Hey, a big questions post...be kind and answer, would you?

[Calli]

Hi, I know we have a list of foods on this site and so on but just indulge me and answer these questions for me. It’s something for me, to help me personally and I would appreciate very much if you would take the time and help me. You are over in USA so maybe some names are different here than over there, but I think you will have no problems with recognizing the food. Love ya :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tell me which of these foods don't work for you?

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products
Veggie Lasagna
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA?
Cheese
Cottage cheese
Aged cheese
Mozzarella
Capers
Olives
Pickles
Tofu/Soya
Butter
Margarine
Eggs (Fresh or cooked)
Crackers
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it)
Corn bread
White bread
Pumpkin oil
Olive oil
Sunflower oil
Garlic
Basil
Oregano
Salt
Pepper
Vinegar
Sugar
Coriander
Vegetarian bouillon
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked)
Garlic (Fresh or cooked)
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked)
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked)
Onions (Fresh or cooked)
Paprika (Fresh or cooked)
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked)
Radishes (Fresh or cooked)
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol)
Peas
Black (Mexican) beans
Corn
Mushrooms
Maple syrup
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed)
Milk
Vanilla Milk
Chocolate Milk
Strawberry Milk
Bottled water
Camilla Tea
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores)
Apples
Bananas
Peaches
Watermelon
Kiwi
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack?
2. Do you smoke? If you do, does smoking make your IC worse?
3. Do you exercise? Which sport? What kind of exercises? How much?
4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? Does it help?
5. Do you work/study? What is your occupation? Is it full time /part time? How far is your work from your home? How do you get there?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks,

:kiss:

Calli

[creatingkarma]

Wow! What a list of food! Everyone is different in what they can or can't eat with the IC diet. I strongly recommend that you try this for yourself, but since you're wanting to know & I have nothing else to do, I will go through your list for you & tell you my food limits.

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products - OK without sauce. I top my pasta with olive oil & garlic.

Veggie Lasagna - no tomatoes or sauce again

Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA? no sour cream

Cheese - American or velveeta is ok for me

Cottage cheese - OK

Aged cheese - NO

Mozzarella - NO

Capers - don't know what that is

Olives - don't like them & don't eat them anyway

Pickles - NO - they are canned in vinegar which is bad for IC

Tofu/Soya - NO - soy products are bad for IC

Butter - OK

Margarine - OK

Eggs (Fresh or cooked) - OK

Crackers - OK

Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) - what is that?

Corn bread - ok

White bread - ok

Pumpkin oil - what is that?

Olive oil - oh yeah! LOVE IT!

Sunflower oil - ok

Garlic - LOVE IT!

Basil - OK

Oregano - OK

Salt - OK

Pepper - questionable

Vinegar - NO

Sugar - some say yes, some say no

Coriander - is that the same as cumin? I don't think so.

Vegetarian bouillon - does it have MSG or citric acid in it? If so, NO.

Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked) - OK but no dressing with vinegar in it

Garlic (Fresh or cooked) - eat it all the time (this is a repeat, btw)

Potatoes (Fresh or cooked) - OK

Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) - NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

Onions (Fresh or cooked) - I don't think so

Paprika (Fresh or cooked) - I don't think so, but I don't know.

Cucumber (Fresh or cooked) - OK

Radishes (Fresh or cooked) - don't eat them, so I don't know

Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol) - Green beans? Is that what you're talking about? I think all veggies are ok except for tomatoes.

Peas - ok

Black (Mexican) beans - I think some beans give people problems

Corn - OK

Mushrooms - OK

Maple syrup - usually has citric acid added. You can get organic kind that is good.

Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) - OH NO NO NO!

Milk - OK

Vanilla Milk - ? Depends on if you're using real vanilla or a powdered immitation/chemical mix.

Chocolate Milk - NO

Strawberry Milk - NO

Bottled water - OK

Camilla Tea - chamomile tea? Only if it contains only chamomile - no added lemon flavor or citric acid or anything & no caffiene. I drink a brand called Traditional Medicinals which is true chamomile.

Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways - no idea

Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) - NO JUICE!

Apples - I hear that Fuji apples are ok, but all others are out.

Bananas - no

Peaches - no

Watermelon - yes

Kiwi - no

Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? NO. Vitamin C & the artificial coloring & additives will cause a flare. I've seen a previous post about vitamins that are tollerable - do a search.


I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU READ ABOUT THE IC DIET ON THE WEBSITE: http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/diet.html

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? 5 minutes to a day afterwards

2. Do you smoke? If you do, does smoking make your IC worse? Yes I smoke. It probably does make it worse (that's what I hear anyway).

3. Do you exercise? Which sport? What kind of exercises? How much? I am unable to exercise because of pain.

4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? Does it help? Anti-depressants, valium, & frequent psychiatrist visits. Music & painting are my only loves that give me peace of mind. I am still depressed, but I have tried to quit the meds in the past & have hit bottom, so they definitely help - they just don't take it all away.

