Forums:
I'm just really struggling with the diet right now and am looking for some other's experiences.
I'm in about the 5th month of treatment (2nd time around) –– it seems like for most of the time I just ate what was on the list (I started out on list 2 this time) and I figured if it was on the list it was safe, and was vague about where my symptom was coming from. In the last month, it seems as though I've gradually started to be able to distinguish when my bladder flares up with regard to food. And I'm going backwards, meaning I've been eliminating things –– olive oil, butter, cheese, yogurt (Matia had put me on list 3), blueberries.
I'm having such a hard time living without oil and butter. And I'm trying to test each thing out, but find that I keep sabotaging my efforts. I'll try something with butter, and the next thing I know I'm putting something else questionable in my mouth, so then I can't tell what's causing me to flare.
For example, tonight I was testing brown rice biscuits with butter in them. At the same time I was cutting up chicken and cheese lasagna that I made for my family, and couldn't stop myself from taking bites because I feel deprived and because I spent so much time making it. So, now I don't know if it was the biscuits or lasagna that made the urge go up.
I've tried to stick to: Meat, Veggies, Brown Rice, Poached Eggs. But I can't maintain it for more than a few days, or I give in once a day or so, mostly because it's so hard with restaurants, or even just being in the kitchen and wanting something to be easier, or tastier
My husband suggests I make some meat fat by cooking a chicken or a roast and using that on my rice, or to fry eggs and such. Anyone done that sort of thing?
Also frustrated with my protocol. I'm really up to some high dosages –– like taking 5 of one thing 3 or 4 times a day. This means I go through the formulas and supplements like crazy if I'm on them for any period of time. Recently I was ready to run out of something that I was taking a lot of. I ordered 2 bottles to save on shipping, and the day I got them, Matia totally changed my protocol, to something else with a high dose, and I only have 3 days worth of that thing and have to do the shipping thing all over again –– that is unless she changes it around again. I'm really just venting here. It's just getting so expensive! I'm having to buy Bifido Factor like every 10 days. And I panic and think, well if I don't do it, I won't get better.
I guess the good news here, and validate this if I'm correct, is that I can tolerate high dosages of things that I couldn't before, like taking 4 Bifido 3 times a day and things like that.
I'm open to any feedback.
Thanks to you all for being here.
olive oil
I find I am only ok with one brand of non extra virgin olive oil - have u tried an alternative brand? The lighter in colour the milder it will be. If u can't have olive oil or butter that's hard, your body needs fat and I have read that it is fat that makes foods tasty so the less fat in the diet the more deprived u will feel and more likely to be tempted. I find I can stick to the diet if I avoid temptation but if ur cooking for yr family then u can't avoid being tempted. The only thing I can think is to suggest only cooking the yummy stuff for others when u are not hungry yourself. HTH
I use the Bertolli extra
I use the Bertolli extra light olive oil, I have also used the Carapelli Extra Light Olive Oil but usually go with the bertolli. I seem to do well with this and it has less irratants in it as extra light has been filtered again. You might try this.
Camille, your situation is
Camille, your situation is very similar to mine these days. I find that the second time around is much harder and much more confusing. I also started the second time on List 2 or almost 3 and started regressing back as I was finding that one food or another upsets my bladder. It's been a year, I am still on List 2 & 1/2, well almost 3, minus fruit. I was doing OK, than suddenly developped intolerance for tomatoes. Go wonder! I also went literally through 50 herb changes, taking very high doses, like 8 various capsules 5 times a day, you can only imagine what my monthly cost is. And, yes, the moment I would think I'll be on something for a while and load up on it, we have to change my protocol. I was at one point on 9 bifidos a day with other things, then had to get off of it, and now can't even tolerate 1/2 a capsule. And cooking for the whole family, my 17 months old, watching my diet like a hawk and working full time. Aaaahhh, sometimes I feel like I am losing my mind. I can only imagine how hard it is for you with TWO little ones. I asked Matia why it takes so long the second time around and she said that after pregnancy and breastfeeding my body is not as "perky" as it was before, thus taking it's sweet time recuperating.I am also just venting here :(
Ugh, Camille, I feel your
Ugh, Camille, I feel your pain! I'm also ordering Bifido every 10 days and it's pricey, not to mention appts. with Matia every 2 weeks and all the herbs. I try not to order too much in case we do change so I end up paying for lots of shipping.....I finally broke down and ordered Bifido online from Amazon....I forgot about the USPS thing....when it came today it was room temp, not cold, and I started to cry! 3 bottles of 90 caps, roughly $80 worth and I thought I had to throw it away. When I asked Matia she said it should be fine!?! So I'm a little confused but I'll use it if she says it's ok. I also am only tempted tp stray form the diet when I'm around others, out to eat, or cooking for others. If it's just me I'm 100% strict and feel good progress. Perhaps that is motivation in and of itself? I'm feeling a little worried knowing you are going through this for a second time?? I'm in month 3 - is that what I have to look forward to?? Finally getting well and then having to do this all over again? It's not so bad the first time...but I can't imagine it again. That freaks me out. Of course we do what we have to do, but please tell me it was because you went totally crazy after you healed the first time and didn't stick to a healthy lifestyle or...something? Some reason why you are having to do this again? Regards.
probiotics
Flygirlsam-not to worry about the probiotics- I talked to someone at Natren about it freaking out after I accidentally left it on the counter all night. It's something that you do want to keep refridgerated as much as possible but apparently it is still potent if its not at the cool temperature. I could be wrong but I thought I heard her say that its still potent for up to four days outside of refrigeration in like worst case scenarios or whatever. I always try to keep it cool but feel okay about it and it still works for me if I take a few bifido to work with me in my pocket in baggie for a few hours cause I forgot to put it in the fridge. Mary
flygirlsam
YES, it's my second time around b/c as 7 years went by I went back to old habits and had 2 births in 2 years. It was after the second one that my body coulndn't hold back the disease anymore. I was still naive about this condition after first treatment and didn't realize that I would need to maintain. I went back to sugar full time. I don't think many of us go around a second time. This time I'm sticking to Matia like glue long after I'm symptom free.
