New diet . . . more pain

[Library_Girl]

I know that all ICers are different; however, I am hoping for some help with an IC flare.

I have a variety of health problems (IC, recurrent UTIs, migraines, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism) and, recently, I was diagnosed with acid reflux (globus sensation, nausea, burping) as well. Feeling daunted by taking yet another pill, I decided to make some radical changes in my diet. I am striving to convert to the Eat-Clean diet (I am still trying to rid my cupboards of some items such as white rice, though). I have cut out all carbonated drinks and all caffeine. I have removed artificial sweeteners and most dairy products (eating some egg whites). I have also discontinued eating most processed foods (white rice remains, for now). I eat no later than 3 hours prior to retiring for the evening.

I have never noticed a particular sensitivity to diet with my IC before. However, I have been in a flare for about a week now.

Here's an idea of what I have been eating. I am hoping that someone sees something I am missing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

I am only drinking water (filtered, same as have been drinking for years)

Breakfast
oatmeal (old-fashioned oats)
honey or agave nectar
applesauce

Lunch
tuna with egg whites (no mayo. but a little bit of lime juice---only done this twice though)
OR grilled chicken
OR chicken sandwich meat
Whole grain bread
alfalfa sprouts
baby spinach
sliced pear

Snack
golden delicious apple
almond butter

Dinner
Chicken
White rice
Vegetables (such as broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, green beans)

Snack
Gala apple
Mixed nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios--possible problem, filberts--another possible problem)
OR frozen treat (mixed berries, almond milk, protein powder, honey or agave nectar)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diagnosed with IC 2006
Medications/Supplements:
Elmiron
Allegra
Imipramine
Crestor
Levothyroxine
Ranitidine (recent addition for acid reflux)
Sumatriptan (as needed)
Neurontin (discontinued recently since didn't seem to be helping)
Citracal Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D
TheraCran (have been taking this for about two years with no flare)
Benefiber
Miralax
Culturelle (between UTIs)
Vaxa Sinus Formula (have been taking this for about 6 mos.)

[Zygala87]

It all seems OK to me. I'm not diet sentive about most things so I am not an expert. Are you trying to lose weight? If so how is that working for you? As far as the flare goes I hope someone on here can see something I don't know about. I hope you are feeling better soon. Hugs, Ziggy

[ICNDonna]

I have bold printed and underlined the things in your diet that "might" be a problem. Not everyone is sensitive to all of the things I have marked. It might be better to give the pill a try for a while, at least until things calm down.

Breakfast
oatmeal (old-fashioned oats)
honey or agave nectar
applesauce Depends on what kind of apples.

Lunch
tuna with egg whites (no mayo. but a little bit of lime juice---only done this twice though)
OR grilled chicken
OR chicken sandwich meat Depends on what is added.
Whole grain bread
alfalfa sprouts
baby spinach
sliced pear

Snack
golden delicious apple
almond butter

Dinner
Chicken
White rice
Vegetables (such as broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, green beans)

Snack
Gala apple
Mixed nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios--possible problem, filberts--another possible problem)
OR frozen treat (mixed berries, almond milk, protein powder, honey or agave nectar)

[Linda May]

I agree with donna you got to stick to the IC diet completely to rule out the problem foods for you. Download the IC diet chart and keep it near by at all times like to the fridgerator.

[Library_Girl]

I think I may have found the "problem"

Hello ladies,

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my food list. As I said, I haven't ever noticed a sensitivity to diet before. In fact, I was drinking several diet sodas a day, eating WW chocolate ice cream (more artificial sweetners), salad dressings, boxed rice dishes, grapes . . . and the list goes on with no apparent difficulty. So, when I cleaned up my diet, I was baffled as to why I was suddenly flaring.

I wouldn't have dreamed that oatmeal could be a problem, though, especially since the only place it is mentioned on the IC diet list (as cookies, bars or oat cereal) is under the bladder friendly column. I knew the lime juice, pistachios, filberts, and mixed berries were a possible problem; so, I have discontinued consuming those. I had no idea about the agave nectar; so, I really appreciate the feedback there as well. I hadn't thought about the applesauce. Unfortunately, there is no indication on the package or the company's website about the type of apples used, though. And, the chicken sandwich meat is also an excellent observation. I shouldn't be eating it anyway (not a part of the Eat Clean diet) unless I limit it to something similar to Boars Head's All Natural line (No artificial ingredients, minimally processed;
Raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones; No nitrate or nitrite added; Gluten free; No MSG added; Vegetarian grain fed).

By the way, I did start taking the acid reflux medicine. I am hoping that it is only temporary, though . . . that the changes in my diet will help.

As for the losing weight question . . . yes and no. I decided to change my diet primarily for health reasons . . . hoping that a diet change may rectify some of my health problems. However, I am overweight and need to lose weight (also for health reasons). Fortunately, that is an added bonus of the Eat Clean diet. I have only been messing around with it (as I said, I am not entirely "clean" yet) for about two weeks and I have lost 4.5 pounds so far.

With all that said, though, I think I may have discovered the "problem" thanks to the IC forum boards. I had been taking Neurontin for about 14 months for migraine prevention. Before that, I was taking Topamax (another anticonvulsant). I recently stopped taking Neurontin because it did not seem to helping with my migraines. I am supposed to be switching to another anticonvulsant but hadn't started it yet. I had no idea that Neurontin was commonly prescribed to IC patients for pain management. The short of the long is that I stopped taking Neurontin a few days before my flare. So, what I am thinking is that even though the Neurontin wasn't helping with migraines, unbeknownst to me, it must have been helping with my IC pain! What do you think . . . does that make sense? Well, I started taking it again (only 300mg; you have to ramp up on these medicines slowly). So, I guess I will find out if it takes care of the problem.

Thanks again for all of the input! It is greatly appreciated.

Monique

[kadi]

Apples and walnuts = instant flare for me.
It could also very well be that discontinuing the Neurontin could have triggered the flare.
I hope you find answers soon & start feeling better ASAP,

[123456]

Spinach flares the heck out of me both for IC and IBS.

[bubbe1]

new diet, more pain

Hi,
For me apples and applesauce are no-no's, even the Galas.

[Library_Girl]

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it!