Nicole,  You should celebrate!  I have mild anxiety issues and dread going to the dentist.  If you can face having nine cavities filled, then you are ready for almost anything.  I am especially impressed that you didn't even need to take Xanex:0)

Thanks Ladies for your support it was the hardest thing and I did cry a lot and had to postpone several times but I got through. Now one of them appears to be too deep into my root and there going to have to go back in and take out the filling and put some sort of medicine in to kill the infection. I am really freaked out about the whole thing. I think they are doing a root canal but I am not quite sure I am waiting to hear back. I am suposed to go on Monday I am upset because they should have done this the last time I was in or done it right the first time. I am supper upset. Matia is hitting me hard with the herbs for now and I hope it works out to kill the bacteria in the root. The thing is they packed that hole with filling already it's killing me. So I need  your prayers to finish this once and for all. I am so looking forward to the meeting this weekend I need it more then ever.
I just keep tellling myself I have come this far by faith I know I can do this.
 
It looks like I will be pulling this tooth because everything I read on natural health and teeth are against root canals.

I can finally add Potatoes  back in my diet yay. :)

In general I've been feeling better in my bladder and VV (with spells of burning inbetween the good places) to a new level and I had my first really mild period-little cramping/pain etc. For someone who was often doubled over with pulsating pain this is unbeleivably amazing. It's just crazy how much better it continues to get!I'm still not syntom free  or anything but I am overjoyed to feel these positive changes!

I went of Neurontin and only have one drug left!  My neralgia feeels much better than expected.   I was reading up on Neurontin and found out it contained lactose.  Hopefully, my mood and energy will also improve now that I am off this drug.  Now, I need to get well enough to get off my last med, which is a narcotic pain killer;o)

 I just realized that I had my first serious pain flare in months--and I hadn't even noticed they were gone.  I mean--I still feel crappy all the time etc--but that "oh god, I have to lie down feeling--a distant memory".  Yay!
 
My real reason for posting is that I'm thankful to not be using the western protocols for my healthcare.  I have major ear problems, and have for my entire life.  I have a very typical pattern (cold, fluid, negative pressure for sustained periods), and their solution...sudafed!  nasal stimulants!  gross gross.  When I told the Dr no yesterday he THEN recommended a netti pot!  Why would you offer the least damaging method LAST.  Oi vey!  The funniest part, he didnt recommend cutting out sugar OR dairy, which is common sense in naturopathic medicine.  I mean--obviously I'm not eating sugar, but he didn't know that!  So I guess instead of feeling cursed, I feel a little lucky.

Day 4 in treatment and I am so sick to my stomach, dizzy, muscles hurt, pain on and off in my abdomen, tired, moody, lower left pelvic burning, burning anus.  I am very happy about this!  This is die off for sure..the formula she gave me is working.  This is something to be grateful for..healing has begun.

And I have only gone pee TWO times today and its 1:00pm:))))))))))))))))))))Normally I would have been to the bathroom at least 5 times by now. I know things will wax and wane, but this is amazing!

this is just wonderful and inspiring...esp to new comers like myself...thanks!!  xxoo

that is so wonderful congrats and enjoy every moment. :)

I have been salivating looking at my husbands salsa!  I am so excited for you!  Enjoy!!!!

I made it the whole day without a pain pill which is huge progress for me.  I coud even imagine this a few months ago.  I had pain but could handle it.  Now I just need to stop the night time med.

I am very excited I have been moved to List 2, and I had an avacodo yesterday and today and it did not effect me!  It was so tasty.  Normally I would flare before treatment with an avacado. Not now!

I have got through my 30th birthday last week, Christmas eve parties, and Christmas parties without cheating on the diet!  I am very happy about this, cause if I can pass up ALL those sweets I can do this diet long  term:)

I have been feeling so much better for 13 days now.  My bladder pain is so much better and I have been able to pee without severe pain.  My whole peri area is calmer and more relaxed.  I have been able to exercise and do sit ups and curl ups with out my bottom hurting every time I roll up.  I have been able to drive to work with less pain and walk around at work with out dreading every step.  I have been sleeping better and usually and have been waking up only 2 times per night to pee.  2 weeks ago Matia changed my SF to Oreganol and it seems to be doing the trick for me.  I have started the Bif now also and have been working on increasing my dose very gradually.  The best part is I have been drinking very dilute instant decalf coffee and it is so nice to have somethhing other than water.  I have had the Mountain Valley water delivered to my house and I have 5-6 bottles of it in my car- ready at all times.  I take it into work, church. the gym, and if we eat out anywhere.  I can tolerate other water but I try to stick to my water 95% of the time.   Matia's protocol is working for me after 2 months, and I am very grateful.  I am thankful that my body is comming back into balance.  A nice side effect is that my acne seems to be way less too.  I am using lots less benzoyl peroxide and my oily skin seems to be a thing of the past.   This all occurred after a rough holiday season and just when I didn;t think I could take it anymore.  It was worth it to stick to the diet and take all the herbs as directed.  Yoga has been my lifeline as well as this web site!  I hope this encourages everyone to do your best, rest, and be good to yourselves. 

Just wanted to add to the positive thread –– a week and a half ago Matia added something to my protocol which completely put an end to my incontinence, which was getting worse and worse.  Since the herb change, I have been leak free and my urge is improving!  I'm so excited. Since being in treatment this time around, this is only about the third time I've experienced the protocol change giving me dramatic results.  Usually, they are so subtle, I wonder if the whole treatment is even working, because IC can really mess with our minds.Just wanted to report that this treatment does work, and that we need to HANG IN THERE.  It's been almost a year for me this time around. 

