★★★★★
I actually used corn silk herb. I started taking 1/2 tsp twice daily for about a week, then decreased to 1/2 tsp once per day. The pain had stopped after the first day, that's why I only use it once per day for maintenance.
The corn silk that I purchased in the herb shop, I just further grind it in the vita mix. It lasts longer that way. I have also used the tea.
Potassium Iodide, DMSO Douche
★★★★★
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!
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
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!
Diet, Turmeric, Exercise
★★★★☆
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.
Colostrum
★★★★★
Organic Colostrum works well for IC. 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.
Lyme Disease Caused IC
★★★★★
Hello, i would like to share this: I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) two years ago. And I am cured, thank God. The woman who brought me on the healing path is a nurse practitioner in Washington DC, who has ahd IC herself. She has treated AND cured hundreds of persons suffering from this terrible disease. She sees that most of the time, IC patients have Lyme disease, without knowing it. Once you treat Lyme, IC goes away. Before getting to know her, all my urine test would come negative. But she is working with a lab in Virginia, which is the only lab in the world which specialised in IC.
I hope that other IC patients can read this post and find their health back again like I did. Evelyn
★★★★★
This is my first time on EC. Same story, Bladder infections... Antibiotic regements, result IC. Have never been oficially diagnosed, but symptoms the same only less severe than most. I am 68 yrs young, in good health except for this. My urgency is only once through the night and for my age that's not bad. My main issue is the pressure and burning after urinating. I started taking SEPIA (Homeopathic) which helped considerably. I now added a Cell Salt #1 (calc. Fluor. 6x), also Homeopathic, more cost effective 500 pellets for around $12.00 at Whole Foods. When I have the burning or pressure I take 4 pellets under my tongue, within 15 min. the discomfort has passed. I don't know why, but it does help. Cinnimon is also on my regimen, about 4 to 6 a day. I can only hope this may help someone. Thank you all for adding your voice to this wonderful website.
IC Caused By Bladder Stone
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with IC a little over a year ago after going through pain for three years and several urologists and obgyns that didn't know squat... Give out a script and see ya! I finally got rippin mad and told them to recommend someone out of town that knows whats going on. I had to travel an hour from home to get better information. I was treated for the IC in a couple of ways and symptoms came back again and we tried another avenue... I had day surgery to explore my bladder and they discovered a stone... Just had this removed a month ago at a well known facility in the other direction two hours away... Relief is wonderful... No more pain (and previous pelvic mesh was part of my problem)... Please do not just accept one person's opinion or diagnosis... Go for more - IT IS WORTH THE TRIP!
Essential Oils
★★★★☆
ok guys, I am updating my interstitial cystitus game plan here as Ive drawn a few more conclusions over the last few days.
Im getting better. I feel great today, but I did have pain return with a vengeance 3 days ago, to the point where Ive made an appointment with a urologist, and I was looking up worst case scenerios stories on the net about having my bladder removed! :(( $%#@!!
Ive come to conclusion that this is a bacterial issue and not a physical or ulcerated bladder problem. How do I know this??
Ive upped my dosage of essential oils.
I did some research about curing stubborn bladder problems with alternative medicine, and I found out about a product sold in canada and eastern europe called nano drops. I found one random company in eastern europe that sells it. Its $80. There is also a youtube video under "nano drops" cure UTI. I wondered if it was a scam, and anywho, I dont have the money. However, Credited naturopaths had seen it clear incurable serious, interstitial cystitus cases, etc, etc, I found alot of different posts about it so I figured it was for real.
I looked up the ingredients. Juniper essential oil, Lavender, Eucalyptus and Pine needle oil. Thats all. $80. And thats it. In the directions it said, put 10 to 20 drops in a glass of water 3 times a day for up to a month until symptoms dissappear.
So, I increased my lavender and juniper oil intake signifigantly. I then ordered more juniper, and lavender, cuz I knew Id go thru the bottles in no time flat. I also ordered Cinnamon and Lemon oil cuz along with Clove, those are the main ingredients to the "thieves Oil" which is really helping me.
I take about 5-10 drops of juniper and 4 drops lavender in a capsule 4-5 times a day, no joke along with random gelcaps of 1 or 2 drops rosemary(cuz rosemary can be toxic) and more lavender 1 or 2 drops 2 drops peppermint, 1 or 2 drops sandlewood oil, or 1 drop clove here and there. Its been sporadic, Im just trying to get this fixed. Whenever I feel pain , I pop a gelcap with a few drops of random oils, being cautios about the more toxic ones (rosemary, clove) Everyday I push the envelope a little more. My bladder is healing. I can feel it. I cant believe it. It is awesome. I also have been dosing myself with cayenne, and turmeric basically, Ive been stuck at home, with the burning, flaming rocket runs :))) But its worth it. Drinking lots and lots of water, cuz I noticed symptoms started really returning when I slacked off on the water intake. Ive been at home, not going anywhere, focused, on trying to beat this thing.
I do not want biopsies, dont want to have them fill my bladder with potassium iodide or whatever, dont want these horribly invasive tests and procedures. Dont want this to ruin my life. I dont want the nitemare, and now that this has happened to me, its made me aware of this awful disease, I didnt even really know existed.
Ill sometimes do a random capsule of thieves, when I get hit with real pain, usually after I go to the bathroom. About 10 drops. Its pretty safe. I experiment with myself. Sometimes I get racing heart, or strange sensations when I do clove, or too many oils at once, I get paranoid, drink milk, and monitor myself. Its fine. And then I do more. Ive researched younglivingessential oils, and this is fairly safe, as there are recipes on the net calling for quit a few drops of oils, that I thought might be volatile, or unsafe to take. Just be careful.
Do your research guys. I have. Im determined. Im scared and determined. Im 32 years old, and Im not ready to throw the rest of my life away on this disease.
D-Mannose
★★★★★
UPDATE::: Ok guys, the vitamin C cure DID not work, as the cream of tarter in a few inches of water, DID NOT WORK EITHER. Baking soda didnt work, and I got sick and could have possibly poisoned myself, (i just read about the dangers of taking too much baking soda online) UGH.... I was beginning to despair, so NOW, Im feeling great, and for the last week or so Ive been taking massive doses of Echinacea, (4 4oomg pills 4 times thruout the day) but altho I was feeling better, it wasnt really nipping my problem in the bud, as I was beginning to have excrutiating pain at night, and by now I starting to feel fully convinced I have the dread, interstitial cystitus!!!
Guys, D MANNOSE!!! I have tried D mannose TWICE before in the past and it seemed to do nothing for me. It was like drinking sugar water, it seemed to be the most rediculous cure ever!!!!! However, after tireless internet google research, all these women were swearing by it, (even saying things like, 9 out of 10 women are cured by D mannose, and I have interstitial incurable bladder disease and this cured me) so I decided to give it another go.
I tried a really cheap brand of D mannose before, and some women claimed that it DOES make a difference to go with a high quality more expensive brand, and that not all d mannose are created equal, I guess, so I spent about $25. 00 for a little jar.
It says on the jar to take a teaspoon every 4 hours, (like 4 times a day) and double for a raging case, (like mine) I took a teaspoon and a half every 2 hours like SEVERAL times a day, and by the third day, I really almost feel normal again, I feel great. I ordered another jar, I really think its working!! Its pricey but worth it.
I suppose the d mannose receptors attract e coli to them and then they attach off the wall and get flushed out of the bladder. Ive also read the d mannose can do this to sperm! So be careful ladies, if your trying to conceive, I read d mannose might interfere with pregnancy. They are even trying to patten a contraceptive using d mannose, lol! I was thinking of using d mannose as a preventative, as many women have had success doing that, but since I want to have a baby... I'll have to try something else when I dont have an infection. Im gonna try a brand of herbal cranberry supplement sold on amazon. One women claims after intercourse she takes 2 pills and a full glass of water and she hasnt had an infection in 10 years.
Im going to continue the d mannose for another week after my symptoms have fully gone. A teaspoon three times a day. Good luck ladies, and I will report back with my progress!!
Cayenne
To: Shampoo from Los Angeles!! Wow your a warrior, you have tried so many things. How are you now and what are you doing for your IC now? Thank you, Sunny
Cayenne
@shampoo. That was a wealth of information. Now I know some of the things to research and what to ask about when I make an appointment with a urologist. Thanks for such a detailed journey. I hope I can finally end this horrible illness.
