Flares?

[stylnmom]

Can people tell me what a "flare" is? What are the symptoms?

[Holly G.]

A flare in when your symptoms are increased by something you either ate, or some other factor...stress...a car ride...sex..etc. A flare can bring on intense pain for some along with increased frequency, burnning,urgency..etc. A flare can feel a lot like a bladder infection. It sucks.

For me, I get an increased feelings of having to go along with a bladder burn type symptom. I do not usually get pain, but they can be very painful for some.

Hope this helps, everyone is a little different so you might hear something else once more people chime in.

Hope you are having a good day.

[Renee26]

im sooo glad someone asked this question! i was just diagnosed last week, and have been reading all about diet, and just a ton of information. i can almost swear that after a cup of coffee yesterday morning, i had a RAGING bladder infection. thats just how it felt, and i wondered if thats what a flare was. i never had troubles with coffee before, but with tons of new medication..and fastly increasing symptoms, i am going to definitely pay closer attention to the diet, and i think i know now what a flare is. for me it was: painful urge, burning, frequency, but little urine when i did go to the restroom.

HOLLY- is there anything we can do when we get a flare? i immediately took one of my Proced pills, but i was in pain, and felt like i wanted to panic, especially since i was at work. thanks :pray:

[Rocklandgal]

For me a flare is when I feel pretty "normal" and because of food, stress, activity, etc. I feel really bad. Walking around pain increases, frequency increases, and painful urination increases. Some flares take forever to leave. Some can go away faster. When they are done, I feel "normal" again. This is how a flare is to me.
Karen

[Holly G.]

For me, I take AZO, drink a lot of water and might even try a little baking soda in water. There are directions on the box. It is high in sodium so be careful if you are on a sodium restricted diet.

Others might have more ideas, I'm still pretty new to IC since I was diagnosed last month, but my symptoms have gotten worse in the last few weeks.

Before-I didn't have to watch what I ate, now I do. : (

I really hope you start feeling better soon. It's an awful feeling, I know.
Make a note of everything you eat so that you can see a pattern.

Hugs!!!!! :)

[stylnmom]

I feel awkward asking this question ...but when I experience a flare; it’s not only my bladder but burning sensation around my rectal area...is this normal for IC patients?

[Holly G.]

Hmm..I get some mild burning there too, but I have been getting some mild burning down there a lot recently. It's almost similar to a yeast infection, but I was tested and it came up negative.

Don't ever feel weird about asking...I've heard it all here. You can also private message someone too if that makes it easier. : )

[Renee26]

ok-glad the yeast infection subject came up...before i was diagnosed with IC i kept thinking i was getting vaginal infections, but was testing normal, no bacterial infection, or yeast infection. sooo frustrating...with the recent flare, i again had these other symptoms...my regular (pre IC) dr doctor suggested an anti-fungal medication, like a jock itch cream for external irritation? wonder if that would help?

my cysto/hydro was last week and i have my first follow up tuesday with my urologist...i will ask her all about this and what she suggests. i didnt realize it was all connected.

so thankful we can speak so openly here, i have felt so embarassed and alone and having this outlet brings the biggest relief!

[Precious831]

When I flare I get urgency and pain and some major back pain. I notice sometimes I get very gassy, kind of like I'm having indigestion. I have pelvic pain too when I flare, my whole pelvic area feels painful.

I never thought of yeast infection or bacterial infection causing some of the pain. Is there a kit I can get to test these at home?

Thanks.

[Rocklandgal]

There is not much that we should be embarrassed about here. We are all in the same boat.
Karen

[nottoc4]

I get burning around the vaginal opening. My GYN gavr me Clobetasol cortisine cream to use 4 times a day and it works pretty well. I also use it after sex with my husband...it stops the "rubbing" feeling. I know I'm in a flare by increased frequency and pain in the lower belly on the right.Baking soda does help me.

[Kathig]

:idea: Have you purchased any info from the shop here? I ordered the started kit. there is a booklet on flares. I was only diagnosed in the last month as well. I had a flare this week and have been dealing with it. It walks you thru it hourly. It has helped me greatly. I used Prerelief and Pyridium. Drank a glass of water to dilute my urine. Lie down and elavate my feet. Used ice or heat. That was the first hour. Then it gives steps for hour 2 and 3 if you don't have relief in hour 1. I just keep repeating. Mine, so far seems to be from food and not getting enough rest. Heat seems to be a factor as well.

I have had my 2nd Heparin cocktail this week. I have not seen much relief from it due to the flair. Last week was much better. I also started the Elmiron/Elavil/Atarax last week which is when I got my official diagonosis after my PST test.

I was told that there is an elimination diet that can be ordered can someone direct me to that?