Strict adherence to diet and remission....

[izazen]

Regarding non-flare periods - how many of you strictly follow the basics of the diet (appropriate for you) or do you go back to eating and drinking like a regular, non IC person?

I tend to start galloping back to my old lifestyle after about a week or so after a flare. Its worked in the past but this time I'm not so sure plus I'm 4 years into the IC experience.

[kadi]

I follow the diet strictly all the time. I always have some level of IC symptoms--a flare for me is a sharp upward spike in frequency & pain from my usual level of discomfort. So, there's never any time I don't feel like I have IC. Cheating for me is usually disastrous & results in broken commitments or changed plans, so I don't do it. I want the best quality of life I can have with this illness, so I stick to the diet that does help me a lot.

[VickiB]

Like Kadi, I too always have some degree of IC symptoms. When not flaring they're mild, just enough to provide the constant reminder that IC doesn't go away. In the past I've attempted to go back to my old ways only to end up back in pain. I've accepted that my diet change is pretty much permanent,...at least 'til they find a cure.

But, that said, I have found I can occasionally stray close to danger with the use of Prelief or Tums. So I suppose I've mapped my own version of the IC diet, and that's the one I've accepted I must stick to.

Vicki

[ICNDonna]

The diet helps me feel good. I don't ever want to go back to the way I felt when I was first diagnosed and no thought had been given to a diet connection to my symptoms. I stick with it even when I feel very good.

Donna

[Linda May]

Diet

I stick with the IC diet after I did a no no and drank 2 cups of coffee, went into a flare not worth the pain.
I am even afraid right now to try the try it list. I've improved alot in the last few days and want to feel completely normal again for a long time before trying the try it list I admit its scary.

[ICNDonna]

Linda, when you reach the point where you want to experiment with the Try It list, be sure to only do one thing at a time --- and start with a very small amount.

Hugs,
Donna

[VickiB]

Linda, it is scary when you begin to experiment! I mean the only way we find out is by trying then waiting to see if it hurts. Heck of a system! Donna's suggestion is a good one. Start out with small amounts and hopefully if the experiment does not go well the resulting flare might at least be milder in nature, -and shorter! I don't know if it works this way for everyone else, but I learned (painfully) not to assume an item is 100% safe for me if a small amount 'try it' session is successful. Instead, I'd consider this like a good omen. Then I'd try the item again in the future with a larger, normal serving amount before taking it off of my suspect list altogether.

Good luck experimenting!
Vicki

[Mothergoose]

I always have symtoms to some degree, but I am way better if I strickly follow the diet. I used to be pretty much house bound and in constant pain in bed, basicly having no life, diet and a good Dr. changed that for me, i now get out, travel and for the most part will allow myself to make some plans.

I pay for even small indescessions, the other day everyone was eating oranges, I have not even had even a taste in 5 years, this is my favorite time of year for them, I used to eat them by the bag full, Jan through Mar.

Needless to say I ate small section, I had told myself I would not eat it till I was off the golf course and at home, but then I relented and ate one very small piece and 20 mins later I was paying for it, for me it is just not worth it.

But everyone is different, my uro says the people who get best control over this condition follow the diet the closest.

But having said that I have found I can eat a bit of dark choc occasionally, and I can have coffee in a lattie with alot of milk and a small amount of coffee. So i am happy with that, I don't push many other nonon foods.

It is a steep learning curve, this diet but worth the effort in the end.

MG

[Linda May]

Ic

I wish they would just find a cure so we can all live normal lives.

[Tealca]

I can't touch tea or coffee even after months of no pain... one cup will give me some if not a lot of grief the following day, but I will drink it to be socially polite on occasion, knowing I will pay for it later. I hit the MSM extra hard the next day, which helps me recover faster I think.

I also eat sugary/starchy foods on occasion, even though I'm convinced they trigger my flare ups as well. Although I think it's continuous consumption which is the issue here.

[blueberry72]

I stick to the diet at all times. I have found it to be extremely helpful, and although I actually likely need to start experimenting soon, I am hesitant to do so because my bladder has felt great following the IC diet. The only time I got some burning was when I was travelling and ate some food on a plane that looked to be plain enough- but for me preservatives are irritating and all food has to be very fresh to keep my bladder happy. I also was forced to drink the bottled water offered on the plane- whereas at home I stick to my safe brand. Goes to show me how food-sensitive my bladder is! Whenever I get a bit mopey about my diet I just remember to try to be thankful that I have quite a bit of control over the state of my bladder. Especially since many aren't diet-sensitive, I feel like I am very lucky in this regard and try not to take it for granted.