5. Do you work/study? What is your occupation? Is it full time /part time? How far is your work from your home? How do you get there? I am a stay at home mom. I am unable to work due to my health.

Karma

[amaris]

I agree with Karma. The patient handbook has a list of IC friendly foods. You may consider trying an elimination diet to figure out what foods may trigger flares for you.


What I've tried and can eat from your list:

Tortellini
Sour creme-small amount
Aged cheese-cheddar
Mozzarella
Butter
Eggs (Fresh or cooked)
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it)-whole wheat and rye bread without preservatives
Corn bread-homemade
Olive oil
Garlic-cooked
Basil
Oregano
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked)
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked)
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked)-only recently can eat small amount of spaghetti sauce with Prelief and no flares
Paprika (Fresh or cooked)
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked)
Peas
Corn
Maple syrup
Milk
Bottled water
Apples-gala and pink lady
Watermelon
Additional supplements-Prelief

1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? usually by 2 hours

2. Do you smoke? No

3. Do you exercise? when my IC was at its worst (and I only have mild symptoms compared to others) I could only walk. Not too fast of a pace for 30 minutes about 3 times a week. I can do a lot more now.

4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? Does it help?I've met with a psychologist that gave me a guided meditation I use. this has been helpful in reducing stress in my life.

5. Do you work/study? Full time graduate student in cancer biology-so I'm in the lab all day long. I have a 25 minute commute by car. when in a flare I use a pillow for sitting at work and in the car, or stand a lot more at work. I use a wooden clothes pin to keep my seatbelt from tightening up too tight across my bladder (a trick I learned from ICNDonna).

[Dixiefireball]

before reading this please note that i can eat more things now then i could a year ago.

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products NO
Veggie Lasagna NO
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA? YES
Cheese YES
Cottage cheese YES
Aged cheese YES
Mozzarella YES
Capers SORRY DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS
Olives YES
Pickles YES
Tofu/Soya NO
Butter YES
Margarine YES
Eggs (Fresh or cooked) YES
Crackers MOST.
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) NOT SURE
Corn bread ONLY IF MADE MY WAY
White bread YES
Pumpkin oil NOT SURE
Olive oil YES
Sunflower oil YES
Garlic YES
Basil YES
Oregano YES
Salt YES
Pepper YES
Vinegar A SMALL AMOUNT
Sugar MOSTLY YES
Coriander NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS SORRY
Vegetarian bouillon NEVER TRIED IT.
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked) YES
Garlic (Fresh or cooked) YES
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked) YES
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) HOMEGROWN ONLY
Onions (Fresh or cooked) YES
Paprika (Fresh or cooked) NO
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked) YES
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) NO
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol) NOT SURE
Peas I DON'T LIKE PEAS SORRY
Black (Mexican) beans NO
Corn YES
Mushrooms YES
Maple syrup YES
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) NO WAY
Milk YES
Vanilla Milk HAVENT TRIED IT.
Chocolate Milk A SMALL AMOUNT
Strawberry Milk NO
Bottled water YES
Camilla Tea NO TEA LIKES ME
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways NO
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) NO WAY
Apples FRESH APPLES YES
Bananas YES
Peaches ON THE TREE NOT OUT OF THE CAN YES
Watermelon YES BUT BOY DOES IT MAKE ME PEE. LOL
Kiwi YES I LOVE IT
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? NO

1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? WITH IN 5 MINS TO AN HOUR

2. Do you smoke?YES
you do, does smoking make your IC worse? NO
3. Do you exercise?
YES
SWIMMING I TRY TO DO IT DAILY

The patient handbook is the best place to start like the others has said.
what i done was made my own IC as i have gotten some better i have been able to add things back into my diet.

I still have chornic IC but most of the time I can keep alot of it under control.

[tigger_gal]

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products --- NOT IC Friendly try prelief it helps.. don't eat it often

Veggie Lasagna ----never tried it

Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA? -- rarely
Cheese ---no problems
Cottage cheese-- yuck
Aged cheese-- yuck
Mozzarella---- mmm no problems
Capers---?? whats this
Olives ---- do not eat them
Pickles---- oh no bladder hell
Tofu/Soya--- do not eat it
Butter-- no problems
Margarine--- no problems
Eggs (Fresh or cooked)- sorry I hate eggs
Crackers--- no problems
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it)--- never had it
Corn bread- m love corn bread, too long to remeber
White bread- no problems
Pumpkin oil--- don't use it
Olive oil-- don't use it
Sunflower oil-- don't use it
Garlic-- no cant eat that
Basil--- dunno
Oregano--- dunno
Salt--- no problems
Pepper- not a lot of it
Vinegar- don't know
Sugar--- no problems
Coriander- dunno
Vegetarian bouillon- never had it
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked)-- no problems
Garlic (Fresh or cooked)--- no
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked)-- no problems
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked)-- no not at all
Onions (Fresh or cooked) rarely not ic friendly
Paprika (Fresh or cooked)--- ocassoinly
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked)... mmm I don't think it bothers me
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) on no
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol)dunno
Peas don't like
Black (Mexican) beans dunno
Corn not ic friendly
Mushrooms dont eat
Maple syrup.. rarely
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) on no
Milk no problems
Vanilla Milk ??
Chocolate Milk.. rarely chocolate is not ic friendly
Strawberry Milk never had it
Bottled water Dasni
Camilla Tea never had it
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways dunno
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) non acid juice
Apples rarely
Bananas no
Peaches havent had any in like forever
Watermelon no :(
Kiwi mmm but no :(
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? don't take any

