I've had IC occasionally during my adult life. I've been lucky - my last episode was years ago. I know my triggers: caffeine, some herbal teas, certain allergy meds.

Well, I've been feeling so good during the last year I've been eating just about everything - no coffee per se BUT I decided to have some coffee yogurt, then the same week, some oranges, tomato sauce on all my favorite Italian foods, etc., etc., etc. So, for three weeks I've had the bladder pressure, the sore bladder feeling - more uncomfortable than painful.

Does anyone know how long these flares last? This is my first flare postmenopause and I've read that the bladder lining, like everything else, changes, becomes thinner and is more easily irritated.

Any suggestions?

I've learned my lesson.

Thanks!

protonix was prescribed for me--it seems I developed these stomach problems from taking meds for osteopenia.helps a good deal.you might want to check it out.finding the source is very important.this happened from taking only one pill a week.feel better.

Hi Helen - I have had these kinds of flares also and so does my hubs....last week hubs had a flare of IBS (I think) and he had those full feelings and burning in the intestines and bladder...I gave him some activated charcoal (totally natural and very healing) it absorbs excess acid (which it sounds like you have been consuming) and gas....he was much better in the morning after two caps at night.....it took two nights of taking the charcoal but he was fine just two days later...check it out!

I used this remedy years ago when I was pregnant and a ob/gyn advised me on the safety of the remedy....I have also given it to a kid of mine who has an 'anxious stomach'....it works!

Thanks for the tip on the ointment BTW....I can't find it here but will get it from the source...

best, CIC

Hi Helen,

I do not know how anyone can predict the length of one of these attacks. I also think that is is difficult to pin down the cause. Sometimes a virus might start off a sensitive bladder. A slight infection of the bladder would give the same symptoms and these often come and go without explanation. I do think that you might be right to watch what you take in. Lots of acidic things in, will need to be flushed out via the bladder and if it is hypersensitive it will react. Lots of clear water to dilute down bladder contents has always got to be good news and making sure you empty the bladder fully at sensible intervals is important. Tomatoes, citrus fruits, coffee, spices and artificial sweeteners tend to cause problems. So Helen, I think its back to the bland boring stuff! Cystitis is no joke..............


XIII

HBT - have been having bladder pain and pelvic floor problems the past year which the docs (GP and gynae) suspect is IC. (I refuse to have the general anaesthetic just to confirm my diagnosis as I am pretty confident this is what mine is as I only suffer when I eat certain foods). My attacks last up to 10 days unfortunately. They start with pain in my urethra and after a day or so the whole bladder is heavy and with spasm.

My problem was triggered one day about a year ago by drinking 2 tall glasses of orange and grapefruit juice at a friends house, along with a couple glasses white wine. I awoke the next morning with excrutiating sharp pains in my bladder and pelvic floor pain that went on for several weeks. I was tested and no infection present. It seems this bad episode finally broke down my bladder lining. Previously OJ would set me off with urethra pain for 2-3 days about 50% of the time that I drank it and cooking with sherry would do the same but that was nothing and very liveable with compared to now. Since this happened, I cannot tolerate most fruit and anything with citric acid in it at all and this includes all jams, fruit drinks, canned fruits etc.. I can't have tomatoes or bell peppers. I can't drink wine or even beer or soft drinks as the acid in those seems to set me off. Even sparkling water . No tea or coffee or dark chocolate. No spicy foods. I am still working my way through what I can eat - so far most fruits are out, although fresh apples and pears seem fine and cooked fruits in some (calorie filled) hot stodgy puddings are sometimes OK. I cannot tolerate any pickles which i used to love, nohing containing lemon juice. Bananas - just a couple of fresh slices cause me agony but I can eat calorie laden banana bread! It's a nightmare when you are trying to lose weight!

I'm still trying to build up what I can eat...I found the other day I could eat Italian pizza if I just have a small amount with something else bland as my main dish (eg some cheesy pasta) as the small amount of tomato is cooked and weakened by the blander foods. I seem to be able to tolerate a very small amount of baked beans on a baked potato too. Again - the key is it is cooked and so less acidic.

I find I get temporary relief occasionally from a flare from a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in water, but it doesn't last long.

I wonder - have you spoken to Joliejacq (JJ) about this? She has had IC for years and has been a lifesaver to me when i felt i was going to go insane! She has posted several times about it. She has some great tips such as sitting on a hot water bottle and drinking lots of water etc.

Thank you so much to all who replied. I will definitely follow your advice and I will contact JJ as well.

As always, it helps to know that I am not alone in this.

Thanks again!

Helen