A fact that over 98 percent of the interstitial cystitis/bladder pain patients can agree on is that the IC Diet does help, and is among the things that are within our control. We often ask, “Why me?” However, think about it this way: most people will get “something” at some point. There are arthritis sufferers or diabetes, while others have more serious illnesses such as cancer. Interstitial cystitis is a “thing”. In addition, if you asked ten people in the street if they were supposed to monitor their diets in any way nine out of ten would answer yes ….and the last is lying.
The positive side is that the individual’s IC diet doesn’t need to be more strict than you believe. A majority of IC patients realize that they can enjoy adequate and nutritious diet when they do some research to determine their own trigger food items. This is the concept behind an elimination-based diet. Many people don’t need to follow the strictest diet for long. While others IC patients can be great counsel but your own diet is likely different from any other person’s.
The most important thing to bear to keep in mind that diet isn’t an effective treatment by itself. The majority of IC patients take certain medication, and some require medical treatment such as bladder instillations or pelvic therapy, in addition to lifestyle adjustments such as changes to diet and managing stress. But ….my observations have shown me that the IC diet will always aid other treatments in their effectiveness.
Let’s examine an IC bladder in a differently. Consider the time you were a child and you had a knee injury that was painful. What did you do? Most likely the person you were with cleaned the area, then applied an ointment or bandage, and perhaps some anti-bacterial cream. It will take time to get better.
What do you think if, 3 times a day, you removed the bandage, and then scraped some sand paper over the knee wound? It will take a lot more time to heal surely?
If we consume IC trigger food items, we’re potentially compromising the quality and causing damage to the good that medication is working hard to achieve for us. In fact, I’m betting that, if we are aware of what they eat when they are taking Elmiron and take the drug, it will have a higher rate of success rate…just an educated hypothesis!
Why wouldn’t it be a good idea to give your bladder the best chance to repair its liner?
Remember, treatment for interstitial cystitis, like diets like the IC diet, can take time to take effect. Although it may be depressing at the moment but it can take several months or even years before you be feeling better. If you’re currently suffering it is essential to keep the optimism alive. You will eventually be better. Thousands of people suffering from interstitial cystitis have lived proof of this, but you must persevere and invest some time in helping yourself. If you’re in need of help go to local support groups or join with fellow patients online through groups like those on the IC Diet Facebook page.
If you’re new IC patient, ….hang around and ……..ask questions. ……..be you’re personal healthcare provider. Keep a journal or calendar. Note down your food habits as well as what’s going on with your day-to-day life what medications you’re taking, and what you’re feeling. If you’re unable to determine the cause, you can discuss your journal with a trusted family member or your physician. Sometimes, we’re too close to an issue to be able to discern the cause of our discomfort.