Interstitial Cystitis Advice

This is my first attempt at blogging. Dated November 14, 2007

Please move over and make room for one more. I have IC too. I was diagnosed with it on September 10, 2007, after a cystiscope with hydration under anesthesia. No way I could let them do this in the office, though I have heard that they have done it that way. Seems cruel to me.

Results confirmed IC, and as an added bonus - Atypical cells discovered in a urine slide. So, had to have a CT scan. They are looking for Cancer. I will have the results this Friday.

As for my diet, I thank God for Uristat. It helps me deal with the flares. I also discovered a product called Prelief. These tablets taken with meals help to cut the acid in foods. See info at
www.akpharma.com. You can purchase these at health food stores, and supermarkets. I am so happy I found out about them. Of course, be very cautious as you experiment with any new food.

I am now able to eat Gala Apples, and even a Banana from time to time. I am not recommending anything - just letting you know what works for me. We have to find our own way through most of this dilema.

I hear that IC patients only get Bladder Cancer in 1 per cent of the cases. Seems like the odds are in my favor, but my fear keeps getting in the way. Waiting for test results is so hard!

I am not on Elmiron yet - have to wait for the CT results first.

I have seen a film by Kris Carr, "Crazy, Sexy, Cancer." She has incurable cancer, and had to change her diet too. Her blogs are great for any human being. Great advice...like no pesticides, preservatives, additives, etc. After all, we are what we eat. If IC is due in part to a compromised immune system, then we need to do whatever we can to fix that.

Yes, I do miss my tomatoes, coffee, and ALL the rest. It's a mental thing. I have cried in the produce department of the supermarket. We all have to deal with it daily, don't we? I try to tell myself to take it one day at a time. NEVER being able to eat chocolate again is too hard to wrap my brain around.

When I analize the diet as a whole, I can see that it is a healthier lifestyle in many aspects.

We all have our own crosses to bear, don't we? I pray God will give us all the strength and courage to carry ours.

Thanks for making room for one more. Wish I could be the last. I fear more hearts will be joining us. We are not alone on our journey.

May God Bless Us All!

Michele G.