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? sometimes right away or as late as the next day and them you have to figure out what it was

2. Do you smoke? yes sssshh
If you do, does smoking make your IC worse? I don't know but understand it as a yes
3. Do you exercise? no
Which sport?
What kind of exercises? How much?

4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? Does it help? sleep
5. Do you work/study? What is your occupation? Is it full time /part time? How far is your work from your home? How do you get there? on ssd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:kiss: brat

[tillysav]

Tell me which of these foods don't work for you?

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products -NO NO!
Veggie Lasagna -NO TOMATO
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA? -YES
Cheese -YES VELVETA
Cottage cheese -YES
Aged cheese -NO
Mozzarella -YES
Capers -YES
Olives -YES
Pickles -NO
Tofu/Soya -NO
Butter -YES
Margarine -YES
Eggs (Fresh or cooked) -YES
Crackers -YES
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) -YES
Corn bread -YES
White bread -YES
Pumpkin oil -YES
Olive oil -YES
Sunflower oil -YES
Garlic -NEVER EAT IT
Basil -YES
Oregano -YES
Salt -YES
Pepper -YES
Vinegar -NO NO NO!
Sugar -YES
Coriander -NO
Vegetarian bouillon - HAVE NOT TRIED
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked) -YES
Garlic (Fresh or cooked) -HAVE NOT TRIED
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked) -YES
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) -NO, THE WORST!
Onions (Fresh or cooked) -YES
Paprika (Fresh or cooked) -YES
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked) -YES
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) -HAVE NOT TRIED
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol) -YES
Peas -YES
Black (Mexican) beans -YES
Corn -YES
Mushrooms -YES
Maple syrup -YES
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) -YIKES, NO!
Milk -YES
Vanilla Milk -YES
Chocolate Milk -NO:(
Strawberry Milk -NO
Bottled water -YES
Camilla Tea -NO
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways -NO TEAS
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) -NO
Apples -YES, ROMA
Bananas -NO
Peaches -NO
Watermelon -YES
Kiwi -NO
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? -ESTER C, VIT E, CALCIUM

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? -IMMEDIATELY TO TWO HOURS
2. Do you smoke? -NO If you do, does smoking make your IC worse?
3. Do you exercise? -YES Which sport? What kind of exercises? How much? -3 TIMES A WEEK STAIRMASTER & WEIGHTS (BUT NOT IF I AM IN BAD PAIN)
4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? Does it help? HAVE FAITH, THANK GOD EVERYDAY, LIFE IS A GIFT:thumbsup:
5. Do you work/study? -YES What is your occupation? -EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Is it full time /part time? -FULL TIME How far is your work from your home? -10 MINUTES How do you get there? -DRIVE

[Jen_Cole]

Calli-I sent a copy of an elimination diet to Jill. I'm not sure if she's posted it yet, but the way it works is you eliminate a certain group of foods from your diet for 5 days. Then, if no improvement, resume those foods and eliminate the foods in the next group. There are a total of 11 groups. If you have improvement after eliminating a certain group, then that group of foods might be what's causing some irritation to your bladder. See if Jill can send it to you-or if not, I can try to email it to you. (I say 'try' because I've had trouble sending it out before, lol!)

[JAMIEL]

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products no sauce
Veggie Lasagna depends on what is in it
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA? no
Cheese only american, cream cheese & cottage cheese
Cottage cheese yes
Aged cheese no
Mozzarella no
Capers havent tried
Olives no
Pickles no
Tofu/Soya NOOOOO
Butter yes
Margarine yes
Eggs (Fresh or cooked) havent had since on no list for IC
Crackers no
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) just don't
Corn bread havent tried
White bread only eat wheat bread
Pumpkin oil ?
Olive oil yes
Sunflower oil ?
Garlic yes
Basil yes
Oregano yes
Salt yes
Pepper not sure
Vinegar no
Sugar try to avoid
Coriander ?
Vegetarian bouillon as long as there is no msg
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked) yes
Garlic (Fresh or cooked) yes
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked) yes
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) dont eat at all no no on IC diet
Onions (Fresh or cooked) don't eat at all no no on IC diet
Paprika (Fresh or cooked) not sure
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked) yes
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) ?
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol) I dont know
Peas dont like
Black (Mexican) beans no
Corn yes
Mushrooms yes
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) NO WAY!!!!!!
Milk yes
Vanilla Milk no
Chocolate Milk no
Strawberry Milk no
Bottled water YES
Camilla Tea no
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways ?
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) no way
Apples no no IC diet
Bananas no no IC diet
Peaches no no IC diet
Watermelon no no IC diet
Kiwi ?
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? Quercitin

