Relief!

[jala]

I have had IC for 10 years. I had discovered that Benedryl helped with my symptoms, so I went to an allergist to check for allergies that may contribute to my IC. I took a scratch test, but it was negative.

I continued to have problems with food, so I started an exclusion diet of homemade baked chicken and white organic (not enriched) rice. I soon discovered that one of my triggers was wheat. I had never guessed wheat since it is not a typical IC trigger. After doing some research, I went back to the allergist and requested additional tests for wheat/gluten allergies. My blood test came back positive for wheat. I am plan to do the full gluten testing later.

Since going totally gluten free, I have no more bladder, vulvar, vaginal or other abdominal pain. Who knew that something that I ate at every meal, every day was a major contributor to my IC. The exclusion diet may not be a solution, but it is worth a try. It helped me locate a major problem. Jala.

[amethyst79]

Jala,

I'm thrilled to hear you found something that works for you!

:woohoo:

Chelle

[sleepyangel30]

im so happy that something works for you, i'm taking aloe vera coral caps and it has helped me so much.

[kelly McC]

So happy to hear your getting relief. I hope you continue to be pain free. Best wishes,
Kelly:grouphug:

[Tia2]

Jala,

That is awesome! This is what I mean when I say that no physician will ever be able to know more about your body than you do. I think it's great that you were able to figure out your own solution. I hope I will also someday, if I just keep paying attention to what my body is saying. Take care, Tia

[Daydream]

Jala,

How long did it take staying on a gluten free diet before your pain went away?

[jala]

I started doing the exclusion diet on Jan 1, 2004, but fell off the wagon many times. It ain't easy eaten chicken and rice every day. Even so, I would say that I noticed a change right away and felt noticeably better within just a few weeks. When I fell of the wagon, I could immediately tell because I was constipated by the next day and had pain within 2 days. Constipation always leads to an IC flare for me. It was easy to identify the cause with a food diary.

It is a hard change, but I have been totally gluten free for about a month now. Since going totally gluten free, I have been constipation and pain free. I don't know if the wheat/gluten problem caused my IC, but I feel that the wheat/gluten problem kept me from healing damage in my bladder. Interestingly, I got IC during a period of time when I was eating a diet of fast food and bagels, which led to diarrhea for 1 year straight. For the next 5-6 years, I stayed constipated (with occasional diarrhea) until I recently eliminated gluten.

If I eat high acidity, I can still cause pain, but it is greatly reduced and controllable. I believe this will go away now that I can heal.

Jala.

[Tia2]

My bladder problems started when I was eating a lot of junk food, spending hours a day driving and then spending a lot of time on my feet. I also drank many cokes, little water and have been a lifetime holder.

Did you take antibiotics? I know of a direct link between long term antibiotic use and chronic diarhea for myself. I have not taken an antibiotic since Dec. and am just now having normal bm and appetite.

My main symptom is burning and taking baking soda/prelief has offfered the only relief.

Take care, Tia2

[jala]

Even with IC I can go all day without going to the bathroom. I only have IC and vulvar pain, not the urgency.

I stopped the cokes a long time ago, and the junk food about a year ago. Baking soda and prelief help me, too. I don't take antibiotics. They tried it during my IC testing for a while, but not otherwise. The diet change made the biggest difference. Jala.

[Skyler]

This reminds me of when I was diagnosed with IC 11 years ago. I was very allegic and couldn't eat much of anything. I ended up going on a diet of rice, chicken, and homemade soups. I found a rice almond bread that I loved. I tried the rice pasta but oh...forget that. My doctor gave me a battery of tests and couldn't get over how well my blood work looked being on that diet. Hmmmm, maybe I should go back to that! I started to do a rotation diet...adding a new food every four days. That way, I could tell what food didn't agree with me. I still have the allergies but I am able to manage much better knowing which foods play havoc with my system. Take care..........SKY

[Dixiefireball]

i'm glad you found something that works for you.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda:kiss: