Needing Vitamin C

[kok]

Hello. I discovered I have IC in 2009 and have had very few flare ups by avoiding certain foods. For the last year, however, I've noticed that I bruise Very easily probably because I'm not eating citrus, kiwi, strawberries or other irritating fruit. I do eat as many green vegetable as possible but I don't know if it is enough. Any suggestions for getting more C? Any supplements out there? Maybe something like Ribes Nigrum (black berry extract)? Thanks!

[klite]

Red/yellow bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, potatoes, squash, spinach, cabbage, blueberries ... these are all excellent/ good sources of vitamin C.

[Carolyn M]

Good morning KOK~
My Mom takes EsterC (NON ACIDIC), I believe it has a Ph of 6.7 which is normal. Hope this helps. Carolyn

[ICNDonna]

So far I haven't found any vitamin C I can tolerate so I depend on foods to provide it. I suggest you talk with your physician about your concerns --- it may be that you don't need to supplement.

Carolyn, if your mother is taking EsterC and is in pain, she might want to stop taking it for a while to see if it might be a problem.

Donna

[Carolyn M]

Thanks Donna~
I did a Google on EsterC, thinking that it may be a culprit, and found that it is fairly nuetral being non acidic. Unfortunately my Mother has to couple the suppliment with her estrogin, at least that is what her Uro said and told her that this is the supplement for her, but I will pass on the info. Thanks again, Carolyn

[Julie B]

I am like Donna, I cannot take any type of Vitamin C supplement, but some people can take the Ester C or the slow release C. I did write a blog article about the various levels of Vitamin C in foods, if you want to take a look:

http://interstitial-cystitis-diet.blogspot.com/2010/05/no-citrus-no-strawberries-no-problem.html

The important thing to remember is that people don't need as much Vitamin C as you normally get in a supplement. The RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) is only 60 mg. :-) You can get that in a serving or two of broccoli, kale, parsley, or bell peppers.

[kok]

GREAT feedback from everyone! Hey, we are all different and some times we have to rely on trial and errore.

[Carolyn M]

So true KOK, that is why I love this network so much!! What a help!

Thanks Julie B~
I have made the food list up for my Mother, am having her call her DR. I guess it wasn't for the estrogen, rather for the low dose antibiotic she is taking, he has her taking a total of 3000mg's a day! Seems like an awful lot and I'm now wondering if this could be too much. I'm not sure why he has recommended so much other that the fact that the last antibiotic she was on made her so sick, I think it was a sulfer drug, so when he changed the antibiotic he told her to take Ester C (1000mg) 3x a day? Thanks for the good information. Carolyn

[Julie B]

You are welcome, Carolyn. 3000 mg is a lot, yes. Here is another article that you might want to read:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-c/AN01801

Your mom is very lucky to have you!!!

[Carolyn M]

Thanks Julie~
More great information, really makes me really wonder why he has her exceeding the 2000mg limit. She waiting to hear back from the Dr. Thanks for the kind words, my Mom is my best friend and I'll do anything just to see her through, one day at a time. Thanks again, Carolyn

[jacque]

Maybe try a whole food Vit C. I was unable to take any vitamins because I would flare terribly. I am now seeing a holistic Dr. and she said whole food vitamins won't bother your bladder and she was right!! It's worth a try. You can get them at healthfood stores that carry organic supplements.