Mental block...

[meResque]

I have been on the IC diet, eating only out of the Bladder Friendly column for 4 months now. (With the exception of parmesan cheese which I just realized is in the Try It column- oops). I have also tried Hormels Naturals ham, which was fine- also didn't realize it was on the Try-It list at the time. Past this, I'm having a serious mental block about trying anything new. Before diagnosis, I didn't have any bladder symtoms. No urgency, no frequency, no pain... I only have pelvic floor pain. I had a brief week or so after diagnosis in which my urethra hurt, but I started an antihistamine and it went away. On Thanksgiving, something gave me urgency for about an hour- think it was the dinner rolls. I went about 4 times in the space of that hour. I usually go every 3-4 hours now.

My urologist wants me start adding foods back in very slowly from the Try It column. I AM TERRIFIED. I do miss some things, and would love to have some mayo or sour cream once in a while! I just see so many people here talk about the HUGE flares they have with food. Other than my brief urgency on Thanksgiving, I don't think I've ever had a food-related flare. (Or really any kind of flare, honestly- my pelvic pain has been abating at a pretty steady pace). AND I DON'T WANT ONE. Has anyone ever just... NOT added any new food back in? Like not even tried to? I feel like that would be letting fear control my life, but I don't want to create pain just to see what I can handle and what I may not be able to.

Any thoughts? Advice? BTDT?

[KatieB]

I TOTALLY understand your fear. I DO have food related flares and my IC/PFD pain is not really under control on a good day. So I don't want to do anything that would put me in even MORE pain!! I think if you're happy on the safe foods then stay there. But if there's something that you're missing or craving on the try it list, then maybe try a little bit. For instance, I wouldn't eat a bowl of sour cream dip, but if I were feeling good I might have a little mayo on a sandwich.
It's hard to not be afraid, I get that, because I am. But when I start to get things more "controlled" I think that's the way I'm going to approach it. Even if it's just one new food a week, that's more than nothing. And it's a way for you to take back some of your power.
Good luck and if you do decide to try something new, let us know how it goes!!

[meResque]

Katie, your response really helped, thank you. To celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, I ate some homemade spinach artichoke today, which had a small amount of sour cream (made sure to get the kind with no citric acid in it).

In the last few days, I've been super nauseated at some random foods, so I was glad this has seemed to settle well. I'll let you know if I have any adverse side effects- I'm not entirely sure how accurate this experiment will be considering I just stopped my hydroxyzine and amitriptyline yesterday though! I also started taking folic acid- getting some some soreness on urination but nothing bad at all. My pelvic floor pain has all but DISAPPEARED the last couple of days which has been AMAZING. Really loving pregnancy so far.

[bob04951]

Way to go Me! Think you will see many ladies on here who thankfully go in to remission being preggers. Glad you are one of them, and hope it lasts forever! Jill, wife of Bob

[meResque]

As an update... no symptoms at all on the sour cream, so I'm eating more dip!!! Mmmmmmm!

[meResque]

So I lost the pregnancy, but am maintaining my food-trying ways!

Mayo- okay on a sandwich!
Sour cream- okay no matter what quantity!
Low-acid OJ- Not so okay... gave me that pressure feeling over my bladder for a couple of hours. Won't try it again.
Chardonnay- totally fine! Just one glass though.

Look at me go!