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? varies
2. Do you smoke? If you do, does smoking make your IC worse?
3. Do you exercise? Which sport? What kind of exercises? How much? cant exercise with IC & PFD yet
4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? Does it help? DRUGS, helps
5. Do you work/study? What is your occupation? Is it full time /part time? How far is your work from your home? How do you get there? Mother of three
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[kadi]

Foods that don't agree with my bladder, here you go!

Veggie Lasagna-no, but I make an excellent zucchini pie with italian seasonings!
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA?-wow, really gave me an awful flare
Cheese - no
Aged cheese-nope
Capers - haven't tried
Olives - haven't tried
Pickles - haven't tried
Tofu/Soya- am allergic to soy
Crackers - some ok, some not
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) -haven't tried
White bread some ok, some not.
Pumpkin oil - haven't tried
Vinegar - no
Coriander - haven't tried
Vegetarian bouillon -wouldn't try due to soy allergy
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) -no
Onions (Fresh or cooked) - very, very bad
Paprika - no & being of Hungarian descent this is very very sad!!!
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked)- ok, great with cottage cheese as dressing
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) haven't tried
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol)-allergic to beans
Peas - allergic
Black (Mexican) beans-allergic
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed)-no way, wouldn't even try!
Vanilla Milk -?
Chocolate Milk-nope, chocolate doesn't agree with my bladder:(
Strawberry Milk-no
Bottled water-some brands okay, if flaring, I drink distilled
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways-no
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores)-no, only fruit juice I can drink is Trader Joe brand 100% bartlett pear juice
Apples - haven't tried since I got sick
Bananas -okay
Peaches - haven't tried since I got sick
Watermelon - have always hated it
Kiwi - haven't tried since I got sick.
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? Prelief only

One unfortunate fact about American food is that many of our foods contain acidic preservatives because most Americans like to shop once a week or less often and do their shopping at large grocery and warehouse stores. I found the food in Europe to be far fresher & contained far less additives than here.

Many foods I can eat, but only if I carefully read the product label to make sure they do not contain "citric" or "sorbic" acid or "metabisulfite". It's outrageous how many foods contain acid even if they do not "look" acidic!

I can go into a flare as fast as 20 minutes after eating a no-no food or it can take a few hours & grow more miserable gradually.

For exercise, I walk on flat ground, and occasionally attend yoga classes with a very kind instructor who knows about my IC and adapts exercises for me:) I love her -what an angel!!

For my emotional health, I meet once a week with a Stephen Minister (lay counselor from my church) for talks & prayer and I talk every few weeks with a minister whose wife has IC (they were my neighbors when I was growing up). I also read inspirational books and listen to cassettes on healing. I like Bernie Siegel's tapes a lot. (He writes about cancer patients who have had dramatic cases of healing).

About my career - I am a high school teacher & work about 6 miles from home. It's a 15 minute drive in the morning, about 25 minute drive in the late afternoon. Tomorrow is the first day of my summer holiday!!! I'll have 10 weeks off. Hooray!

[VickiB]

spaghetti, macaroni, etc - yes,...any tomato sauce on it- BIG NO!
Veggie Lasagna- never tried, (if it has tomato sauce then NO!)
Sour creme- Tried that last night, no.
cheese - yes
Cottage cheese - yes
Aged cheese - haven't tried since diagnosis
Mozzarella - yes
Capers - Haven't tried
Olives - Haven't tried
Pickles - No way!
Tofu - ICK!
Butter - yes
Margarine - yes
Eggs - yes
Crackers - yes
Black Bread - unsure of what that is
Corn Bread - Haven't tried
White bread - yes
Pumpkin oil - Haven't even heard of!
Olive oil - yes
Sunflower oil - yes
Garlic - Have only tried in very small amounts, and no problem
Basil - yes
Oregano - yes
Salt - yes
Pepper - yes
Vinegar - Big NO!
Sugar - yes
Coriander - yes
Veggy Bullion - Never tried
Salad/ lettuce - yes
Potatoes - yes
Tomatoes - NO!
Onions - in small amounts, cooked - yes
Paprika - yes
Cucumber - haven't tried
Radish - haven't tried
Green beans - yes
Peas - yes
Black beans - haven't tried
Corn - yes
Mushrooms - yes
Maple syrup - yes
Orange Juice - No way!
Milk - yes
Vanilla milk - Haven't tried
Chocolate or strawberry milk - Haven't tried
Bottled water - yes
Camilla tea- Haven't tried
Herbal urologic tea - Never heard of
Fruit Juices - Don't have the courage to even try!
Apples - haven't tried
Bananas - haven't tried
Peaches - haven't tried
Watermelon - haven't tried
Kiwi - haven't tried
Vitamin tablets - yes

All the "haven't tried" above means that since eliminating possible problem foods from my diet, I've yet to try these items again to see if they're trigger foods for me.

