If this is your first holiday season with a diagnosis of IC, we’ve assembled some resources that we hope will help you enjoy the season, including new videos, articles, meal tips and many IC friendly recipes to play with.

Surviving a holiday like Thanksgiving is all about pacing yourself, communicating clearly with your family and, of course, avoiding those things that we know can trigger IC flares.

When it comes to travelling, we encourage you to keep your car rides as short as possible or, better yet, bring the holidays to your home this year. This is the time of year when it’s perfectly okay to ask for help from family members and friends, particularly when it comes to cooking and the inevitable clean up afterwards! Think potluck!

Why oh why is there at least one family member who, rudely, doesn’t believe that IC is a real disease? We suggest that you put out our free IC Information Fact Sheets(download them here), the book the IC101: It’s Not Just A Bladder Disease, a few of our IC Optimist magazines or even some of our Living With IC videos! When it comes up, calmly look that person in the face and say “Three to 8 million women in the USA suffer from this pelvic pain condition and 1 to 4 million men. Here are some reading materials that will help you understand what I’m struggling with.” Then change the topic. Don’t be defensive. Don’t be hurt. Remember, these individuals are just extremely naive or uninformed. It says far more about them than you if they bring it up in a hurtful way! I encourage you to calmly and firmly stand up for yourself!

I don’t know about you but I love eating a traditional turkey meal. I’ve never been a fancy food eater. I like my food simple, fresh and tasty so if I have to choose between a fancy, marinated meat and roast turkey, I’ll take the turkey any day. The same is true for stuffing and veggies. What could be better than mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes with butter! Yum!!! Luckily, the vast majority of traditional thanksgiving desserts are IC friendly, particularly my favorite pumpkin pie and whipped cream!

In any case, if you’re not sure about what you can or should eat for the holidays, much less drive to Grandma’s house, I hope that the resources below help you enjoy the holiday! Blessings to you and your family. – Jill O. ICN Founder

Living With IC Video Series – Thanksgiving

The Living With IC video series has had more than 500,000 views on YouTube. Here’s an oldie but goodie Thanksgiving video to provide you with some new ideas! You can find many more, including more tips on travelling, taking vacations and, of course, managing IC flares on our website!

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
IC Friendly Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

Feature Articles

Here are some articles that you might find helpful!