Folic Acid?

[lauraeg]

Has anyone had any problems taking folic acid supplements?
Urologist said not to take them - but ob/gyn says I should try...my IC is under control right now, and we are trying to have a baby - so I am torn.

[meResque]

My urologist said that they are fine, and I have been on them for weeks with no problems. I take a full 1mg.

[JennyBird]

We are TTC, and i started taking 800mg 1x a day 2 months ago. My baldder was fine when i started taking, and it's increasingly getting worse. I was in severe pain, going to the bathroom every 15-20 minutes, and getting no relief. I forgot to take it this week b/c I've had a cold, and all my pain and frequency cleared up by mid-day the first day I didn't take it.

I know it's so important, so I took it again today, and am starting to have some pain again. I read it's one of those vitamins that you will pee out if you don't absorb it, so I'm wondering if that's the problem. I'm wondering if i take in smaller doses a few times a day if it will help? Maybe I'll adsorb more, and less will make it to my bladder?

I'm so scared about this. We're taking this month off from TTC b/c my bladder has felt so bad. I know it's so important, but if it is causing my pain, I'm not sure what to do.

Anyone have the same thing?

[lauraeg]

Both my uro and gyno said that a children's multi vitamin would be sufficient for me. I did have a blood test & they tested my folic acid levels and they were good, and I do not have any family history of neural tube problems. If you are in the same situation, I would talk to your doctor and see if the children's will work for you. They don't bother me at all.

Best wishes!

[JennyBird]

interesting! what childrens vitamin do you take? I've stopped all vitamins b/c I really found they bothered me when i was first dianosed with IC. I eat pretty balanced, so my vitamin levels seem ok. the doctors just wanted me to take a folic acid vitamin.

I'll ask my gyno about getting tested for folate. If my levels are ok, there's no need to put myself through the agony of taking a suppliment. I"m also going to try taking a lower does as well.

thank you for the advice, it makes me feel better!

[musiclover]

I try to take folic acid everyday since I stopped birth control. It doesn't flare me on day one, or even two. But after about 3 days of taking it I have an increase in symptoms at which time I usually stop taking them for a few days. When I miss them I try instead to eat lots of spinach and other foods with folic acid to make up for missing it.

[JennyBird]

musiclover,
you can eat spinach?! jealous!! I really miss it, but i can't eat it b/c it's high in oxalates and really bothers me. I noticed folic acid is in every carb imaginable, rice, pasta, wraps, etc... plus lentils are very high in folic acid, which is safe on the IC and oxalate list. I make a dip (kind of like hummus) and eat as a snack. I think I'm getting a decent amount of folic acid, but not sure it's enough.

[Melissa66]

Folic Acid

I started taking 400mg Folic Acid yesterday and my symptoms flared up alot. Today I'll try taking 200mg and see if that dosage is tolerable.

My husband and I are TTC and I'm not afraid of what a possible pregnancy could do to my IC. My urologist and OB/GYN can help me control symptoms if needed.


Enablex 7.5mg/day -- what a great medication!

[ICNDonna]

Most people with IC can eat spinach. It's never been a problem for me.

Donna

[JennyBird]

Hi Donna-I have VV as well as IC and have to be on both the IC diet and low-oxalate diet. Spinach is very high in oxalates, and gives me terrible external urethra burning and frequency. Wish I could eat it still, but really have to stay away from high-medium oxalate foods. It's very restrictive.

Melissa-I was taking 800mgc of folic acid for about 2 months, and I've had the worst flare that I've had in a few years. It seemed to build up over time, not right away. My doctor is running vitamin tests on me now-waiting for the results. She did say 2-3 servings of leafy greens would let me get my daily folic acid intake, and it's better to get nutrients from food rather than suppliments anyways. I've stopped the folic acid about 3 weeks ago, and I'm still trying to get over this flare. I am worried about my IC in pregnancy b/c this pain is horrible and I'm very scared about the safety of the medications I'm currently taking for the flare. I"m about to ovulate next week, and I'm scared to try again this month b/c i don't want to start out a pregnancy in a bad place IC-wise. I"m so upset too b/c 6 months ago I was doing really well, and my husband and I just didn't feel ready yet. We tried once in Feb, and I didn't get pregnant. Then the pain started in early March, and has been there off and on since, so we haven't tried the last 2 times. I"m so upset.

[sassysheryl]

I’ve just been diagnosed with anemia and need to supplement with folic acid or folate but it’s causing me major problems. Has anyone tried transdermal vitamins? Do they effect the bladder?

[ICNDonna]

I’ve just been diagnosed with anemia and need to supplement with folic acid or folate but it’s causing me major problems. Has anyone tried transdermal vitamins? Do they effect the bladder?

I suggest you talk with your doctor to see if there is any alternative to help with the anemia without causing you pain. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with yet another medical problem --- IC is enough for anybody.

Warm hugs,
Donna