How long between eating to OUCH? Anywhere from three hours to a half day generally.

Do you smoke? Used to, quit in '97. I believe I already was well into IC at that time, (un-diagnosed), But can't say I noticed any improvement of IC symptoms from quitting.

I usually walk a mile or so ever day. I live in the mountains, so it's not an easy walk,...either uphill or downhill at any given time.

What do I do to relax? Paint.

Occupation? Wildlife artist, Have studio at home so just a short walk to work!

[Calli]

Originally posted by Jen_Cole
Calli-I sent a copy of an elimination diet to Jill. I'm not sure if she's posted it yet, but the way it works is you eliminate a certain group of foods from your diet for 5 days. Then, if no improvement, resume those foods and eliminate the foods in the next group. There are a total of 11 groups. If you have improvement after eliminating a certain group, then that group of foods might be what's causing some irritation to your bladder. See if Jill can send it to you-or if not, I can try to email it to you. (I say 'try' because I've had trouble sending it out before, lol!)

Yes, please send it to me. I REALLY want to check that.

To everybody else, thanks for replies, keep em coming but I saw that site about the diet, read it carefully and got some usefull info, but mostly it doesn't make sense to ME.
So what you see in my original post, is what I usually eat. Im vegetarian, I never drank coffee or coke or so, I never drank alco (only Martini and I stopped with it for now), I don't like teas or fried food...... but the way you all describe your flares, I just don't have that, even if I eat tomatoe (God, I hope I won't get that now, lol). Either if I eat all of that or not eat it, totaly without any reason I get problems sometimes and sometimes I just don't. I ate Mexican last week and there must have been like 70% of forbidden foods in there and nothing happened.
Im a little bit lost here so I decided to see what of mine food things makes others worse. Its my logic, I know, but eventually it will make sense to me.
But from 5 mins to a couple of hours to next day: I never have such a reaction to any kind of food. Oooo, I hope I never do, I already eat so little of things and as a vegetarian I especially like tomatoes, tofu and fruits and such things.

*hugs and kisses*

[ICNDonna]

Tomatoes and most fruits are a problem for most people with IC. I know I can't tolerate any fruits except pears, blueberries, mild apples, blackberries.

If you're routinely eating tomatoes or fruits and fruit juices, that could be a big part of the pain you feel a lot of the time. You might try eliminating all of the potential problem foods from your diet for a week or two just to see if you feel better.

Donna

[Calli]

I did that and it changed nothing. I actually did it for a month. Also, I don't have pain in my bladder, I have it mostly on my left or right side, where the UT pathways are, and sometimes even in my kidneys. Thats why my Uro is a little bit confused with me, my Bladder also doesn't look like it is IC and I have bacteria in urin here and there and do feel better after taking antibiotics but urinocultures are always negative.
Anyway, back to the food: there is no pattern that I can find in my eating habbits. Just before the operation on the 20th of april I was drinking freshly squeezed juice and additional vitamines and only vitamine C to bring my body up for the op. And I had not even one episode, I felt fine. Then other times I eat nothing of that and I get burning in my urethra.

I tell you, Donna, I read all the sites about this diet thing and am more confused than ever. The food doesn't seem to be the treager for me... or I must be missing something but I am such a pedantic, controlled person I don't know how I could have missed something.

*bad mood* And now I just feel really uncomfortable eating anything, I have all the time in the back of my mind if this is somehow hurting me.

[Calli]

oh, oh... and what about MAYO, KETCHUP, MUSTARD?

Plus: this are capres:

http://www.bienmanger.com/images/33/legum/capre.jpg

And pumpkin Oil is made out of pumkin seed: HERE (http://www.rapunzel.com/products/rapunzel/rapunzel_oil_pumpkin.html)

I ADORE PUMPKIN OIL, I get it from Slovenia, where my father buys it at the biological farm and is totaly home made, no chemicals. I can't eat a salad without, I have to call my father again to buy it for me and ship it, I went out of supply like 2 months ago already! And now is salads season!!!!

[kadi]

Mayo or ketchup - can have a tiny amount (1 tsp) if I take 3 preliefs with it & dilute it by having it as part of a large "safe" meal. When I go out to eat, I am safest eating a "dry" hamburger (nothing but burger, lettuce, bun) and french fries with the teaspoon ketchup, a vanilla milkshake & 3 preliefs.

