[YEA]  03/29/2010: Kelly from Chicago, Il: "I only found out about virgin coconut oil Dec 2009. I had bladder pain for 15 years - eventually diagnosed with interstitial cystitis but was always convinced it was a bladder infection since Bactrim (sulfa antibiotic) would always make me feel better with flare ups even though cultures were negative. I had a flare for months that would no longer go away with Bactrim. I started with coconut water and it helped my urethral pain. Now, I take coconut oil and coconut water. I no longer have urethral or bladder pain!!!!

I am beginning to believe that interstitial cystitis is a bogus diagnosis that thousands of MDs have earned a pretty penny off of - in fact - entire medical fields have opened due to this diagnosis. I think all women with this should try coconuts before they spend another dime! I know the frustrations - I have been to the best urogynes and urologists - Northwestern in Chicago since I was a teenager and in California. I have had my urethra widened twice, - I have been tortured like so many other women; missed life events, canceled trips, spent many days in the ER with flares - not too mention the $$$ spent! AND ALL THIS TIME -- COCONUTS WOULD HAVE SOLVED MY PAIN. I MUST TELL EVERY WOMAN!!!!"

04/27/2010: Teresa from Rockville, Md replies: "I have suffered from IC for years. I take a prescription med but also take quercetin. I have been in remission for 8 years."

[NAY]  08/14/2010: Lucy from Chicago, Il replies: "I'm wondering if the coconut oil is still helping and how long it took to see results. I have been taking both the water and oil for nearly 1 week, with no decrease in symptoms. Thank you."

11/16/2010: Iceangel from Chicago, Il replies: "Salgal,
I was diagnosed with IC Oct 2008. I have had symptoms including, urgency, pressure, and burning. 4 weeks back the symptom went to another level! I was having unbearable burning (felt like razor cuts in my bladder), blood clots in my urine, chills, pressure, extreme urgency.. I took the uti strip test at home and it came negative for nitrites, but positive for leucosites. I went to the doctor and for the first time I got a POSITIVE UTI results. They said I had ESBL infection.

Currently I am prescribed antibiotics for 4 weeks. The symptoms decreased down after a week, but they are not gone. The first week they it got better, but now they seem to be coming back. I have been sexually inactive ever since the symptoms increased. As I was feeling better now, I gave it a try yesterday, and now my symptoms have increased again. I am not sure if ESBL infection can be long term. I have had IC for 2 years. I want to believe that it is this ESBL infection and will be cured by antibiotics :)

I wanted to know if your ESBL infection was cured? Also, was it a separate infection beyond your IC or has your IC been cured as well?"

11/16/2010: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "Hi, I always have the most common bacteria coli bacillus, no idea what are the others you are talking about but one thing I make sure of is that I treat it right from the start. I have never let it get really bad because that is very dangerous. I drink a lot of water right way and if I don't get better quite quickly I take antibiotics for three days. I hate them but luckily this now only happens once a year and when I don't take care to drink enough liquids. I think that maybe it is taking time to go away now because you let it go too far. Be careful......... If it gets to your kidneys, my doctor told me, it can kill you in no time! "

02/05/2011: Aron1947 from Sarasota, Florida, Usa replies: "Hello Kelly from Chicago,
Could you, please, let me know how much coconut oil you were taking and who is the manufacturer. Thank you very much in advance. Best regards. Aron."

[NAY]  12/12/2011: Martin from Seattle, Wa replies: "I'm a man, 46, who may have this condition. My symptoms fit it to a tee, and more serious symptoms are not evident.

Regardless, two of three flareups in the last 3 months occurred as a cause of using coconut oil as a lubrication, and this was after using it for years as a lubricant. It is the clearest trigger I've seen, and I used to use it for 3-4 years all the time satisfactorily. It does not seem to have adversely affected my gf.

This leads me to believe either I'm not keeping it fresh enough, or it's a transit vehicle for the fungus or bacteria, but I just wanted to add in that it hasn't been a wonder cure for me. Maybe ingesting it would help, ironically, but direct application has become a total no-no for me."

09/11/2012: Shampoo from Los Angeles, Ca replies: "Your absolutely right, its must be some kind of money making conspiracy, cuz I just cured my 6 month long, unrelenting battle with interstitial cystitus with Macrobid, basically. Coconut oil, and coconut water didnt help my interstitial cystitus, altho I have cured standard, garden variety UTI's, with coconut water.

