bath with a book of crossword puzzles.

If the flare gets especially nasty I will take AZO or Uristat and/or baking soda in water. (Be careful of the baking soda if your diet is sodium restricted)

After these steps I just grit my teeth and hang in there best I can until it passes. Flares are never any fun!

Vicki

[formom]

How long does everyone's flares usually last?

[monica78]

With my flares it really depends on what sets it off. Stress is my worst flare so it seems like it flares me for the longest. Also since I came off my birth control pills I flare the entire week of my period and also for a few days during ovulation. Depending on the food trigger I flare for a few days or for a couple of weeks. The lidocaine gel is wonderful and I could not live without my heating pad. I also use pain meds when I just can't get it under control.
Katrina has a wonderful thread on here about flares. I don't know how to put on this thread but hopefully someone else can.

[VickiB]

My short flares consist of about 5 - 6 hours of really intense symptoms, followed by another 24 hours of minor irritation. My worst flare this year ran almost three weeks. UGH! -Don't need to do one of those again anytime soon! Most for me, on average, last about 2-3 days.

I would say the same as Monica, the duration of my flares seem to depend on what triggered it, with stress bringing on the worst.

Vicki

[formom]

Thanks, in a way that is good to know. I hope this flare ends soon since last Wednesday:( My longest flare yet while being on Elmiron. Have a good one!

[Pumpkinsmom]

My flares last for at least 2 months! Of course, I am not taking any prescribed medication or anything. I have read other suggestions of Marshmallow Root Tea and MSM/Glucosamine.

[purpleviolet]

Honestly even though I am an herb freak and I grow and dry my own marshmallow root (which I think doesn't hurt but a few cups of tea of it doesn't help much), if the flare is lasting awhile I have to resort to at least a strong pain pill or if I know I have to do something stressful the next day or two then prosed/ds and a low dose of valium (5 mgs) at night to sleep. Sometimes I try to anticipate a situation and I will start these meds before so when I get to the stressful time I feel secure that I will feel better. My IC is variable between just frequency and low level discomfort (unless there is no bathroom!) and constant pain. PV

[BellaLuna]

a super hot shower or bath works well. Also a happy movie while munching on rice crunch'ems cereal and hot water with a little vanilla and baking soda. I will also take aloe pills and extra elmiron. Think happy thoughts!! Also no abdominal exercises or straining.

[kellymh]

Hi,

I take xanax when my flares are at night. I drink lots of water and if it is during the week I call my accupuncturist. She is helping me tremendously. I have been going for six months and my flares were down until lately due to lots of medicine because of surgery. I have had a bad weekend and I went today and I have had no pain since I got home. I take ditropan and do increase it also when things get bad. I sometimes switch for a week to enablex and then back to ditropan. It is a bit stronger and does settle my bladder down. I use ice and then the heating pad. My pelvic area spasms terrible. when I am flaring. I hope you get some relief soon. Everyone uses something different. Good luck on finding what helps you cope!

Kelly