I am very tired of eating burgers when going out, but I tried a hoagy sandwich (hot roast beef on roll with lettuce) on Thursday & I'm still paying for it... Flare started 25 minutes later & is better, but am still not back to the way I felt before it & it's now Saturday. (Don't know why, it should have been bland enough).

Mustard - haven't tried it.

Pumpkin oil - am very allergic to pumpkin seeds (but oddly enough, not to pumpkin itself), so probably wouldn't try it.

Hope you get some answers soon. I know for me, I did not feel any improvement on the diet til I ate the blandest foods in the left hand column of the ICN 3column diet - for 3 weeks. Then my pain reduced down so I could feel a sharp increase after eating a no-no... (But the diet alone did not eliminate all the pain).
Don't know if that helps you at all.

Wishing you better days soon.

[Sheryle]

Hey, I'm basically the new kid on the block. I was diagnosed in January and am trying to educate myself about all this IC stuff. The foods that I notice are no-no's are tomatoes, citrus fruits and juices, spicy seasonings and carbonated drinks. I can feel a difference within about an hour if I eat/drink any of those. It's a learning process but I'm getting there. By the way, my husband and I were in Amsterdam last week. We LOVE Europe. We went to Vienna, Austria where my hubby preached for a week. Then we traveled to Budapest, Hungary and on to Salsberg and Ausbert, Germany. The weather was wonderful and I loved everything about it. I only wished a thousand times that I could speak German. I did pretty good on the trip as far as the IC but my doc was kind enough prescribe med's that made it more bearable. Trust you'll do better and better.

[heybrej]

The only foods that i really notice a difference with are soda's, spicy things, coffee/tea and acidic juices. Im still experimenting with tomatoe products...Anyways, after I consume one of these, i usually feel pain within about 15 mins to an hour.

Smoke? No way
Excersize- rarley. it hurts when i "strech" my bladder, but overall, no pain or gain for the IC

As for coping with pain. It its really bad, I will take a pain pill (darvocet usually). I dont know how much it helps, but I feel like i DID something to stop the pain, which makes me feel better. I also love taking baths, it feels so good on my burning urethra/bladder

I am an office assistant for a real estate company, which is a lot easier on the IC compared to being a waitress which i did for the previous 9 months. Also, my employer is really good about letting me leave early or just take it easy and slow my workload

[blue]

When I eat a food that causes a flare, I usually notice right away.

I didn't used to think that food bothered me. In my initial doctors exam, I told him that food didn't bother me. Once I studied up, and learned about the IC diet, I became more aware. I began by eliminating just about everything. Then, when I ate something, if I was in pain shortly after, it became a no, no!

My biggest problems are tomatoes, ( I love tomatoe's), Coke, and Coffee! These are all items that I love. I'm allergic to wheat and dairy, even before the IC! So, when I induldge, I really pay for it!

You would think that I could loose some more weight with all the diet restrictions!

[Kitten215]

Hey! Im new at the diet too! but i no that ALL fruits but watermelon, pears, hunney dew melon, and blue berrys on my i get pain from. I also have trouble with dies, fake flavors, soda, aged cheese, chocolate, and so much more if you want more stuff just let me no. or if you find anything that gives you trouble let me know!!!!!! good luck! :D

[Gaby1]

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products, Yes
Veggie Lasagna, yes
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA?, yes
Cheese, yes
Cottage cheese, yes
Aged cheese, yes
Mozzarella, yes
Capers, yes
Olives, yes
Pickles, yes
Tofu/Soya, NO
Butter, yes
Margarine, yes
Eggs (Fresh or cooked), yes
Crackers, yes
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it), NO
Corn bread, yes
White bread, yes
Pumpkin oil, N/A
Olive oil, yes
Sunflower oil, NO
Garlic, yes
Basil, NO
Oregano, NO
Salt, yes
Pepper, yes
Vinegar, NO
Sugar, yes
Coriander, yes
Vegetarian bouillon N/A
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked), yes
Garlic (Fresh or cooked), yes
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked), yes
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked), NO
Onions (Fresh or cooked), yes
Paprika (Fresh or cooked), yes
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked), yes
Radishes (Fresh or cooked), N/A
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol), yes
Peas, yes
Black (Mexican) beans, yes
Corn , yes
Mushrooms, yes
Maple syrup, yes
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed), NO NO NO
Milk, yes
Vanilla Milk, yes
Chocolate Milk, NO
Strawberry Milk, yes
Bottled water, yes
Camilla Tea, yes
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways, yes
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores), NO
Apples, yes
Bananas, yes
Peaches, yes
Watermelon, yes
Kiwi, yes
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? NO "B" and certain "C" vitamins

[sleepyangel30]

