Flares? How long do they last?

[Want2BPainFree]

I'm new and in Phase I of the IC diet. Made a mistake two nights ago and ate a burger that was grilled at home with hickory chips, also grilled acorn squash on the same grill.

After eating dinner, a little while later I started having pain and pressure. Some urge, but not bad. The next morning, I was fine for a while until I ate the leftover acorn squash at lunch. Then back and forth the restrooms several times in 2 hours.

I drank over 135 oz of water and chamomile tea yesterday and also took Tums. The Tums really seemed to reduce the burn almost immediately.

However, today, I have residual irritation. And my irritation is more around the vaginal opening. Obviously, this has something to do with my prior diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis/vulvodynia.

So, I flare, and now the residual is vulvar pain?

What I want to know is....how long do flares usually last? I don't want to try to eat anything else until I feel better.

[nyaseen]

Hi there -

It really depends on each person. When I used to flare (soda) it took 7 days. I thought I had a UTI..NOT..It was the soda. I am so strict with what I eat and drink as its not worth the pain. I hope you feel better. Nazareen

[lnseagraves]

My flares always vary. That said, when I start flaring, I need to stay away from ANY triggers for awhile or I'll be right back in the bathroom in pain. It seems like when my bladder is fine it can stay fine (even with some trigger foods) for a LONG time, but if I do get a flare, I need to be EXTRA good. I'll be very sensitive (although not always flaring exactly) for at least a month to two months after a flare. To help me out, I take pyridium, drink a vanilla milkshake (crazy, I know but it does seem to help) and curl up with a heat pack.....

[Roxie2007]

HI! Do you think it was the burger.....or maybe spices that were put on it?? I can't eat any black pepper.....or hardly any salt and esp. no seasonings or I'd have a major flare. Onions can also cause pain for me. It's so very difficult to figure out what causes a flare sometimes. I know I can't eat the same thing 2 days in a row if I have any notion it might cause bladder irratation. Eating it the first time......I may be able to sneak by a flare.....but eating it a 2nd time.....will do it every time! good luck to you! Roxie

[Want2BPainFree]

Thanks for the questions. They really help me to think through, but there were no spices. Just plain, natural, no solution added, hormone free ground beef mixed with 1 egg for the whole pack.

I already eat a fairly seasonless diet b/c I have to eat low-sodium. I am used to bland. However, I do like the hickory chips because they add flavor without salt.

I won't be eating anything off the grill for a while if chips are used. Just don't want to be in pain.

I might try later down the road once the Elmiron starts working.