BTW, flygirlsam
So you are saying you notice when you stay 100% on diet, you DO notice consistent progress? I think sometimes I tell myself it won't make that much of a difference, so I might as well have that butter or whatever it is that I'm not sure about anyway. I wonder sometimes if it's not the food, but just the up and down and/or the supps. I just need some motivation, so if there is hope that if I do so strict 100%, then I'll make sure I do it! That means I'll be eating nothing but poached eggs, meat, brown rice and veggies.
Feel the same way about diet Camille
I am still very new in treatment but am having alot of issues w/ pain and burning all over...only eating organic beef, red potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, eggs and using butter...my only salvation. I am in constant pain and have very bad candida.....but I dont' know if I should give up butter b/cuz it is causing me issues or is this just normal pain from die-off and the ups and downs of ic...especially in the beginning. So hard to know and it's scary b/cuz you want to get better...I relate to how you feel Camille!!!!
I feel you
I am not seeing Matia due to cost, but I am trying to follow the diet, list one. I am allergic to potatoes and now I am having a lot of reaction to eggs, and eggs were my staple before. The only things I have left that does not irritate are meat and like 2 veges and a small amount of brown rice. I am allergic to basil and dill as well. I feel like this cant be healthy, only eating 2 veges and the rest meat and some brown rice. I also cook for a family of 5. My 12 year old boy (who is addicted to sugar, but I do not give it too him, he finds ways to buy it on his own though), and I have a 2 year old and a one year old. My husband is very supportive with diet and he does not eat sugar along with me, but I get so tempted to eat the chicken nuggets and mac and cheese..! AHH! Its so hard not to just have a taste of the granola I make for my husband. I know its not worth it, but it doesn't mean its not a daily battle.
Deb
at the stage your at Debbie it's going to be really hard to tell if that butter is causing you pain. Maybe you can just limit it to small amounts. Once you start having a decrease in pain then you will be able to figure these things out better. Your journal will be very important to reveal what is going on. It's good to hear from you I have you in my thoughts and prayers often
Camille,Yes, I do feel better
Camille,Yes, I do feel better on the diet, but the die off symptoms wax and wane. So far mine haven't been so bad. I'm only in month 4 though. I still have nighttime burning but I notice more daytime burning if I've eaten something I shouldn't have (not so much sugar but the foods that irritate). Maybe it's more mental than anything? Meaning, if I know I've done 100% strictly then I feel better about my whole outlook on my treatment and progress? Not sure. But according to my journal, it seems I do feel better when I eat right. One interesting thing that someone else mentioned somewhere else here....when I do cheat with sugar...I find I feel really good (burning wise) right after and even the next day. I assume this is because the yeast have been fed and are happy. Matia says the sugar is cumulative and can take a couple of days to manifest into pain/symptoms, so you aren't really sure what the pain is from by the time it hits. Believe me, I've cheated a lot this summer and I, like you, always justify it by saying, oh it didn't make me feel that badly last time, but that's how the whole vicious cycle starts and I can only HOPE that I can get to a point, even after treatment, where I can conquer my thoughts and my temptation for those yummy things. It's a battle for sure. From one foodie to another, I feel your pain and know that we will overcome! I am passionate about wellness and good nutrition, but also think there should be balance in our lives and, especially, enjoyment. For me that comes from really good and delightful food. I have to learn to find delight in this new way of eating, which is getting easier and easier as the months go by. Be well.
Sugar makes my bladder happy for a few hours too
Yes, I have noticed for sure, when I do not eat sugar for a few days symptoms increase, but when I eat it it then feels better for the entire night, then a few days later I am BAD. I am sure it is feeding yeast/bacteria. I have not had it now in almost 3 weeks and it is tempting to have some to feel better, but so not worth it, in the long run and I am not giving in. I also notice when I drink a small cup of coffee, I have lots of itching in the vaginal area.
Melsvensen!
Me too with the chicken nuggets and mac n' cheese! I've had many a tiny nibble of those over the last 5 months, I'm trying to refrain totally these days. Wow, 12, 2 and 1! You are an inspiration to me to stick strictly to the few foods I can only eat as well!
Thanks to all of you for your
Thanks to all of you for your replies. It helps SO much to be able to talk about all these details. it really helps me during many little moments of the day to know I'm not alone. Also wanted to share that I tried out ghee (clarified butter) thinking that maybe since the milk solids are taken out it might work for me. So far I think it's been fine. I haven't noticed a reaction. Next I'm going to try to make my own. I'm going to ask Matia just to make sure it's OK.
Camille
I totally bombed on the diet the last few days, and I soo payed for it..Just know I AM WITH YOU. We CAN DO THIS,even with kids! I am starting over again..but I am confident now, and I will not forget the pain I am in today with the journal I started.