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products. yes
Veggie Lasagna
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA?
Cheese yes
Cottage cheese yes
Aged cheese yes
Mozzarella yes
Capers never heard
Olives hate them yuck
Pickles hate them yuck
Tofu/Soya yes
Butter yes
Margarine yes
Eggs (Fresh or cooked) yes
Crackers yes
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) yes
Corn bread yes
White bread yes
Pumpkin oil never had
Olive oil yes
Sunflower oil never had
Garlic yes
Basil never had
Oregano yes
Salt no
Pepper yes
Vinegar no
Sugar no
Coriander never heard
Vegetarian bouillon never heard
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked) yes like it fresh
Garlic (Fresh or cooked) both are fine with me
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked) both fine
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) both fine yes
Onions (Fresh or cooked) yes
Paprika (Fresh or cooked) both fine
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked) fresh - yes
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) dont like the taste yuck
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol) never heard
Peas hate peas always have
Black (Mexican) beans lovem
Corn yes
Mushrooms yes
Maple syrup yes
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) yes
Milk sometimes
Vanilla Milk sometimes
Chocolate Milk sometimes
Strawberry Milk sometimes
Bottled water i dont drink bottle water. i get spring water from town. its natural here. i get my jugs and fill them up with spring water.
Camilla Tea never had
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways never heard
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) yes
Apples yes
Bananas yes
Peaches yes
Watermelon don't like watermelon
Kiwi don't like kiwi
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? i haven't had any problems


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? I get neither, frequency is my flare lol if I eat something wrong the frequency start the day after and it only last for hours thats all.
2. Do you smoke? nope never had If you do, does smoking make your IC worse?
3. Do you exercise? nope but going to soon at pro fitness? What kind of exercises? How much?
4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? pray and meditation Does it help? yes
5. Do you work/study? What is your occupation? none on ssi not because of ic Is it full time /part time? How far is your work from your home? How do you get there?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

I am one of a few IC patients that did NOT respond to the IC diet. My pain did not decrease by taking out foods. My doctor said that there is a small percentage of patients that do not respond to diet...I also didn't respond to normal medication and therapies either. I wound up getting the interstim implant. A few foods do bother me if I eat a lot of it.

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products--No
Veggie Lasagna--Not if it doesn't have a lot of tomato paste
Crème Fresh/Do you call it Sour creme in USA? No
Cheese
Cottage cheese No
Aged cheese Some yes, in very small quantities, No
Mozzarella No
Capers No
Olives Don't like them
Pickles No
Tofu/Soya Love it
Butter No
Margarine No
Eggs (Fresh or cooked) No
Crackers No
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) No
Corn bread No
White bread No
Pumpkin oil No
Olive oil No
Sunflower oil No
Garlic No
Basil No
Oregano No
Salt No
Pepper No
Vinegar Not in small quantities
Sugar No
Coriander No
Vegetarian bouillon Not unless it has MSG--monosodium Glutamate
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked) No
Garlic (Fresh or cooked) No
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked) No
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) Fresh, No Cooked, Yes
Onions (Fresh or cooked) No
Paprika (Fresh or cooked) Sweet, No Hot, Yes
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked) No
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) No
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol) No do you mean Haricots Verts?
Peas No
Black (Mexican) beans No
Corn No
Mushrooms No
Maple syrup No
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) This would bother me, but I'm also allergic
Milk No
Vanilla Milk No
Chocolate Milk No
Strawberry Milk No
Bottled water No
Camilla Tea No
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways Never had it
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) Depends on the juice
Apples Allergic
Bananas Allergic
Peaches No
Watermelon No
Kiwi No
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? Some Vitamin C tablets bother me

I am also really bothered by the artificial sweetener Aspartame. I start to flare within 15 minutes.

Normally I flare within an hour or so.

I don't smoke or drink alcohol.

I walk and will start pilates soon. (I just had an oofarectomy.) I will also swim this summer.

My faith in God helps my mental state. I pray and read the Bible.

I am starting art school in a few weeks and will be getting a part time job. I will be commuting about 45 minutes to school.

[ad8123]

Wow it is interesting to see how people react, well I only see minimal changes related to diet so here is what I can not eat:

Really spicy foods, chillies, hot peppers, cayene and paprika.
I can eat black pepper and green bell peppers no problem
Tomotoes, not raw, I am okay with 2 pieces of pizza though or a small plate of spaghti.
Aged cheeses NO NO NO but I am okay with cream cheese, American cheese, Velveta, cottage cheese (no sour cream)
I can not eat most prepared sauces, or vinegar or most things with vinegar in them. I can handle a very small amount of ketchup, mstard or Mayo but only one at a time.
I can NOT eat citrus fruit at all Oranges lemons limes apricotes peaches apples but I CAN eat pears, blue berries, strwberries (small amount 1/2 cup) and 1/2 a banana or one small banana.
I can not drink fruit juice but i can drink 1 can of sodapop???
I feel better when I eat lots of garlic, olive oil and milk. I eat a lot of breads (wheat, white, potatoe) and ceral although sometimes that can hurt if i eat too much-I think it is the preservatives or added vitamins.

oh yeah, I can eat chocolate if i do not binge on it!!!!!


