NewLife
12-15-2008, 06:09 AM
Hi, everyone! I want to let you know that improvement and even remission is possible! My symptoms started in November, 2007, and in August, 2008, I was dignosed with IC and Hunner's ulcers. I was going to the bathroom approximately 15-20 times per day, and about every 15 min. when I had flares. The diagnosis was devastating, but it was also a wake-up call.
Immediately after I was diagnosed, I started making dramatic lifestyle changes. First, I started a detailed diary where I wrote down everything I ate, my symptoms, exercise, medications, sleep patterns and mood. The diary very quickly revealed that I had a major trigger--fermented foods. I cut anything fermented or containing bacteria out of my diet. This included alcohol, especially wine, mushrooms, yogurt, cheese, nuts and seeds, undercooked foods and fruits and berries (these ferment in the stomach). I also stopped eating out and started cooking at home, using only organic and natural foods. I adopted the IC diet with additional restrictions--high animal protein (which I thought would help heal my ulcers), low yeast and low histamine to prevent allergic reactions.
Second, I started taking supplements. I took a Solaray yeast cleanse product for eight weeks. That helped a lot. I also started taking 1000 mg of flax oil to reduce inflammation, 400 mg vit. E to prevent oxidization of Omega-3s in my system (that is said to cause heart disease), 250 mg magnesium (helps the body produce hyaluronic acid, which is a component in the bladder lining), and one tablespoon of seabuckthorn oil once daily on an empty stomach. The seabuckthorn oil is extremely potent for healing wounds and has more omega-3, -6, and -7 than flax oils, as well as a host of other micronutrients. I also took Cystoprotek when I had flares. Later on (in October), I found a multivitamin that I could take (a large, cheap bottle from Costco--don't remember the brand) and started feeling even better. The multivitamin contains 400 mg of folic acid per serving, and folic acid is considered to be beneficial for bacterial vaginosis. I noticed improvement in vaginal issues I had, such as discharge and odor, and also in my IC.
I tried a lot of supplements that did not work or made my symptoms worse, such as Wobenzyme and passionflower extract. The diary really helped identify what worked and what didn't. I also took Elmiron for six weeks, starting immediately after I was diagnosed. I did an expensive blood allergy test, which was not helpful. However, finding the things that worked for me was worth trying all the things that did not work.
Third, I started exercising, doing cardio at least twice a week. I still do step and weight traning. I noticed that my symptoms would disappear for a while after step classes.
Fourth, and this was a very important point, I started changing my mindset. I had a full-time job and a very stressful side job, which I stopped doing for two months and then gradually scaled back into. Now, I balance both but watch the number of hours I work. I also stopped contact with people who were causing me stress and reconnected with people who were positive. I did a lot of soul-searching, reevaluated my priorities in life, faced my fears (total disability from IC) and worked through them. My family rearranged our financial affairs to ensure that we had a backup plan in case I couldn't work because of IC. This gave me peace of mind, which was very important. I intend to maintain the fall-back plan (in my case, it is disability insurance) indefinitely, even if my symptoms don't return. Also, I started using positive affirmations for my IC--you can read about them in Louise Hay's book. And, finally, as a result of all the soul-searching, I realized that there had been things that I really wanted to pursue as a hobby, so I started pursuing them, which resulting in very satisfying creative experiences.
As a result of all this, I became a much different person. Stress does not seem to get to me as much. In fact, given recent developments in the economy and the associated stress, I am surprised at how calm I am. My life is more wholesome and balanced. And, best of all, my symptoms have been gone for two months. Now, I use the bathroom 6-8 times a day. The discomfort is gone, and now I don't feel my bladder at all. The only residual from IC is that I still get up once per night, but I think that is more psychological than IC-related. I don't need melatonin to help me sleep anymore.
My diet is now pretty varied, except there is still no room for highly fermented foods (e.g., wine and brie cheese). I try to focus on foods that have a lot of bioflavonoids to prevent inflammation. I still eat natural and organic, and had alcohol only once (high-quality Gray Goose vodka).
I realize that my remission may be temporary, but I try to enjoy life to the fullest in the meantime.