ACI-JEL
★★★★★
I had recurrent cystitus for 30 years. Got to the point where I could not have sex without getting it. I would also get it if I got too dehydrated. Doctors advice did not prevent the attacks. I had to help myself, I cured myself by using a mild antibacterial cream instead of KY jelly before sex for six months. I have not had an attack since and that was 5 years ago. Sounds simple, but it worked. If you are into more natural methods you could try ACI-JEL which is just vinegar in a cream. You can also try 1/4 tsp of bicarb with water twice a day to keep you alkaline, as the problem thrives in an acid conditions. Good luck to all you long sufferers, my heart goes out to you.
I have had IC for 3 years now - it started with a UTI and an acute onset of endometriosis and pelvic floor dysfunction. At first, I had a small amount of pain when I ate sugar and fruit - not huge, just a little. I went on antibiotics for 9 months and I was better while on them (I no longer had to get up during the night at all to use the restroom), but I think I further aggrevated my candida problem, which I think is at the root of all of this. I now have no more endometriosis and my PFD has also resolved (anticandida diet and active release technique helped that). I believe I have had candida for a very long time, possibly since I was a young child, and that set me up for a series of 4 or 5 UTIs which brought all of this on. I have been detoxing for a year and a half and have tried numerous herbs, diets (Macrobiotic for 6 months) and I am now trying bladder insulflations of Ozone, which have shown some promise. I was also trying oral Hydrogen Peroxide therapy, but that caused me a huge flare - and I don't really get big flares, just minor irritation. I am thinking of quieting my bladder lining a bit and then doing IV Hyrdrogen Peroxide along with the Ozone to chase out these bad bugs. I am on a strict anticandida diet and I eat lots of good fat (as called for in Bee's healing diet). I am hopeful that I will finally find the holy grail and get rid of this stuff for good. I have had candida in my stomach (gastritis), intestines (IBS), sinuses, on my face and on my scalp and getting rid of it in the bladder has been the hardest. Good luck to everyone with this horrific illness.
Hi! I was the other woman at the Anderson/Wise Clinic. I'm doing fantastic... On a trip to NYC. Thank you SOOOO much for recommending the Oxytrol patch. My doc gave me another version - a geletin that I put on every day. Oh my gosh... The frequent urination stopped within 48 hours. I was comfortable on the airplane and have had a wonderful trip. God bless you for suggesting it!
There are so many causes and treatments for IC that aren't being mentioned by people on this listserve. I would urge you all to read Wendy Cohen's The Better Bladder book (Amazon). Each of us is different but if you work through a list of possibilities, you can get well. Many of us have!
Kimberly in Camas, Washington
Aloe Vera
★★★★★
I have used a supplement from evenbetternow.com for my IC (I think it's called Buffer Ph). It has aloe vera in it and alkalizes your ph if you are acid, which was part of my problem. I tested my ph and was as acidic as one can get. Bad news and dangerous. I take 2 caps 3X per day on an empty stomach. I also take a multi-vitamin, vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, high dose Omega 3, probiotics and some supplements that my acupuncturist gave me. I get acupuncture once per week. It's been a life saver. Along with the IC, I also had problems with chronic UTI's, which I cured by taking Inner Defense capsules from the essential oil company, Youngliving. Before starting on the essential oils, I was taking antibiotics all the time and they were making me more and more sick. The ant-bacterial essential oils got me off of the antibiotic cycle and have helped to strengthen my immune system.
Reader Feedback
To all who are facing the challenge;
I was diagnosed with IC in 2002. I was scared and devastated because I soon realized that IC has no cure. I had the most respected urologist in the area as my doctor and great health insurance, yet the treatment plan he offered me was useless. I was facing a future of misery. My doctor wanted me on 5 different medications and wanted to schedule a surgery for my incontinence. I left his office and never returned. I realized that I was going to have to do my own research if I was going to have any hope at a normal life.
First I changed my diet, just with this careful analysis I drastically reduced my symptoms. In time all of my symptoms went away. I was symptom free for years. My incontinence resolved as well.
Now over the past 2 years I've had two flare ups. In the last flare up I went to urgent care and was treated for a UTI. Upon examining my urine they confirmed that most definitely I had a UTI, however my lab results were negative.
So again, my quest for treatment has resumed. I have been enjoying all the info on this site. I plan to try most of what I'm seeing here because it's less intrusive to the body than what my Dr offered. And because it seems to work better. If it works, it works.
