How Long do your flares last? going on 6 days

[miasowell]

I am on my 6th day of a bad flare. Does anyone know a way to make it better faster? I am down to water and crackers scared to eat anything else? I've had these before but always thought it was ovarian cyst rupture and just figured I would just ride it out. It always got better around the same time my period was over. Am I crazy or just a coinsidence?

[blue]

Having a flare for six days isn't uncommon. Mine usually go on and on. Therma Care Heat wraps are my best friend, along with baggy pants or shorts and a good movie and pillows.

I think having your period sometimes helps some people. I don't have one, so I don't know.

The things that help me are #1. Heat #2. Antacids #3 the big one, watching what I eat. It's amazing the problems food causes.

Aleve seems to cause bladder burning. I'm not really supposed to take Aleve because it causes problems with my intestines. IBS It's another long story. Anyway, I was at a friends house, and all she had was Aleve, I thought, well just one this time and I'll be ok. Well, I was not. It wasn't an hour later and my bladder was burning.

I'm so limited on the medication I can take. No INSAIDS, that would be like Ibuprophen, Aleve, Celebrex, Vioxx. It means Non Steroidal Anti inflammatories. It causes diahreah and blood in my stool, along with severe stomach cramps.

[mom_in_ma]

It varies for each person. I've had IC for four years. Some flares are really short...an hour or two. Other flares last months. That's, unfortunately, the crappy part of this disease. I hope you come of the flare soon!

[dancemomof2]

Blue gave you great ideas to help. The bad thing about flares are that they are such a pain and not knowing how long is a mind blower. Hugs hope you feel better.

[mary124]

Mine usually last a day or 2 at the most; however the last one that I had which was just a few weeks ago, lasted 8 days. If you have to work like I do, wear nice sun-dresses (if you can) or I wear elastic pants but the waist is up high so that it doesn't bother me, also heating pad; or the theraheat stick ons on great. Hope you feel better.

[jen74]

Before I started doing the heperin,lidocaine, saline instills, I was in a constant flare for months. I had pain all the time. That is why I never really understood when someone said they had flares which means it comes and goes. Mine never seemed to go away. With some I guess the pain comes and goes. Have you changed anything or have you been eating anything new? Sometimes there is just no rhym or reason for what causes these flares to happen though. I hope you get to feeling better soon.
Jen

[miasowell]

Unfortunately sex was the trigger. Previously to now these so called attacks were thought to be ruptured ovarian cysts. Brought on or ruptured through sex. I have even had a left ovary and tube removed due to recurrance month after month. Now I know it was more than likely the IC I did have a HUGE cyst drained previous to removal the removal was after subsequent "ruptures". I have been through quite alot of these just recently my gyno had me take this test and discovered I had all of the symptoms on the list. She started me on the meds then. I was flaring then cause i had gone to her office telling them I think I have another cysts but I kept telling them when I get these I feel like I am getting a bladder infection. I guess she just never clued in. She is very compassionate she did give me pain meds. I just don't think she knows alot about the disease/condition. I need her on my team for this So I choose to help educate her about this IC as I am sure she will do much research on her own. I just think we need to bring in a uro to consult with also.
Any thoughts?

[blue]

Wow, so many of us have multiple problems. It really complicates things.

[rosesitty]

Mia, unfortunately a flare can last as long as it lasts. The last one I had went on and on for eight months! Sending positive thoughts your way that it will end soon!

[Bethrlk]

Hi Mia and All,

My IC flares can last anywhere from a week to months. It is important that when you do have a flare, that you work with your gyno and uro to help calm the bladder down. I read your posts where you have a gyno treating you for the IC - DEFINITELY find a uro knowledgable and sympathetic to IC'ers.....Many times in addition to meds, rescue instillations may help soothe your bladder....I also find that STRESS is a killer, so relaxation exercises help me a great deal...

Good luck - feel better!

Warm thoughts,
Beth

[cyndib]

Flair length

Sorry to hear about your flair. My flaires vary, but the last one was about two weeks. The others have given you great advice. You have to find what works best for you. For me it's heat on the abdomen, ice packs on the vaginal area, antacids, prelief, diet, (even if you drink decaf-stop), lots of water and rest. Listen to your body, that has helped me more than anything.

I take the following meds:
desparimine
wellbutrin
effexor
elmiron
urised-as needed

Note: I love coffee and it was really hard to give up, but worth it! I tried the Caffix out of the IC Shop and it is really good!

[stac7_8]

I can truly understand where you are coming from. TRULY!!!!

I had to have my left ovary removed due to a dermoid tumor back in 05. Had issues with cycst all my life. I truly believe that since the cycst were SEEN ABLE TO BE SEEN that's what my doc (gyn) was treating me for.

But I do believe that I have had the IC since at least 05. I just believe that she was treating me for what she could see. But once we did the Hysterectomy and I was STILL having the same pain issues....well that's when I got DX with the IC.

I have lived in Pain like most....for years. I agree that there is doesn't seem to be a "fast" way to make it stop.

I hope you have some pain meds and a heating pad. The only other thing I can offer you is to drink more and more and more WATER. I know it hurts but that's my only other advise for you.

If you don't have any pain meds then I would call your doc...the gyn!! It seems that she wants to help you even if she is not up to date on the IC.

sending you manying hugs!! I hope your flare ends soon. For most of us it is something that we just have to live with on a day to day basis. I'm usually in pain almost every day....same days it is just 10x's worse then others. Good luck to you

[kari1980]

I'm going on about 7-8 week flare right now! So I know how your feeling. I've never had a flare last this long before and it's really getting to me. My doctor is sending me for tests this week just to make sure that is what it is and nothing else. I'm praying it ends for me soon because I have a wedding to go to in two weeks out of state and the thought of traveling and going in this pain is going to stress me out, which is not good either. Hopefully we'll both feel better soon.

Kari