I hope my story helps and I wish everyone great success! I know I got better because I believed that I would, and that was the most important component in my recovery. I firmly believe that our bodies reflect our thoughts and fears.
Immediately after I was diagnosed, I started making dramatic lifestyle changes. First, I started a detailed diary where I wrote down everything I ate, my symptoms, exercise, medications, sleep patterns and mood. The diary very quickly revealed that I had a major trigger--fermented foods. I cut anything fermented or containing bacteria out of my diet. This included alcohol, especially wine, mushrooms, yogurt, cheese, nuts and seeds, undercooked foods and fruits and berries (these ferment in the stomach). I also stopped eating out and started cooking at home, using only organic and natural foods. I adopted the IC diet with additional restrictions--high animal protein (which I thought would help heal my ulcers), low yeast and low histamine to prevent allergic reactions.
Second, I started taking supplements. I took a Solaray yeast cleanse product for eight weeks. That helped a lot. I also started taking 1000 mg of flax oil to reduce inflammation, 400 mg vit. E to prevent oxidization of Omega-3s in my system (that is said to cause heart disease), 250 mg magnesium (helps the body produce hyaluronic acid, which is a component in the bladder lining), and one tablespoon of seabuckthorn oil once daily on an empty stomach. The seabuckthorn oil is extremely potent for healing wounds and has more omega-3, -6, and -7 than flax oils, as well as a host of other micronutrients. I also took Cystoprotek when I had flares. Later on (in October), I found a multivitamin that I could take (a large, cheap bottle from Costco--don't remember the brand) and started feeling even better. The multivitamin contains 400 mg of folic acid per serving, and folic acid is considered to be beneficial for bacterial vaginosis. I noticed improvement in vaginal issues I had, such as discharge and odor, and also in my IC.
I tried a lot of supplements that did not work or made my symptoms worse, such as Wobenzyme and passionflower extract. The diary really helped identify what worked and what didn't. I also took Elmiron for six weeks, starting immediately after I was diagnosed. I did an expensive blood allergy test, which was not helpful. However, finding the things that worked for me was worth trying all the things that did not work.
Third, I started exercising, doing cardio at least twice a week. I still do step and weight traning. I noticed that my symptoms would disappear for a while after step classes.
Fourth, and this was a very important point, I started changing my mindset. I had a full-time job and a very stressful side job, which I stopped doing for two months and then gradually scaled back into. Now, I balance both but watch the number of hours I work. I also stopped contact with people who were causing me stress and reconnected with people who were positive. I did a lot of soul-searching, reevaluated my priorities in life, faced my fears (total disability from IC) and worked through them. My family rearranged our financial affairs to ensure that we had a backup plan in case I couldn't work because of IC. This gave me peace of mind, which was very important. I intend to maintain the fall-back plan (in my case, it is disability insurance) indefinitely, even if my symptoms don't return. Also, I started using positive affirmations for my IC--you can read about them in Louise Hay's book. And, finally, as a result of all the soul-searching, I realized that there had been things that I really wanted to pursue as a hobby, so I started pursuing them, which resulting in very satisfying creative experiences.
As a result of all this, I became a much different person. Stress does not seem to get to me as much. In fact, given recent developments in the economy and the associated stress, I am surprised at how calm I am. My life is more wholesome and balanced. And, best of all, my symptoms have been gone for two months. Now, I use the bathroom 6-8 times a day. The discomfort is gone, and now I don't feel my bladder at all. The only residual from IC is that I still get up once per night, but I think that is more psychological than IC-related. I don't need melatonin to help me sleep anymore.
My diet is now pretty varied, except there is still no room for highly fermented foods (e.g., wine and brie cheese). I try to focus on foods that have a lot of bioflavonoids to prevent inflammation. I still eat natural and organic, and had alcohol only once (high-quality Gray Goose vodka).
I realize that my remission may be temporary, but I try to enjoy life to the fullest in the meantime.
I hope my story helps and I wish everyone great success! I know I got better because I believed that I would, and that was the most important component in my recovery. I firmly believe that our bodies reflect our thoughts and fears.