Long term antibiotic therapy was the cure for me and my interstitial cystitus. The key is, you need to stay on a high enough dose, for a long enough time to get rid of the infection, and you have to get the right antibiotic for it, as antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasing problem. I was on Macrobid for almost a month (about three weeks, at 100mg, every six hours, (about 3 times a day) thats high, but normal, and prescribed to cure a persistant and severe infection which is what I had. I was rendered completely disabled by this bladder pain, I considered my life over, as I was told there is no cure. The problem is. Doctors are becoming incresingly reluctant to prescribe antibiotics nowadays. But in the old days, they understood, (as Ive talked to older people, my moms age, baby boomers) that sometimes, infections require antibiotic treatment, for longer than a week or two. These days, if you cant cure an infection in 14 days, at the lowest possible dose, your screwed, and there is "no cure".

Period.

I cant tell you how many times Ive taken my daughter to the emergency room, with 103 degree fevers, throwing up, sick as a dog, and they made me walk out of there empty handed, and told she had a viral infection, therefore doesnt require antibitoics. I now use homeopathic remedies (for kids) and thats helping her now.

Interstitial cystitus, (in my case) required hardcore antibiotics to eradicate the infection.

I tried EVERY, I mean every natural remedy known to man to try to fix the problem, and they didnt even touch it. What kills me, as I had to fight my doctors, and tell them what was wrong with me, cuz they didnt care, and they just do things by the book. I kept saying"how could this not ba a UTI", and "How can there be no cure??" They just put me on one or two rounds of antibiotics for a few weeks and when BACTERIA DIDNT SHOW UP IN THE URINE TEST, and I was still complaining of extreme pain and frequency, they dianosed me with interstitial cystitus. It didnt even occur to them to try me on different antibiotics and maybe for longer or higher, I had to FIGHT for that, and I became such a pain in the ass, they just wanted me out of the office."

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  06/30/2010: Rs from San Francisco, Ca: "I have been battling interstitial cystitis since February 2010 and have been on several rounds of Levaquin thinking it was a UTI. After reading this site I know its cystitis. I went to Whole Foods yesterday and bought ultra colloidal silver and took 2 tsp. yesterday right when I got home and 2 tsp. this morning on an empty stomach, as directed. As of this moment I have no urinary pain at all and no urgency to pee. This is a miracle. It worked fast and it took all the symptoms away in about 24 hours or less. I took my first dose yesterday at about 3:0pm and my second dose this morning before work at about 4:40am. Im pain free and peeing like a normal human being. I did get up last night about 3 times to pee but I expect tonight to be very different. I can feel a difference already. I will give another update in a week. Good luck ladies!! Give this a try if you are at your wits end like I was."

11/19/2010: Hot Diva from Lexington, Sc replies: "I have to agree. I suffer from IC as well and been dealing with it for 2 years now. I was just introduced to this site last week. After reading some of the rememdies on here, I decided to buy some Colloidal Silver and Cinnamon tabs. My symptoms tapered off in a matter of 2 days. BIG relief! Thanks to all!"

01/03/2012: Jproffer from Des Plaines, Il, Usa replies: "What dosage did you use for the colloidal silver and cinnamon tabs?"

09/21/2008: Shaelyn from San Diego, CA replies: "Hi There, you give the what type of Colloidal silverwater you took and where you purchased it? I found some CSV spray at the health food store, but I am not sure if it's the same. Also, how much did yo take and how often.
Thanks!!"

[YEA]  06/28/2010: Katie from Atlantic, Pa, Usa replies: "I have been taking a teaspoon of colloidal silver daily for 6 months and its been amazing for my IC along w/ a little baking soda now and then. I feel human again, no more peeing razor blades."

09/11/2012: Shampoo from Los Angeles, Ca replies: "Actually, Macrobid CURED my interstital cystitus, but the last week of taking it, I did notice some pain and irritation that stopped as soon as I stopped the medication, so I think it does irritate the bladder somewhat in the process of curing it, I noticed that too. I mean, it helped me, in my case. I was also on other medications for months, but that seemed to be the icing on the cake that cured me, I noticed an instant release and relief within the first hour of taking it."

