Something good is going on

[Marmotte]

I wouldn't really call it remission.... but something good is going on. I was so tired of not being able to eat fruit, and I decided to eat some apricots. Nothing happened. I was then emboldened to almost gorge myself on apricots, mangoes, strawberries, cherries, and other fruit that I couldn't tolerate before. Nothing happened. So I ate some nuts, a pickle, mayo, and a few other contraband items. Nothing happened. So... I ate a tomato! Still, no consequences.

I am afraid to push it anymore, but I am happy for a little reprieve. I am not sure what is going on, but I did change my drinking water to a non-acidic water. And I quit taking enzymes.

Oddly, my Sjogren's has been kind of acting up, but honestly between the two that is easier to live with than the IC drama.

And maybe I'll have another tomato tomorrow!

[ICNDonna]

Please be just a little cautious about the "contraband items" --- sometimes they can have a cumulative effect. I suggest you take a few days away from those foods, then start them slowly.

I'm glad it seems you may be able to tolerate some fruits.

Donna

[Cassaundra]

Good for you Marmotte!

But I would also take Donna's advice, because I have done what you have done before, and a couple days later when I went to try a contraband item, I flared.

But I am glad you are feeling better!

[Goldfinch]

My flares have always been in response to cumulative infractions; I've rarely been able to identify single-trigger incidents. I would put myself on a very strict diet, then feel better, then start in with a few "sometimes or not usually okay foods." When my system could tolerate some cheating, I would just cheat some more. Then it would catch up with me, and I would go into a tailspin--a flare that could often take weeks to get over.

The diet guidelines are simply based on numbers--a careful compiling of reports by IC sufferers about what they can and can't tolerate. The borders between categories are porous; no two ICers are exactly the same. I'm glad you are enjoying a variety of fruits, but caution is never a bad thing.

The question that always comes up: if I don't flare from eating a "no-no" is it hurting me anyway? No one knows for sure, and long term studies of IC bladders would be required. Lotta puzzles, as you must already know.

[Marmotte]

OK so it was dumb, granted. But I did string out my transgressions over a number of days. Thankfully, no flare.

I'm cautiously trying to introduce a little soy as I desperately need more protein in my diet.

I am doing pretty well so I think the water is helping. I would never have believed that water could cause a problem!

[starflight]

Well water, perhaps it can trigger depending on it's orientation. I wouldn't agree the fruits are bad, after-all they are mostly water right? But what about Prelief? Anyway the real question is whether IC is cumulative and eventually ends badly for everyone, or do the symptoms really stabalize and level off. Indications I've read say both! Ugh what a mysterious disorder.

My theory is that with the more heavily processed foods and early exposure to them we are seeing higher levels of IC because bladders / kidney chi are weakened by the changes in diet (which are not seen by us but are present). I can safely say I hate IC with a passion.

[ICNDonna]

Some fruits will cause a flare in most IC patients. There are some which are okay for me and I do enjoy those. The IC diet information on this site will help learn which ones are okay for you.

My IC was diagnosed in 1975. It did take a while to learn which foods and drinks are a problem for me and which treatment options work best for me, but I feel good most of the time --- I do have to avoid such things as many fruits and fruit juices.

There are times when I'd love to eat an orange, but it just isn't worth the pain it would cause.

Donna

[SharonA]

I also have had to learn to do without my #1 favorite fruit...oranges. I don't think there is an orange grown anywhere on the face of this planet that is worth taking the risk that I might end up with the type of pain I had when I was first diagnosed. Actually, there is nothing worth that risk.

I know that Marmotte is doing this, but I have to put this caution out there for Newbies. Please be careful as you try to add things back into your diet. Do it slowly and not more than one new thing at a time while waiting a few days in between to be sure that item does not cause you problems.

[glassd18]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been around in a while so I hope everyone is good!!

Guilty as charged: I too have had instances where I didn't react right away to an offense food just to have my urethra retaliate in anger a day or so later. With that said, I truly hope you are in remission, and wish you all the best!!!

[Marmotte]

I wasn't trying to be inflammatory or a bad example; I am just quite puzzled by what is going on. It seems so strange that I haven't even told my husband--he would probably assume that I'm "over" this stuff, and I really can't believe that it could be that simple. As much as I would like to.

[Marmotte]

Previously I have had quite strong reactions to just about any fruit, except pears, apples, and blueberries. Which makes this even more puzzling.

[aleet7]

Thank you for sharing this good news with us! I love to hear good news. I too have cheated a bit with a mango here and there and have had no symptoms! I don't have the nerve to try an orange but I have used prelief with the fruit because I would hate for my bladder to retaliate! I've been missing in action around here because my bladder has been feeling pretty good! I think I decided to try the fruit after my uro did a cysto and said that my bladder looked great. I will for the most part remain on my diet because I do realize that I could end up where I started. I hope you continue to feel great(bladder wise)!
Aleet7

[Snowden1]

Marmotte,
How are you doing after all the fruit now?
Teresa

[Marmotte]

I didn't have a reaction from the fruit. I still don't understand why. But I'm not complaining!

[SharonA]

:):):)

[Snowden1]

Marmotte,
Do you think the Elmiron is kicking in?
Teresa

[Marmotte]

Marmotte,
Do you think the Elmiron is kicking in?
Teresa

I'm not taking any meds. Just some vitamins and supplements. I did start some new supplements, but they weren't for IC. I don't know what to think. I do have a little chronic pain, but not like before, where I couldn't sleep because of it. And I don't have the bathroom issues, either (urgency, frequency, and worse).

I'm still expecting it will all come back any minute, but I'm enjoying the reprieve while it lasts.

[Snowden1]

Marmotte,
I hope this brings you lasting remission. What type of supplements are you taking?
Teresa

[Marmotte]

Not much: BioSil, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K-2, and OsteoValin. Oh, I do have one med: Estrace--when I remember to take it.

[musiclover]

It must feel so good ( both physically and mentally) to be having this experience. I sure hope it turns in to a long term remission for you. :woohoo:

[purpleviolet]

OsteoValin has quercetin in it and maybe the silica is helping. Maybe you are building a bladder lining with these supplements or the quercrtin is controlling allergies or inflammation? These supplements help with collagen which may play a part in your bladder lining. Just speculating. I have osteoporosis now so I may need to take supplements like these

[musiclover]

Yay! I hope to be where you are some day soon!!! It must feel so good. Even if I had to stay on this diet my whole life, what I would do to feel symptom-free! Enjoy it, it's gotta feel good!

[Marmotte]

You are an amazing bunch! I am not totally pain free but it is so much better.... For a long time, I could hardly sleep at night because of the pain--I even resorted to hydrocodone a few times just to be able to get some sleep.

Today I had four peaches, and a handful of yellow pear tomatoes. A year ago I would not have dared to eat even one.

I went camping over the weekend, and was terrified that I would have to hike to the loo a bunch of times in the night, but I only had to get up once, so that was a blessing, too.

I still think that the change in my drinking water may be a factor. I am also intrigued with the idea that the quercetin or one of the other supplements might be helping. It would almost make the osteoporosis a blessing in disguise. (Never thought I'd say that.) Anyway, I know there are answers out there for all of us; it's just a matter of working together to find them. I believe we are our own best resource. The doctors are too busy, and the drug companies too caught up in their vested interests. When I go to the doctor, it's for information, more than for advice. And even then, I usually get precious little.

So, thank you for being there!