Got a bad flare

[Stefan]

I have a flare up in the last three days. Kind of bad, even at night.
Yesterday I had my Pelvic floor PT and felt good for about 6 hrs afterwards. Usually I feel good at least a week after PT. So it is not from the muscles but has to be from the other component - the bladder.

Here are some new things that happened ordered by degree of suspiciousness:
- I have been using Stevia (including once in a backed cake) for the last week
- Have been taking "Cortisol Manager" every evening for the last 5 days for sleep problems (link to ingradients: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/..._AC_SX679_.jpg)
- Have been drinking almond milk for more than a month. Actually discovered a gum-free one called MALK without any garbage ingredients, but only three: almonds, water, salt. Here is the link: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/...0_._QL100_.jpg
- Have a new sexual relationship within the last month and although do not suspect anything bad will run an STI panel test


- Generally I am doing okay and in doing mito/paleo diet. Dropped dairy and almost all grains for the last 2 months. Walking 7 miles every day for 2 years and doing pelvic PT twice a month for the last 3 months ...

however:
- for the last few weeks I developed a sleep maintenance problems: started as anxiety issue one night when I tried to get back to sleep at 2am and now being more self perpetuating - use Atarax and Valium sup on as needed basis
- also for the last few weeks I noticed having generally smaller urine volumes and waking 2-3 times at night but not always for peeing. If I drink a lot of water though and wait I can make a volume of 500ml. My PT told me yesterday that she felt my bladder "being stuck on the left side" and she was loosening it through a massage. She said this normally happens when people have scar-tissue and went through some digestive-problem episodes. That's how I understood it.

So, I am trying not to catastrophize in my thinking. Maybe some advice can help me to connect the dots. 😎

Here is a link to my background story:
https://forum.ic-network.com/forum/p...rt-and-answers

Thanks,
Stefan

[Hypnogal]

I have been using Stevia (including once in a backed cake) for the last week ------------------- STEVIA FLARES ME always....cut it out. Try MONK FRUIT withOUT Erythritol --- you can find it on Amazon...price/but worth it.

- Have been taking "Cortisol Manager" every evening for the last 5 days for sleep problems (link to ingradients: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/..._AC_SX679_.jpg) -----------------------I looked up the ingredients. The "other ingredients" look okay - no flare triggers. As for
"proprietary ingredients" <<< a big no no for me....proprietary means >>> something that is used, produced, or marketed under exclusive legal right of the inventor or maker specifically : a drug (as a patent medicine) that is protected by secrecy, patent, or copyright against free competition as to name, product, composition, or process of manufacture. proprietary. ,,,,,,,,,,,KEY WORD SECRECY - the do NOT tell you all the ingredients. NEVER take anything
that says prorietary.....ever. Sorry but this must go. -------------- Instead for sleep try combinging magnesium glycinate (docs best) with melatonin (not too much) that will help you a lot.

- Have been drinking almond milk for more than a month. Actually discovered a gum-free one called MALK without any garbage ingredients, but only three: almonds, water, salt. Here is the link: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/...0_._QL100_.jpg -----------------Good choice / no dipotassium phosphate that is in so may (almost all) milk subs. However..... Okay but SOME people are sensitive to filtered waster.....some not / it's probably not this, but I'd take this out too - and then add it back by itself after your flare subside (alone) just to test it. You might buy one bottle of filtered water to check this once you are no longer hurting.

- Have a new sexual relationship within the last month and although do not suspect anything bad will run an STI panel test ----------- An STD in itself won't cause a flare.....however you should check all lubricants used / she-he may not even tell you about that or if a she/spermicide <<< all chemicals that might irritate/flare.
There are glycerin free lubes you can find is (a girls name) FAY <<<< just look up lubricant and FAY on amazon, you'll find it. NO flare and it's great.

I flare after introducing any "new things" into my life.
Stop them ALL.
When the flare stops completely,
add one thing back at a time.
It's the only way to know.

Go to YOUTUBE and look up meditation and self hypnosis. Try it. Just listen that's all you need to do.
Stop the drugs....you can get a hold on your anxiety naturally. You can...if you will try.

Hugs. Nancy

[Stefan]

Thanks Nancy,

I will follow those. I also do not suspect the Almond milk but will stop it too.
Didn't know that STD-s do not cause flare up.

This sleep problem is new for me. It started just a month ago unrelated to urgency. I am trying meditation but for now looks like a stretch to me because of impatience and anxiety sometimes.

Thanks,
Stefan

[Stefan]

Sorry, two more questions I would like to add:
- how could people be sensitive to filtered water?? Is that because of some elements from the filter?
- will pure ashwaghanda as a supplement be better choice instead of the Cortisol Manager? (for sleep)

Thanks,
Stefan

[ICNDonna]

The best advice I can think of is to stop anything you have started only a few days before your flare started --- then add back, one at a time, the ones you really want --- that should tell the story. If there was a significant change in your therapy treatment, that could also trigger discomfort. You might want to ask the therapist to go a little easier if that's a possible cause. I hope you identify the trigger soon --- it can be so frustrating to be doing well, then backslide.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[Stefan]

Yesterday night was much better. I will not be trying Stevia ever again (I neither liked the taste, nor I need to sweeten everything). That's for sure. For good sleep I will buy pure Ashwaghanda 500mg instead of Cortisol Manager which has additionally other "proprietary brand" stuff.

Thanks

[ICNDonna]

Even though I'm diabetic, I'm very leery about artificial sweeteners --- I don't eat a lot of sugars, but the only sweeteners I use are honey and plain old sugar.

Donna

[Stefan]

Hi Donna,

100% agree.
Btw raw honey is delicious. I like eating just a little bit of it with roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Stefan

[Hypnogal]

Very LATE answer to your filtered water question. The pH level of filtered water can vary from acid to weak alkaline. Just be careful and test filtered water you buy in isolation / so you know if it bothers you.

[Cinnimonn_Girll]

If you stop a particular food, how long before you feel relief ? Does it take a few days for the bladder to heal or is it instant?

[ICNDonna]

If you stop a particular food, how long before you feel relief ? Does it take a few days for the bladder to heal or is it instant?

If I mess up and eat or drink something that's a problem, I increase my water intake, take a muscle relaxant and rest rest rest. If I catch it soon enough and don't try to tough it out, I usually feel better by the following day.

Donna

[Cinnimonn_Girll]

So I had started apples a month ago and all this started after a few weeks of apples.... now I have stopped for 6 days and I am not feeling better.... how long might this take?

[ICNDonna]

Were all of the apples the same kind? I know I can tolerate only a few, such as yellow or red delicious. Some others are okay if cooked, but not raw. Have you made any other changes? Have you contacted your doctor?