A few weeks ago I had my first ever menstrual cycle where I had no pain. also I cannot even recall if the ovulation time period was intense on my IC?  I was at work and went to the bathroom to urinate and lo and behold my moontime had started!  It was on time but I just forgot about it cause I used to get cramps in advance so I KNEW it was coming. For the last year and half I have had my cycle improve where I didn't need  ibuprofen to function and it was better but I still had what I called these werid blunt pressure cramps for a 1-2 days. They didn't feel as intense as my cramps used to be ( used to be insane horrible debiliatating cramps ) but they were still kind of there and a little uncomfortable but tolerable. This was the first one where they were not there. I kept waiting for them to show and nothing. I also noticed I did not have terrible PMS emotional issues leading up to my period or painful breasts either. WHOA! This is huge for me! Finally getting my reproductive/hormonal system on track! For those of you who have had menstrual cycle issues for forever-( me pretty much since the beginning)... its going to improve okay! YAY! Mary

the changes are SO slow for me, that I almost feel like they are not happening, but I am overlooking all the things that ARE improving because my frequncy is still there.  Last night I slept 8 full hours without waking, and I fell asleep without having to get up to pee.  I have not had any urethral burning yesterday.  I need to focus on these postives, when I am so focused on the things I want changed I miss the things that are.

Mel, that is great! I also for the first time in my life had something really good that happened because of treatment. I had a period with NO back pain, cramps or really bad mood swings. It was so weird. I had no warning that it was coming, just my bladder getting worse. So I hope next time it is the same!

Although my body is still not tolerating all the foods (swollen hands, joint pain), my bladder is!  I have tried almost everything on list 3 and have not had any pain in my bladder.  I am still dealing with frequncy, but the pain has been gone for almost 2 weeks!:) (except one little incident on Sunday)

For the last week, I have been sleeping like a baby :o)  Until recently, I used to dread eveings because my pain levels made sleeping really difficult.  If only I can move to list 2 soon.

Yeah! I had a period with tolerable cramps for the first time. This is my first period that I haven't taken a Naproxyn:o)

Hello!  I have only been in treatment for 3 weeks.  I know I am not jinxing anything cause this is it!  This is the answer.  I am already making progress.  I have less pain, frequency, bloating, pressure, back pain/leg pain, etc... I have been sick with IC since Nov. 05 and this is the best I have been in over 4 years.  I am now walking without pain and feeling like I have a future.  My anxiety is so much better.  I definitely have detox symptoms but that is NOTHING compared to the symptoms I had all the time with IC.  The diet is hard, but now there is no going back.  I can do this!  I am doing this!  Anybody out there who thinks they will not get better, know you will with Matia.  She is our answer.  I can't wait to continue with this journey because it just keeps getting better and better!
I thank the Lord for Matia everyday!

  I just wanted to share something with the Newbies and the Old-bies for that matter. For the newbies, don't be mislead by the lack of positive stories on this board or in other places. For the most part, the people that are active in the forums are the ones that are struggling the most. What I have found is that for the most part, once people are 100% better, they " move on", they don't want to share their stories, they don't want to offer support to others, they don't want to be reminded of all the pain and suffering they went thru. They just want to forget about  it, and think of it was one nightmare that is the past. Also, a lot of us are very superstitious and are afraid to share our improvements, for fear of jinxing ourselves and go thru those things again...
  There are sooo many positive improvements out there. I encourage the newbies not to be discouraged and I encourage the old-bees to reach out and SHARE... remember where you used to be, and how much encouragement you needed in the "old days".
  I also encourage the newbies to remember this place in the future. Its amazing how people say they will NEVER forget but once they are 100% better, they do forget !
   Take all the help and support that you recieved and pay it forward!!....
 

Hey all- I just wanted to say that after 2 years of treatment I am finally starting to really feel good.I read it somehwere and its true -It's like my sense of "normal" keeps getting better and better and better. I am feeing good mentally too- and my brian fog is clearing up! I had VV pain that was HORRID this past year.It's better. not totally gone but not inflammed sand paper burning!  My bladder has improved alot but can flare from time to time but it is def better overall -the VV pain is waaaay down and seems to improve each month a little more. My treatment has been extremely gradual and VERY cyclical with good and bad feelings alternating. The good days and starting to outnumber bad days for sure. I am noticing that I don't think about my bladder at all. I don't have werid dizzy spells or get up at night to urinate. I DO have some admitted digestive issues- which are the core of my Ic of course but we are working on those! In fact when I tell Matia- hey I get heartburn from the probiotics sometimes she will say- "that's good! they are working! " If I thin of more I will post more soon and I promise to be more forthcoming with the positive things! Love to all-oh and I am overcoming massive constipation issues. Very exciting. 
Mary

This is soo nice to read.Didnt even notice this before,idk why? Anyways I like all these post that are explaining the improvements that you are having.WOW, WOW, WOW !!!!!  For us IC'ers we know how big every little change is. AMAZING !! I hope this keeps going cuz its sooooo powerful for us newbies and the veterans as well,lol. Ahh I'm starting to see more positive on here and its appreciated!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR THE INFO Cecilia, Colleen ,Ballerine,Hopeful,Honeybee,Melsvensen,VHM and the rest of you amazing women.I cant remember all your names,I'm sorry, but I'll learn here soon.
I'll promise to keep posting my updates once I get started on my treatment as well. :o)   ~~ Michelle