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Hello Ladies- A Belated Happy Mother's Day to Many
I am in month 3- a week ago I got put on List 2 after starting out intially on List 3. Last week, when contemplating the removal of nuts, cheese, fruit I rallied because I thought that I would see a huge difference. Unfortunately, although I have had some better days, I did not see the progress I had hoped for in terms of bladder irritability and ended up giving up chamomile tea, my only beverage because I noticed that it does seem irritating.
Today is the first day that I thought I might lose it and I might cheat. The amount of patience and suspended disbelief to do this diet is a lot and I am having a really hard time not knowing what things mean and where things are going to go.
WHY WON"T MY BLADDER SETTLE DOWN?
I should be doing a better job of being appreciative- I am able to work and exercise and function most of the time and I know those things are not a given. But I am getting very OCD about my bladder and my condition and I know that is not healthy. Any words of wisdom are much appreciated.
Very Gratefully. Bonnie
All I can say is be patient.
All I can say is be patient. In month 3 I didn't notice any improvement in my bladder. It came VERY slowly in months 4-8, then I had a big shift in improvement where I felt like I could live like this if I had to. Just keep taking it one day at a time, you can do it.
Absolutely agree with
Absolutely agree with Christine! You need to be patient, and view the diet as an integral part of the treatment -as important as the probiotics and herbs. If you can avoid cheating, it'll all go much faster. I didn't see any improvement until the beginning of my fourth month, but I've been on the upswing since then - the usual back and forth, but a clearly identifiable upward trend. Just approaching my 1-year anniversary and in the last couple of months I've been doing really great - loads of symptom-free days and only mild symptoms on the other days (I'm planning an anniversary post at the weekend!). But it takes patience and application - you've got to hang in there!
I hear you. I know how
I hear you. I know how frustrating this is. The only thing that helps me with the "ocd" you describe is looking at larger patterns not daily ones. SO- march was terrible for me but when Ilook back- Ididn't have any really bad nights which is my usual pattern even on good days. So my day to day wasn't great but the extremes were less. Yes- this is a leap of faith in some ways but one that has A LOT to back it up. I have made peace with the fact tha I have made the best choice to follow this road with Dr B and only time and diligence will get me to a state of balance.And yes- being grateful for what I can do is not just important it is absolutely necessary for me, I currently can not really exercise much or dance at all and I am a professional choreographer/performer. I can not dwell on what isn't there- that is a road to despair. So I constantly try to stay present and enjoy what IS. Believe me- I am not perfect with this but it is actually becoming easier to get myself grounded and peaceful than it was even before I had IC. progress not perfection. And remember Sarah C's analogy of filing up a pool with drops of water- you'll get there.
Chamomile tea
Hi Bonnie,
I'm no longer limited to food lists - Get this - I feel better when I eat jalapinos - they should kill me - but they don't. HOWEVER - I still can't drink green tea or chammomile tea! It is a very strange journey. You will get there - very well before me - one seems to never know.
Take Care
Sorry for thread hijack, but
Sorry for thread hijack, but just wanted to say, hey deir! how're you doing?? saw you post recently that you were feeling a hitch better - great news if so!
Hi Sarah! I had a much better
Hi Sarah! I had a much better month for most of April up until last thursday but I don't think this recent bad spell is much to be worried about (of course i was crying yesterday but today i got it together again) I am hoping it is just getting my period on Friday that started a little bump in the road and hopefully it will pass soon. Overall I am feeling so much better emotionally and spiritually dealing with this whole thing- it is a miracle. it has been a process of letting go and accepting and trusting. I am getting there! Thanks for asking- glad to see you are still plugging along pretty well too!
Bonnie,
it might take awhile, but you will get there! It's surely a work in progress. I had a couple of rough days. I am starting to feel a bit better tonight. Keep hanging in there, you are healing! Don't cheat. I keep thinking of what Dr. B says, "It's down the line eating." You will get there again to those foods you miss. :)
Deir, I am so glad you mentioned your muscle pain, as I have it, too. It's just so difficult, and I've had it for many weeks now. It doesn't seem to be getting any better. I have an appointment on Wednesday, so I am anxious to talk to her about it. I thought it would fade away, but it sure isn't! Do you use a heating pad when it's really bad, or any tips to help ease the pain?
Denise, I can't have chamomile tea either. I sure wish I could. But the strange thing is that Earl Grey tea settles my bladder when it is on edge. I can have green tea, but it just doesn't have the bladder soothing qualities for me. I know that is weird since it's on list four, but it's interesting how jalepenos help you!
Reaching Out
Ladies:
You are really paying it forward with these responses. I felt so good to hear from you all. Dr. B's info is so valuable and yet your info is equally so. I really needed to hear that I might be doing everything ok and my bladder would still be hurting for awhile longer. And Sarah, thank you for saying that the food is as important as the herbs. I printed out your comments and put it in my purse for future reference.
And I had a really good day with no bladder pain until this evening and so I am taking it in stride.
Sleep well and feel good.
Thank you for being there. Bonnie
Reaching Out- End of Week #2 on List 2
Dear Christine, Sarah, Deir and Mrs. A:
I am trying to make sense- prematurely- of my data from 12 days on List 2. My bladder has been better on about 2/12 days. The rest of the time, it has not been that noticeably better. I am guilt tripping myself and second guessing myself about what I should be doing better but Dr. B ok'd me for all foods on List 2 and I am doing that and nothing else.
My questions are 1) should I just chill and do List 2 and assume, that like you guys, I am not in month 4 yet and shouldn't be obsessing about seeing visible improvment or what I could be fine tuning? Or is there something else I should be doing to see more improvement now?
I think I was better earlier on because the effect of instillations ahd not yet worn off. I set my sights on feeling even better than that as the diet went on but instead, I have gotten slightly worse. So I don't really know what I should be expecting and would certainly appreciate hearing fromt ehbladder sages once again.
Love, Bonnie
Bonnie,
I send you a big hug and prayers! Keep up the good work you are doing on list 2. It takes time and patience, but your bladder is getting better. I am only 6 months into treatment, so I am still such a newbie. And even though I had a painful sort of setback week, I know that I am getting better. And you are, too. :) Keep persevering, Bonnie!
Bonnie- i think you sound
Bonnie- i think you sound like you might be a little like me. I have gotten worse at times throughout this treatment. Do I still feel it is right- YES! I wish I had just let some weeks ride as long as it wasn't really bad- without emailing matia or freaking out. I think I would have done better. So basically- don't expect magic- give it months to start to see some patterns of improvement.