One thing I have found to bring instant relief from the burning pain around the urethra and surrounding tissue is lavender oil. The real essential oil. I mix this with vitamins E and rub it liberally and gently where it hurts. The pain stop instantly. It is replace by a sort of menthol cooling sensation. I have a couple recipes for this blend. You can add Bergamont eo and a tiny bit of oregano oil. But I think the main relief comes from the lavender. This doesn't surprise me because lavender is great for burns. It takes the sting out.
Lavender 30 drops
Vitamine E. 1 tbls
Oregano 1 drop
Bergamont 5 drops
I carry this with me at all times.
Regards. Teri
Reader Feedback
Diet is essential. My hub has severe IC with hunners ulcers and the whole shmear. Over the past 3 years we have tried EVERYTHING and finally gave in to pain meds, which he hates. Last month he became so frustrated we had to do something drastic. Even tho we followed the IC diet, we went to an elimination diet, basically starting from scratch like you would a baby. There is much info on the web. We are following the strictest. Voila!!! Pain has decreased from 8-10 to 1-3. It has been a journey. Found he had a definite sensitivity to bananas of all things! Just starting to add one thing at a time, our garden is filling with green beans, so we will give that a try next. This diet has worked for him, and he has lost 15 pounds in a month, which he desperately needed to do. Just puttin' this out there, it is pretty healthy. And as for the no dairy aspect, he was drinking a gallon of low fat milk a day, boocoo calories! And the diet is no dairy, so we switched to unsweetened almond milk. There is so little ICers can drink and he is always thirsty. Also marshmallow root tea brewed w/wo a cinnamon stick and honey sweetened, hot or iced works well. Pure seltzer with some allowable juices and a little honey scratches the soda itch. It is time consuming and involves some research, but anyone can do this. He can have brown rice, so found web recipes for brown rice flour breads, muffins and pancakes with no yeast (diet is NO gluten). Have seen a lot of ICers are gluten intolerant, so that is worth a try for anyone. It's real basic, no wheat, gluten, dairy, red meat other than lamb, turkey, fish/shellfish, nothing "white"... We hope this continues to work, even if it doesn't "cure" him, to keep his pain level way down and keep that bladder happy. Good luck everyone!
Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide Douche
★★★★☆
I too started douching w/ peroxide and vinegar due to a stubborn yeast infection and- voila!! IC symptoms (burning, pressure, pain, frequency) were soooo much better. So I douched for about 2 months, but it kept coming back quickly unless I douched every few hours. I learned I have a very heavy growth of group B strep in my vagina (tested negative for it 3 years ago, before IC started). So this explains why antibiotics always made my bladder feel better, but after I stopped i'd get a major flare-up (good bacteria killed off enabled bad ones to proliferate more).
Currently having luck with boric acid. I insert a "00" size veggie cap full of it at least once a day, and also a cap full of kefir cultured milk to repopulate good bacteria.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide Douche
★★★★★
I want to say thank you for this idea. I have been battleing urinary issues since just before Thanksgiving. These issues include constant burning, pressure and really bad spasms. Tests continue to be negative for infection. I've been on antibiotic off and on the whole time and __viaz for about a month, still no relief. Pain so bad at time I can't get out of bed, sleep in a recliner with pillows between my legs and have been off work for over a month. Running to the bathroom 30 or 40 times a day and 8-12 times at night has foreced me to hybernate. I started using the half perioxide half apple cider douche 3 days ago and drinking lemon juice with honey also and feel like a new person. Only getting up 1-2 times at night is awesome and I no longer feel the spasms or my bladder hardening. I quit taking my scripts yesterday and can not wait to go back in next week and find out the results of my scope and udi test. But am so thankful you shared this remedy.