01/26/2013: Hannah from Paris, France: "Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone else with Interstitial Cystitis, that has been treating themselves primarily through diet and nutrition changes, has experienced mood swings as a symptom?"

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  11/13/2012: Mary from Oakville, On, Ca: "I am so thankful I found this site. I thought I was going insane with all the negative tests and fine kidneys from the hospital... Until one smart doctor, tonight, told me I most likely have IC. I couldn't have more similar symptoms. I have had 5 years of recurrent UTIS and am 20 years old. It is, indeed, an awfully painful disease...

However, diet and tumeric are crucial to this matter. I'm surprised, however, a lot of you are disabled, yes, but, we all are well aware that exercise couldn't be more important. In order to strengthen the linings, we must strengthen the muscles... So, do your best! I find leg lifts reduce my pains, as well as running, more than any other exercise... Simply because running is generally beneficial cardio and leg lifts target the pelvic muscles.

I also did some research based on my past experiences and cranberry juice can very well make IC matters worsen, as well as D-Mannose. D-Mannose and cranberry juice are for milder urinary tract issues, but for severe matters, they can cause severe damage. If the case is severe, D-Mannose is known to stick to the bacterias, yes, but it can stick to the walls of our organs, obstructing practically every option of ridding/treating IC. Regardless, stay away from acidic and fatty foods, equally.

As for the flares, I have it right now as I'm typing, but walking truly does help, as working out reproduces healthy cells and bacteria. ALSO... VERY IMPORTANT. If you have a lot of stress, be sure to see the doctor. Anxiety is a major cause of my increased symptom pains, and if you are unaware of your psychology stability, it could very well be the underlying reason for your IC and many other illnesses. If you meditate with faith that your body is healing, then it will do just that, and the pain will reduce immediately. I have severe anxiety, so it'll work on anyone if you try and do it right. Just breathe and do your best to keep the symptoms down... Never stop researching... never stop believing and always remember it could be much, much worse! Much love and best regards to you all."

[YEA]  12/14/2012: Hannah from Paris, France: "Hello all, I have what seems to be IC, and have had vaginal burning/itching/discomfort, pretty much everywhere and in every situation for the past two or three years.

I just recently eliminated acidic foods from my diet, since I'm trying to treat the IC, and I noticed the vaginal itching and burning has been gone completely since.

When I first started having vaginal pain, I did notice that certain foods, like chocolate would trigger almost immediate burning. This was before I developed IC symptoms.

Now, I notice the only time I've had burning or itching has been during or right before and/or after my period. I started taking coconut oil regularly (1 tsp in the morning and 1 at night) and I haven't had any burning or discomfort this cycle expect for the one day that I didn't take the coconut oil!

Everyone's body is different, and perhaps this isn't a solution for everyone... but for those of us that have really sensitive bodies (prone to IBS/vulvodynia etc) like me, I have a feeling that diet plays a really important role.

I wonder if trying to eliminate acidic foods for a while would help relieve the symptoms for other vulvodynia sufferers? I would recommend starting with the IC diet and then adding in foods little by little to find the real culprits... I was surprised when I realized I could eat dairy, which I thought was a big no no, but not oranges!

I guess what I realized was that food was playing a huge role in my suffering, maybe for some it has nothing to do with acid at all, but the burning is a symptom of another food sensitivity that could easily be eliminated.

I hope this is helpful to someone!"

[YEA]  05/15/2013: Lisa from San Diego, Ca: "Interstitial Cystitis: Hi everybody! I have suffered terribly like so many of you with yeast infections and urinary problems. I found a solution after many hours of research. What works for me is 2 T of distilled water, 10 drops of potassium iodide and 10 drops of dmso in a small glass or ceramic bowl. I swirl it to mix and lay a tampon in it to absorb. I insert the tampon for 30-60 mins and all pain and inflammation is gone! Now when I feel a flare coming on, ( which I suspect it is from some kind of food), I treat myself. It works every time! I hope this helps!"

[YEA]  04/06/2012: Britt from Harrisburg, Pa: "Hello, I'm 22 year old female suffering with a bad flare up of IC. For the past 2 years I've been getting DSMO treatments every 6 months (once a week for about 6 weeks). I've found these to be amazingly helpful. It's been about 8 months since my last treatments and that is why I think I have a bad flare up now.

