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IC/IBS diet - HELP!
I am not sure how to follow ANY diet now...I have IBS (c & d but mainly d) and IC...which cookbook (Heather's or the IC one) do I use?? Any suggestions welcome.
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(Added by ICNMgrJill on 5/19/08. I am sad to share that Verdicries (aka Tracy) lost her life in a tragic accident just a few days ago. We will miss her support, her encouragement, her sense of humor and, of course, the joy that she found as a mother and wife).
Tracy ~ 29 years old with Toxoplasmosis (from birth), Fibro/CFS (since age 13...ouch), severe IC, IBS-D, severe PFD (surgery made it even worse), vulvodynia, hiatal hernia, GERD, ulcers, severe gastritis, numbness/tingling in extremeties, pelvic nerve damage--mainly urethral, urinary retention, pelvic reconstruction 7.10.07 (fixed rectocele, rectal prolapse, lifted bladder, urethra, uterus, and repaired vaginal walls), Raynaud's, 2 severely herniated discs in neck and one in low back, anemia, PCOS, anxiety/depression/panic attacks (since forever). Still having major bowel problems (inability to empty rectum...any ideas?? ).
I'd like to be on House, MD as a medical mystery.
Married to Craig, a saint amongst men...who puts up with me and my eccentricities...
Connor & Mommy by the tree:
Connor with Santa...so happy!
I take: LIQUID Atarax, Flomax, Soma (yet again), acidophilus, Glucosamine/Chondroitin with MSM & collagen, d-mannose. MAJOR flare from Cystoprotek! Re-trying freeze dried aloe vera w/some decent results!
Tried and failed: Elavil, Ultram, Prosed DS, Benadryl, Bentyl, Valium, Ativan, Zanaflex, Librax, Sanctura (all caused retention among other things), bladder instills (owwwwww!), Elmiron (allergic-throat tightening). Failed Interstim-no feeling in sacral nerves...
I'm allergic to penicillan, sulfa, reglan, quinolones, clindamycin, and now LATEX!
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I wasn't able to use Heather's book because most of the ingredients were not IC safe for me. Everyone is different though so what may be a trigger for me may now be a trigger for you.
Is your bladder affected much by food or drink?
Mel
IC, PFD, IBS, Allergies, Chronic Migraines, CVID, Fibromyalgia, CFS, Numerous Laporoscopies for Endometriosis and Adhesions, Hysterectomy 2002 -
HI! I've had MAJOR IBS for almost 30 yrs......first time I had an IBS attack was when I was getting ready for my wedding....it was AWFUL! Since then I've tried SO many different medications and some things helped some but nothing really fixed it. Finally my new Gastro Dr. who's world renownd told me to "eat prunes!" I'd heard that thru the years but always thought that would make my IBS worse.....give me worse diarrehea etc.....but I was in pain so my husband said "let go buy some and just try it!" So we did and now I eat 5 or 6 dried prunes each morning and have NO IBS problems. I guess I really did just need that much fiber! I used to try all the fiber pills but they never helped and always made me feel bloated. Now I have to be careful because I had Gastric Bypass 3 yrs ago...but eating the prunes don't make me sick from the sugar in them.....they are just a great source of fiber. So I said all that to say this......if you are suffering both d and c.......try eating some prunes each morning. In a weeks time you'll see a BIG difference in your IBS symptoms. I have several friends who suffere from IBS eating prunes now too and they are SO happy that I recommended them to them. Good luck to you! Roxie
Double Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery 8/09
Unsuccessful MiniArc sling surgery 12/07
Dx'd Hypothyroid
Dx'd Chronic Axonal Neuropathy & Myopathy
June 2007
Dx'd IC May 2006 (after suffering for 25+ yrs!)
First Cysto 1979
First Hydro 1981 (Many treatments since then!)
Collagin"Durasphere" injections for urethra
Gall bladder surgery Aug. 2004
Gastric Bypass Dec. 2004
Dx'd: Barrett's Esphogus July 2004
Dx'd: Vaginal Atrophy 2005
Bladder surgery 2000
Dx'd: IBS 2000
Hysterectomy (fibroids) 1999
Laminectomy 1989
Dx'd: Degerative Disk Disorder 1989
For IC I use Elmiron, Elavil and Freeze dried Aloe Vera (it works likes Elmiron, but naturally)and Azo as needed. I also take Zegerid, Randitine for Barrett's Esophagus. (which causes me to have constant yeast infections!)I take Cymbalta for Neuopathy/Myopathy pain. I use the Climara patch for menopause symptoms. I'm on a very strict diet because of the IC, IBS and Gastric Bypass. I take Primal Defense Probiotics and whole food Iron.
I no longer have the awful urethral pain! I've been using MSM gel now for 4 mo. and haven't had a flare up or the urethra pain.....it's amazing stuff!!:woohoo:Comment
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I've had constipation since I got IC, probably from the meds (!), but my whole family (literally every adult member) has IBS. And the doctor's suggestions of Colace didn't really help much. Just taking fiber supplements (FiberCon) made it worse, which then worsened the IC symptoms.
But here's what has helped!...
I use the concept from Heather's VanVorous' ICN lecture about combining soluble & insoluble fibers in meals & that has helped enormously. I've also discovered that plain peppermint tea (I use Celestial Seasonings plain peppermint - has nothing added, just peppermint) is very helpful & soothing.
A surprise discovery was that pelvic floor physical therapy exercises helped my constipation symptoms as well as my IC.
Hopefully you will find tips here that are useful & bring you relief...Kadi
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I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.
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New favorite quote: "God gives us only what we can handle. Apparently God thinks I'm a bad-ass" ~Author Unknown
Source - Pinterest
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Current treatments:
-IC diet
-Elavil 50mg at night
-Continuous use birth control pills (4-5 periods/year)
-Heparin/Marcaine/Sodium Bicarb home instills at night 3-4x per week, more often if needed
-Pyridium if needed,
-Pain medicine at bedtime daily, as needed during the day several times per week
-Antibiotic when doing an instillation to prevent UTI
-Colace & SmartFiber to treat chronic constipation from meds, Fleet enema as needed
-Dye Free Benadryl 50 mg at bedtime
-"Your Pace Yoga: Relieving Pelvic Pain" dvd, walking, treadmill at gym
-Managing stress= VERY important!
-Fur therapy: Hugging the cat!
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