Barley Milk
★★★★★
Whole Barley Milk with MSM Recipe
This recipe is very easy and cheap to make. Whole barley flour can usually be purchased from a health food store or ordered online for about $2/lb. The cheapest source of pure MSM powder I have found is an online bulk food supply site for $9.71/lb, and it lasts a really long time. Even if you omit MSM from the recipe, it is still wonderfully soothing and healing. Whole barley milk is smooth, creamy, and easy to drink. Personally, I find it tasty. It is a perfect beverage for mixing in other supplements such as ph drops, aloe, condroitin, d-mannose, liquid calcium, etc. It makes a nice smoothie shaken-up with 100% blueberry juice. I have been drinking about a quart of whole barley milk a day and it has helped me greatly. I recommend it for any one wanting to improve their health, especially those suffering with IC, UTIs, arthritis, or heartburn. Like marshmallow root water, barley water is demulcent. It is purportedly soothing and healing to soft tissues, such as internal organ linings and soft tissues surrounding joints throughout the body. Water boiled from barley has been used for digestive health and general soothing tonic for centuries. Whole barley is rich in fiber and good for cholesterol health. I usually triple this recipe, making three quarts at a time. Ingredients:
2 tablespoons whole barley flour, organic preferred, - not coarsely ground
1 pinch sea salt, optional
1 tablespoon raw honey or organic agave syrup, optional
1 tablespoon safflower, grapeseed, or coconut oil; cold-pressed/organic preferred
1 level teaspoon pure MSM powder
4 cups cold water
Have a clean quart jar and lid handy for each quart of milk being prepared. In a good non-reactive saucepan, whisk the barley flour into 3 cups of the cold water, and heat over medium-low heat, stirring regularly until steaming. Do not boil. Whisk or shake the MSM into the remain 1 cup of water, and set aside. Add salt and honey or agave to the saucepan, if desired. Continue to heat and stir until thickened (about 5 to 10 minutes). It should look something like skim milk the consistency of heavy cream, and should be well heated like hot soup. Remove from heat. Whisk in oil. Whisk in MSM mixture. Pour un-cooled into clean quart jar, cap and refrigerate. Chill barley milk overnight before using. This allows fine barley particles to fully absorb liquid. Shake well before serving. If you prefer a thinner beverage, mix with water or blueberry juice. Keep stored barley milk refrigerated and use within a week. Notes about adding other supplements: A single serving size (as directed) of supplements such as ph drops, liquid condroitin, and/or d-mannose powder may be mixed in the last cup of water along with the MSM, before incorporating into the barley milk and refridgerating. Heat sensitive supplements - such as Aloe, or supplements that should not be taken near bedtime - such as liquid calcium, may be added when serving, if desired.
About me:
I am a 38 yrs old. I believe that I have had too much acid in my system my whole life, both as a result of diet and exacerbated by times of stress. As I approach middle age, soft tissues throughout my body are suffering, especially my bladder lining and those involving my joints. I have been a natural foods junkie most of my adult life - but unfortunately I also had a serious daily habit for all things extremely spicy and sour, as well as copious amounts of caffeinated tea. I also drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes socially. For bodily comfort, I have omitted these things from my diet/habits. General stress reduction is also a must. Yoga helps! Best of luck and health!
I have read your post & see that you suffer from ic & joint pain. I am currently going thru the same thing at this time. Do you know why you have the joint pain. Just curious to know if you found out anything. Thanks so much!
Barley Milk
★★★★★
I can not say for sure if there is a direct link between my personal joint pain and I.C. , however, I believe they are indeed related. I believe they are related because first because the dietary/supplement remedies that help one always seem to help the other. And correspondingly, when one is flaring, so is the other. I believe that they are conditions both exacerbated by high acidity in the system, either as a result of diet, or stress, or both. These are the dietary items I have found that seem to give me comfort, relief, and healing... -barley water, and barley milk
-eastern barley (also known as hato mugi, jobs tears, coix), also as water or milk
-unflavored gelatin, mixed with cold water, then dissolved in tea or hot water and drunk or added to kefir, nondairy drink, or low-acid juice
-agar, used with beverages the same way as gelatin, above
-whole grain hemp seed milk
-whole grain unsweetened brown rice milk
-whole mixed grain nondairy beverage (a healthfood chain sells one with quinoa and amaranth)
-coconut water/juice (all natural)
-carrot juice
-marshmallow root tea
-soaked basil seed drink (all natural/homemade)
-fresh broccoli and kale sprouts
-onions
-chondroitin supplement
-msm supplement
-d-mannose supplement
If there is anything above you have not heard of, search it online and you will find info. I am doing very well after changing my diet and drinking plenty of the assorted beverages listed here. Good luck!
Barley Milk
http://wellbladder.com/bladder_symptoms__gluten_sensitivity
I feel better off gluten. Barley is gluten.
Reader Feedback
I was diagnosed with IC 1 1/2 yrs ago after a urogynecologist did a rectocele & urethral sling surgery. She suspected it before surgery & after testing in her office she said the only true way to diagnose this is during surgery when the surgeon fills your bladder with saline to full capacity & then takes films of the bladder. IC shows as tears in the lining. I had tiny tears and the treatment recommended was Elmiron(which I declined as it is a type of blood thinner), or bladder instillations (which I was taught to do at home) especially diet.