I am able to drink coffee (sometimes) and basically anything I want for up for 6 months after the treatments and feel fine!

During this current bad flare up (the worst it's ever been) I've tried cinnamon pills, baking soda, and colliaded silver. So far cinnamon pills and baking soda may have helped a little and just took the silver so I'm not sure how that will work.

I would HIGHLY advise to get DSMO. The first treatment or 2 can be pretty painful in itself, but after that the results are so worth it.

Good luck everyone :)"

10/18/2011: Lauren from Northern Ca, Usa replies: "Do you mean DMSO medically inserted into the bladder? Or cream applied to the area? I love DMSO and would love more info on how you used it."

[YEA]  03/22/2011: Mel from Portland, Or: "In the past couple months I have had dramatic success with IC symptoms using plain, unflavored gelatin. After reading a medical report that suggested evidence Chondroitin may bond to compromised areas of bladder lining tissue, and knowing that Chondroitin is processed from cartilaginous matter, I decided to try adding a regimen of unflavored gelatin to my usual IC mindful diet and supplements (see posts). Obviously, vegetarians would not be able to try this, and those with religiously restricted diets would need to locate an appropriate type of gelatin. I started dissolving single packets of unflavored gelatin in hot teas and soups: consuming 3 packets a day. Within a week, not only had I noticed an absence of any painful flareups - but my bladder really did feel somehow stronger - something like less "bloated" or "distended" when "full". I have continued this for two months and I feel it may be the most restorative (as opposed to just soothing) IC specific remedy I use. I think it may be "building-up" bladder lining. If anyone else is game to try this for a few months, please post your results - I am eager to hear if others experince any similar changes."

08/04/2011: Spelt 70 from Bracey, Va replies: "I just ran across your post about gelatin. I am desperate to get some relief. I was just wondering if this was still working for you and have you had any side effects. Thanks."

11/03/2011: Lynne from Titusville, Pa replies: "Mel,

I was wondering if you noticed any stool discoloration with taking the gelatin, because I have noticed reddish coloring when going to restroom since starting the gelatin about 3 days ago."

01/09/2013: Pocketmonkey from Colmesneil, Texas replies: "I have had IC since 2001. Tried most everything but no cure. Just got into essential oils last month and was hoping to find a cure. I ran across the gelatin remedy and was surprised to hear how quickly it worked. I wanted to ask if the gelatin was bought at health food store or reg. store? Is it a special kind? Were you taking anything at all during this time for IC other than gelatin 3 packets per day?"

12/15/2012: Hannah from Paris, France: "Has anyone tried oil pulling for IC? If so... Any results?"

12/15/2012: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa replies: "Hi Hannah, Yes, I think illness/ imbalances are a combination of the two. When it comes to our mind and body they are married in a way that is hard to separate. Psycho- mind, Soma- body is the root of psychosomatic. It used to be used, I think, in a condescending manner but I think now many (not all! ) see the connection. Often they are on a deep unconscious level so when someone points that out it can really hit a nerve! But if we can stop for a bit and really look at it, we often can see truth in it. Once we do, we can find some amazing revelations for ourselves.

In your case, your immediate reaction was what I'm referring to. But, on pondering you began to see some interesting correlations. It was wrong of them to say to you it was "totally psychological". When we are ill or having physical issues, they are very real but the manifestation has deep roots.

In light of what you are questioning regarding your links, you may want to read Louise Hay's works. Her book "Heal Your Body" is a very helpful book in seeing the mind/ emotion/ body connection. And her book "You Can Heal Your Life" is amazing, her life story where she healed herself from cervical cancer. If you have not read them, I would highly recommend them. Hope this info helps. Lisa"

08/01/2012: Heather from Leicester replies: "Hi, glad to hear you ate doing well on the Bsm. Have you tried using the ACV with baking soda and then iodine which helps fibroids (search for posts here) good luck x"

10/27/2012: Mcc from Miami, Fl replies: "Organic Colostrum works well. It is all natural but does take several months for the pain to subside completely. Iherb is the company that carries it and one bottle last for 30 days."