I had the first Interstitial Cystitis flare that I’ve had for a long time over the weekend. My husband and I were out of town doing a toy show & I spent most of yesterday running to the bathroom. My husband knew that I was having a flare even before I said anything. He reminded me that he hasn’t seen me go to the restroom that many times a day for quite some time. I’m a little concerned because I have to work today and on a holiday, we will be super busy and I won’t be able to run to the bathroom every few minutes if necessary.
I can’t tell yet if it’s going to be a bad IC day or not because I typically have a lot of urgency first thing in the morning then by the time I get to work I’m pretty good for a while. I also had a lot of pain in my bladder and in my lower back over the weekend that I have not experienced for some time. With a chronic illness like IC Disease, I sometimes forget how extreme the symptoms get and how excruciating the pain gets because I don’t experience it daily as I once did (thank God!).
When I do experience the severe symptoms, I wonder how I did it living like this every single day. I remember when I first became ill with Interstitial Cystitis I was on the phone crying and begging the urologist to please get me in earlier because I couldn’t take the pain any longer. However, my begging and pleading fell on deaf ears and I had to suffer even longer because they were not willing to squeeze me in sooner to find out what was wrong. I learned my lesson from that and I have become more firm when I need to see a doctor.
It is times like this when I realize why I need to be on disability and I want to kick myself for going back to work a few hours a week. Even though it is only a very minimal amount of working hours, it always seems that my CFS, Fibromyalgia or now IC will act up on those days and my shifts seem to drag on forever. We are supposed to go to a picnic at my sister’s after I get off work. I hope I am up to it. If not, my family is used to me canceling out on events.
Fabienne says
I also have , from time to time flare up of IC, often when I am out of town or in holidays, and only since finding out that I suffer from fibromyalgia. At least that’s what my doctor told me. Seems they go hand in hand. After a few bouts I decided to take matters in my own hands, and tried the ¨natural¨ways.
And it works!!! I take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a bit of water , every hour or so, drink some cranberry juice and avoid all caffeine. After the first few hours , I normally start feeling better, and by the 3rd or 4th day , every thing is back to normal.
But I am now taking some cranberry pills every day, and haven’t suffered from IC since. I know that people suffering from fibromyalgia are great tarkets for IC, so we have to be extremely careful,even more so if we are in our menopause.
Hope this will be of some help. And sorry for my bad written english, I don’t get to write in english very often,
Maryann says
Hi. I was just wondering if you could tell me who told you to take vinegar and water..I have been told vinegar triggers a flare and I believe it has triggered flares in me in the past..I was also told no cranberry juice…I am menapausal now and I am in a flare..I take prelief when I feel it coming on..that sometimes helps but I never know for sure if it is IC or UTI. What did your doctor find that put your flares into remission? I am desperate, I watch my diet as best I can but it is so frustrating…
Sandie says
I agree with you. I was taking apple cider vinegar and now am feeling a flare, even with medication. My doctor also told me never to drink cranberry juice. 🙂
Brit says
I would really try Corn silk tea. This helps to calm the bladder and kidneys.
Katie says
Hi, I’m an new to the world of IC. I am working with an Oxlate health coach. She believes the root cause is an Oxlate issue. You could try soaking it Epsom salt water. It’s a big help for me.
Sheryl says
I have terribly debilitating ic flare ups! Been much worse lately! Reaching for anything! ACV, GINGER, TURMERIC…which of these work and which are going to kill me?? Anything helpful will be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you , in advance!!
Jana says
I have chronic gastritis and take 80 mg. of pantaprozole and eat bland food.I have developed IC as well. It is horrible! I feel like I’m on fire and my clothes are so uncomfortable. Up so much at night = no good sleep. Constantly battling strep B UTI. Cant take care of my grandkids anymore because I’m in the bathroom so much. Also fatigued. I work 30 hours a week outside of the home. Taking prelief doesnt seem to help, but I take it anyway. I never had a UTI before age 55. Stopped periods and immediately started having UTIs and got IC. Also have vuvodynia.
angela armbrecht says
No one has mentioned Marshmallow Root. I’ve tried a variety of things for my IC and Marshmallow Root works the best for me. I’ve even gone off one of my IC meds since taking the marshmallow root, because the marshmallow root was more effective. That being said, I’ve only tried one brand so I can’t comment on anything other than the one I use. Also, you have to be careful because it can get in the way of absorption of other meds – so be sure to take it with a one hour window before and after taking other meds. I get them from Amazon, about $17 for two bottles of 100. I take 3 a day. The name of it is: Nature’s Way Marshmallow Root 480 mg, 100 Capsules, Pack of 2. Good luck, all!