Eliminating caffeine, all artificial sweetners, all citrus & tomato products and advanced kegal exercises. These have helped me quite a bit. Baking soda 1 tsp in water 2x day gives fairly fast relief. My IC is not severe but extremely uncomfortable. Marshmallow root tea was also recommended in a book a read. Also helpful, but I'm not very disciplined, is the gluten=free diet which helps overall body inflammation. Did I mention I also have Sjogren's syndrome (severe dry eyes, nose, mouth, etc.) And allergies. I'm going to try the colloidal silver. Hope this helps someone.
Reader Feedback
★★★★★
I FOUND THE ANSWER TO THIS NASTY IC DISEASE. There is a book called "The Better Bladder Book", written just this year. In it, it says that Gluten Intolerance is the problem for 91% of the people with IC. I had been off most Gluten already, but was still eating croutons and chicken, and fish that was breaded, etc. I bought a basic book on "Gluten Intolerance" and WOW. One month later, I feel great!!! I can go without straining!! I can go in the public restroom again. Wow!! I don't sit and wait, and wait to go. It is way less of a diet constriction to go gluten free than remove all the IC foods and feel like I'm left with nothing to eat. I am already not eating sugar (IBS-I use stevia instead) and no dairy (face breaks out) so eating is difficult already.
After only 2 weeks I was off Hydroxyzine HCL (a antihistime for the bladder). I was able to cope just fine. After one month, I still go 2-4 times per night, but feel great during the day. I can eat onions and tomatoes again. White wine. I need more time to reintroduce most IC trigger foods, but I believe I will be able to slowly bring them back into my diet over the next year. The book said that most people getting off Gluten will take awhile to get better. This depends on how long you were sick and how bad. I was 5 yrs and in the end was a 10 out of 10 for constant severe pain. Now I can drive long distances and go on airplanes. This is HUGE for me. I can drive or sit though church/seminars for 1.5 hrs without a restroom break. I had been down to 5 minutes before getting off Gluten. That included at night. The auther of the book said she is overwhelmed iwth responses from IC people. I would love to see a seperate area on this website for people's responses to Gluten Intolerance. Do a search on the Author's name for more info.
Reader Feedback
If you have tried everything, and you can't get relief, try what I have tried: It's a acidophilis product found online or in large health food stores. It contains:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1
Google these for the product. If you look under amazon for it, there are hundreds of Vaginial Bactriorosis stories, but also some on IC. So hey I bought a bottle and WOW was it helpful. Pain gone. Like fast. Except I still can't cheat on the diet. But I can sleep, and go in the car on long rides, etc. For anyone with pain: Here is the fastest route to use this product: Day 1 eat 2 in AM, and 2 in vaginal tract. Just push the capsules up there. They will disintegrate. Within one hour, the pain will go to about zero. Then eat 2 b4 bed, and 2 more vaginally, After that, eat 2-3 per day, and 2-3 vaginally (especially 2 b4 bedtime). Stools may get looser. Maintain at 1 to 2 per day per oriface. Must be refrigerated. Buy the 60 capsule bottle as it 's almost the same price as the 30 capsules. Not a cure, but insanely helpful. I've been on this stuff for 3 weeks. I was about to go crazy. I had tried everything over 5 yrs. Side effect: at 3 capsules/day vaginally, the vaginal fluid smells acidic. Almost like stale pee. But hey it was just a few days. After 3 weeks I still can't try new foods, as when I do, I must do a vanignal capsule to calm down my bladder, but I am not in pain after about 1 hr. Blessings, Mary
Reader Feedback
It's interesting to read about The IUD then the bacterial infection followed by numerous yeast infections. Same thing happened for me in that order. I wonder if the IUD is the cause? Bummer cause I was probably the healthiest person in the world prior to developing IC.
Some information tho or hope for others going through this. I went to a Naturopath 2 months ago who found I had massive amounts of solvents (I work in automotive) in my body along with too much yeast. I started taking solvent removers and Unda 38/8 and after 1 week I quit having the symptoms of IC and have not had any in 2 months. I sleep through the night without having to go to the washroom and don't have the sudden OMG urges I used to.
IC is caused by something and once that "something" is removed, the bladder starts to heal. It's worth a shot!