Good luck

Oh yeah do not smoke or drink (alchole did make my flares way worse), I can not work right now and i can not take very long car rides unless i take valium before hand. I also have difficulty bending down to get things, I have pain in my bladder and my lower right back (my urologist said this is normal, something to do with the nerve endings in the spine-drugs like Elavil and Paxil can help with this) I use a heating pad or those heating patches a lot to keep everything relaxed.


Are they sure you have IC? Did they do and IVP to check your kidneys first?

[loccolil]

i have had this for 25 years and i think i can answer most of your questions, here is a list of food that you can have ,___ allowables blueberries melons and pears. home grown tomatoes and some veggies, white choclate, carob, carmel , cottage cheese, american cheese, frozen yogert and milk.pasta, rice, potatoes and some breads, poultry, fish , almonds, chashews and pine nuts, bottled water,decaffeinated acid free coffee or tea, some herbal teas and flat soda. garlic avoid these foods cantLOUPE BANNANS, all othere fruits and juices, fava beans, lima beans , soy beans, onionsm tofu , aged cheese, sour cream, eggs, yogurt, and choclate, rye and sourdough bread, aged canned cured processed or smoked meats anchovies, caviar,chicken livers , corned beef all meats that contain nitrates or nitrites, alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine , carbinated drinks such as soda ,coffee, tea, and cranberry juice , mayonnaise, miso, soy sauce, salad dressing, vinger, and all spicy foods . i dont smoke but have been told that it will trigger it, you will have to experment with it , if you eat some thing with in 30 minutes ytou will know it. lilly or lil

[Imustpee]

I am lucky, (if you can have I.C. for 38 years and be lucky), but I can eat/drink anything. Thankfully I do not have the pain that so many of you suffer with...Yesterday I was able to go 5 1/2 HOURS between pee trips!! :woohoo: WOOOOHOOOO...I am on Elmiron 4 pills a day and Aloe Vera Gel 1/4 cup per day....:o)

[Jean12]

Here are my responses

Spaghetti / Macaroni / Tortellini / other pasta products - ok without sauce
Veggie Lasagna- no
Crème Fresh/Do you cal it Sour creme in USA? - don't use it
Cheese - limited
Cottage cheese - yuck
Aged cheese - yuck
Mozzarella - ok in small amounts
Capers - don't use them
Olives - yuck
Pickles - NO, NO, NO, vinegar in them
Tofu/Soya - don't use it
Butter - ok
Margarine - ok
Eggs (Fresh or cooked) - ok
Crackers - ok
Black bread (with all sort of seeds on and in it) - never heard of it
Corn bread - ok
White bread - ok
Pumpkin oil - never heard of it
Olive oil - ok
Sunflower oil - ok
Garlic - ok
Basil - ok
Oregano - ok
Salt - ok
Pepper - ok
Vinegar - NOPE
Sugar - ok
Coriander - don't use it
Vegetarian bouillon - don't use it
Salad/lettuce (Fresh or cooked) - ok
Garlic (Fresh or cooked) - ok
Potatoes (Fresh or cooked) - ok
Tomatoes (Fresh or cooked) - NOPE
Onions (Fresh or cooked) - ok
Paprika (Fresh or cooked) - don't use it
Cucumber (Fresh or cooked) - ok
Radishes (Fresh or cooked) - ok
Yong beans (you know, in the green coat, lol) - ok
Peas - ok
Black (Mexican) beans don't use them
Corn - ok
Mushrooms - ok
Maple syrup - ok
Fresh Orange Juice (freshly squeezed) - NOPE
Milk - ok
Vanilla Milk - ok
Chocolate Milk - ok
Strawberry Milk - don't use
Bottled water - some brands cause a problem
Camilla Tea - Camomile? ok
Herbal Urologic Tea for cleansing of the UT pathways - don't use
Fruit Juices with added vitamins (bought in stores) - limited amounts of certain kinds
Apples - limited amounts
Bananas - limited amounts
Peaches - limited amounts
Watermelon - ok
Kiwi - limited amounts
Additional supplements / vitamin tablets? - don't use

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. How long, after you ate/drank something forbidden, do you get a flare/pain attack? - From immediately after until a day or two later depending on what I had and how much.
2. Do you smoke? If you do, does smoking make your IC worse? - Don't smoke, never have.
3. Do you exercise? Which sport? What kind of exercises? How much? - I should excercise but have trouble doing it
4. What do you do for your mental state /Yoga /Meditation / therapist /drugs /something else.....? Does it help? - take meds and see a psychologist
5. Do you work/study? What is your occupation? Is it full time /part time? How far is your work from your home? How do you get there? - I did work full time. Left my job last February because of stress and health issues (IC and others). Have not returned to work yet.

Jean