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Hi Girls, i´m fairly new here and i´m not even a patient of Dr. Brizman yet. Just finished filling in her patient form and now waiting for her reply. My symptoms started a little over two months ago and i was put in hospital during this time. they told me its all psychosomatic and i have to go in therapy. after i was released from hospital 2 weeks ago i start my personal research on internet and discovered that i have the same symptoms like ic-patients. and i freaked out. my boyfriend got so mad at me for being to hypochodriac. we broke up because he doesn´t want to support me going on this road, he still believes its all psychosomatic. but i have been following dr. brizman´s diet list 1 for about a week now and i has brought a great relief. i didn´t take any painkillers at all during this week. two days ago i cheated, cause i thought i´ll be fine by just staying positive and probably its really just psychosomatic. that was a big mistake. i flared up right away. so now i´m strictly following the diet. is it very important that all the foods are organic? i can have most of them organic, but the meat for example is way to expensive over here in Germany. do you guys still flare up even if you strictly stick to the diet? before i knew that my pain is related to what i eat, i had the feeling that i´m a victim of my body. i would flare up and i was asking myself why? they always told me its because of my emotions. but even when i was in a good mood i´d suddenly flare up. now i feel much more in control, as i´m researching a lot about ic and finding out what makes my bladder flare up. do you know if there is anybody from Germany in this forum? i wish you all the best. thanks for reading. annika
Welcome Annika,
Welcome Annika,
There is a saying in this country (probably dates me to my old age of 53) "THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING". The fact that you're getting results just by being on list 1 - despite what people, or even yourself, are saying negatively about this treatment - the fact that it's working is your proof. I understand this SO much. It took me three months of following the diet, and various herbal treatments that I scoured this site for (Herbal self-treatment - not recommended - it can make you so much worse)
As far as organic goes - it is better for you - but not mandatory.
You aren't a hypochondiriac. The truth is, even though it's unfortunate that your body is ill, you're lucky to have found Dr. Matia as quickly as you have - may have suffered for years before stumbling across this site.
Take Care,
Hi Annika, I had to reply, I
Hi Annika, I had to reply, I know how it feels, as I'm sure all of Matia's patients do,to worry that it's just in your head and I'm so sorry you've been told that by medical professionals.
Before I properly developed IC I definitely sounded like a hypochondriac and my husband would say 'there's always something wrong with you', then I got IC suddenly and I can see now my health was going downhill and into IC thats why I always felt ill.
BTW I've been in treatment for almost two years and I still have a way to go but I have improved so much from where I was in the beginning, you will too! It can be hard to do this naturally but I think it is the only option to heal completely from this illness and to have your life back, and to not be dependent on drugs to mask symptoms for ever.
Even on the diet I still get bladder symptoms though they have improved since I've been in treatment and i think flares might be caused by other things, like inhaling cleaning products by accident, using unsafe body products etc, ans stress can cause flares too and I've definitely had that happen a lot. It is important and helpful to try to find healthy ways to deal with any stress, I personally have found meditation really helpful and have removed people who just caused stress and drama from my life because that was all they were contributing to it. But again everyone is different and you have to find what works for you.
you are on the right path with Matia, she will get you better. It takes a long time to restore balance to your body, and it's a very delicate process and I am in awe of how Matia does it. She is amazing at what she does and an amazingly kind, and compassionate person. You're in good hands!
Also, I think just buy what food you can afford, Organic food is expensive and I buy what I can but don't always buy organic, though I'm inclined to buy organic meat first and then see what I can afford in my vegetables. BUt that's just me and I'm sure everyone does it how they are comfortable.
this post by Matia was very helpful to me to see that we can't cause IC by our thoughts and it is not just in our heads,
http://www.icama.org/blog-entry/so-much-my-mind-and-not-enough-time
Hope some of this helps and congrats on making the choice to see Matia, you will get better!
Claudine :)
Hey Annika!
Hey Annika!
You found the right place :) I'm new too! Before I started treatment I was in a relationship where my fiancé thought I was making it all up as well. He didn't believe me when I told him that when I drank alcohol it caused TERRIBLE symptoms, and he thought I was crazy for avoiding the foods I did... he would even pressure me to eat and drink the things I said I couldn't... BUT, now that I'm not with him anymore I feel so much better. I know that there are plenty of people who don't think I'm crazy and who will accept the choices I make for my health. So I hope you know that you will find someone who will be supportive of you and that WE are all supportive of you so you aren't alone!
You will still have flare ups on the diet, and definitely when you start treatment, but for me it hasn't been as bad as when I was not following the diet. From what I understand (I JUST started treatment with the herbs this month although I've been following the diet for about two months) the flares become less intense and less frequent with time. If you've already noticed improvements just from starting the diet, chances are you will continue to notice them and be aware how much better you are doing, so when you start the herbal therapy you will feel a little more confident even if you do flare up sometimes.
I am not an expert on the organic/non organic question. I am privilieged enough to be living with my parents at the moment who are paying for my groceries for me THANK GOD, so I go for organic, but I know that if I weren't in this situation it would be really difficult to buy all organic food... the meat can be so expensive, especially in Europe. When I was living in France though I found a few organic specialty stores where the meat was much less expensive then the larger supermarkets... I don't know why, but when I tried to buy meat at a regular supermarket it was EXTREMELY expensive, like 10EUROS a serving, but when I found the organic stores they were much more affordable. Maybe buy as much organic as you can and then don't worry about it. You can't do what's not possible!
Good for you for being courageous enough to find Dr. Brizman all the way from Europe!
We're here when you need us :)
Love and wellness,
Hannah
Annika,
Annika,
A big welcome to you.
I really commend you for honoring your gut feeling and intuition on finding a sensible treatment. I think most of the women on this site fully understand your suffering having lived through it. Unfortunately you need to disregard anyone who doesn't believe or understand what you are going through. Seriously, I might have a hard time understanding possibly even a sister if I had not gone through it myself. How could anyone understand suicidal thoughts? You have found one of the most wonderful group of women I have ever had the priviledge to be in contact with. I am amazed at their compassion, intelligence, constant support and , most importantly, their humor which can carry you through the darkest times. This forum has honestly become my lifeline as I am getting my body back in balance and feeling better every month I move forward.
Dr Brizman is a doctor like no other and will take your hand and walk you through healing. Believe the postings of the women who wrote before me and take a leap of faith and go see her. Like many women on this site, I tried the diet and made huge strides with that alone. But the diet alone won't get your body back in balance, so continue in your efforts to get an appointment so you can begin that path to feeling so much healthier.
Sue
I believe non-organic meat in
I believe non-organic meat in Europe is not that bad.
Welcome Annika! Hope you'll
Welcome Annika! Hope you'll find your way to visit Dr Brizman in LA.
i´m so thankful for all of
i´m so thankful for all of your replys. you really helped me a lot to make the last step. i will have my appointment may 22nd. can´t wait to see dr. brizman. i hope so much that she can help me.
Annika, I am thrilled for you
Annika, I am thrilled for you. Keep us posted on your journey!! May will be here before you know it!!
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.