Can someone tell me how to use Prelief

[redjcmarie]

Re: Can someone tell me how to use Prelief

I noticed from the Prelief rep. that Omeprazole takes away acid. I actually take that med to stop stomach problems from Naproxen. (potential problems that is) I'm wondering if I even need to take Prelief if I already take Omeprazole. Or does the Prelief act differently? I'm confused. If anyone has the answer would much appreciate the info!

This thread is so old but I have to respond to this question because it is an important one. EVERY IC PATIENT NEEDS TO KNOW THAT Prelief and Omeprazole work in completely different ways. Omeprazole works on the acid that is produced by the stomach for digestion, Prelief works on acid in food. IC symptoms are caused by INGESTED acids and irritants. For example, if you put an IC patient on a huge dose of omeprazole and cut out their stomach acid, the patient will still get bladder symptoms. Prelief works on the actual acids/irritants in foods. if you want it to work it neds to be taken with the offending food, preferably after a few bites.

IF you use the powder form of prelief on or in foods or beverages, it will bind to the acid and many people notice that, for example, it makes their coffee taste diferently. If you take the tablets then the acid is bound in your GI tract and the flavor of the food remains the same. Some foods you may notice no differnece with the powder on them, and some more. To me, Prelief completely changes the taste of coffee if I put it in coffee. IF YOU ARE TAKING PRELIEF WITH A BEVERAGE ONLY, SUCH AS COFFEE, LIQUID BY ITSLEF LEAVES THE STOMACH QUICKLY. So you want the Prelief tablts to dissolve quickly...I break the tablets up into three or four pieces, they break very easily, then they will dissolve that much faster in your stomach and get all that pesky acid out of the liquid *before* it hits your intestines and then therefore next your bladder.

[Steffi803]

Hi Donna/ICN,

I think I could use your advice on the IC issue, as a newbie in the last week or so had questions too. I have a team of 4 dr's and finally one, after 19 months (my female ob/gyn dr,) called me one day and highly suspected IC, and off to the oroligist. Within 2 weeks they had the surg/porcedure scheduled. I was kind of surprised.
I'm having the cyctoscopy W/ hydrodistention new week, and have no idea what to expect afterwards ( pain-wise), or even if they will let me go home afterwards. as I am in a constant flare up already and have been duagnosed and treated woth IBS/other GI stuff for the last 18 months. THey are discussing Elmiron. Any tips? Greayt appresiated. Thanks so much.

[ICNDonna]

When we eat away from home, I take two Prelief just before taking my first bite of food. It seems to work very well for me that way.

Donna

[arkitekton]

marinesgtheroux, Bladder Elasticity?

You sound very knowledgeable. Part of my problem may be that my bladder has become fibrotic, and the concomitant inelasticity may be both limiting my bladder's capacity, and sending too frequent signals that I "need" to urinate.

Can you recommend anything to take that might increase my bladders elasticity?

[marinesgtheroux]

Prelief should be taken 15 minutes before eating. It acts like an antacid. It protects your bladder for what you are about to eat.

As for how much to take, I was taking 2 before each meal. My doctor told me I should be taking 10 to 12 tabs every day. I have now increased to taking 3 before each meal and 2 when I snack.

I have found 2 herbs that help a lot: Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm. They have stopped all my pain after taking for one week. I continue to take 2 tabs each 3 times a day. I plain to add Comfrey Root to my regimen.

Herbs that can best help to sooth, heal and renew the lining are:

Soothers of the mucous membrane such as:
comfrey root,
marshmallow root, and
slippery elm.

[Pris]

Thanks

Will do!

Pris

Just tried. Couldn't find 'contact us'. I'll call the number.

[prbetty]

Pris:

I really do not know, but I suggest you go to the bottom of the page and click on 'Contact Us'. You might want to send them an e-mail.

Betty

[Pris]

The 300 pill bottle is on Amazon now for 17.98, opposed to 26.99 on that site. Does that price ever change to be more competitive with other places? I would like to support the site.

Pris

[prbetty]

Dear Pris:

Prelief is available on this website, www.ic-network.com. Click on ICN shop and you can purchase Prelief in the 120 tablet size, as well as the 300 tablet bottle.

Betty

[Pris]

thanks!

I'm going to have my husband tell the Publix manager next time he's in that he needs to get his facts straight before telling customers such misinformation. Thank goodness!

Pris
ps I can get it on Amazon easily so as long as the product is still there that's how I'll get it

[prbetty]

Dear Pris:

Prelief is not being discontinued!! Prelief is alive and well!

I see that you are in Florida. This rumor probably started because Publix (who carried Prelief for sometime), has discontinued selling Prelief due to warehouse space. We are hoping this is a temporary situation, but Prelief is still available at all Walgreen phamacies and can be Special Ordered at any pharmacy including Publix.

Betty Corson
Customer Service

[Pris]

thanks

Thanks, Betty,

Maybe you can answer this. Where we buy Prelief, the manager says Prelief is being discontinued. Walgreens also said this. We found some on Amazon and ordered a supply but is this rumor or fact?

Pris

[prbetty]

Dear Pris:

Our recommended usage is to take 2 Prelief tablets with each meal and snack. More can be used when needed. Prelief is taken with all meals, regardless of foods eaten, because while some foods are obviously acidic, other acidic foods are not readily recognizable as such. Additionally something might be mildly acidic and still be bothersome to an IC patient.
(Pears may be in that category.)

Betty Corson
Customer Service

[Pris]

Prelief

My urologist who diagnosed my IC suggested Prelief, esp since I can't tolerate any of the traditional meds for this problem. I don't take it regularly since I only eat things that i now know don't trigger a flare. Prelief does help but it doesn't allow me to eat really acidic foods such as tomatoes, oranges, etc. Overall I find it helpful. I take 2 after a few bites of a main meal with meat. If I'm just having a pear or something like that I don't take it. I've never been constipated with it, but we're all different.

[Toto]

Oh...I see. They do work differently. Thanks for the explanation. So the Omeprazole is for the acid in stomach. However, the Prelief takes acid out of food, therefore it can pass through the bladder without bothering it. (we hope)