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Hello everyone! I'm a soon-to-be new patient and I'm very glad to have found you all. When I was in the throes of being diagnosed with IC this past spring I did so much searching online and what I found were beaten-down people resigned to a life of pain and disability. I can't tell you how dark those days were for me until I did my own research into what causes IC and alternative therapies.
Finding this site was like a breath of fresh air--other people who had felt like me the bizarre symptoms that go along with this condition and who understand what I'm going through. More importantly, you, like me, want to HEAL, not just learn to cope with Interstitial Cystitis!
I'm currently working with a naturopath and Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor here in Toronto and have promised myself that if I don't see real results by the end of this year, I'll make an appointment with Dr. Brizman.
I've already started following her diet, but I did want to ask a question: Does anyone know the protocol for getting pregnant while working with Dr. Brizman? Are people with IC able to conceive and carry to term with this condition? Are babies healthy? Can you take the herbs while you're pregnant?
My fiance and I will be married next May and would like to start a family soon after that. As you can imagine, I'm so worried that being this unhealthy we won't ever be able to do that. If someone knows differently, I'd really love to hear it.
Thanks again for creating this website and giving me hope that I may one again be able to live my life after this nightmare of IC.
Hi, and welcome. From what I
Hi, and welcome. From what I have read on here Dr. B has treated many woman who have gone on to become pregnant. I do think she advises against it while you are in the beginning or middle of treatment because I do think a child born to an unhealthy mother has a higher risk of being unhealthy too. Are the Dr's that are treating you familiar with IC? I have also read about many other patients who sought treatment with other well meaning Dr's but had no luck in getting better and some even got worse. Not many people know IC the way Dr. Brizman does. It is a long trip to make to go to LA but trust me it is worth it and you would not be dissapointed and she would be able to tell you when you could try to have a healthy pregnancy.
Thanks Christine222. I'm a
Thanks Christine222. I'm a little nervous to hear about Dr. Brizman's suggestion about having children. I'm getting into my mid 30's and am freaked about waiting too long. I guess I'll have to wait to speak to Dr. Brizman to get the full scoop.
My naturopath is familiar with IC. In fact, she had it herself (in addition to fibromyalgia and other related conditions) and managed to overcome it using naturopathy and homeopathy. She however doesn't have a specific protocol for me and we're trying a variety of things, so far without too much success. My Chinese medicine doctor has diagnosed me with "Damp Heat" and I'm on herbs twice a day. Again, from what I can tell, they're not making me worse, but also not better.
If I could I would drop everything and fly to LA tomorrow, but I've commit myself to these other treatments and I should see them through before switching to something else. I'm very grateful to have found Dr. Brizman. She's my ray of hope right now and that sustains me when things seem their darkest.
If you look on top and click
If you look on top and click on the link "kids" it has a lot of stories about woman who became pregnant after treatment. I have only been in treatment since the the beginning of April but I have to say I am doing worlds better already.
Thank you thank you thank you
Thank you thank you thank you for saying that. All the best to you and I hope to soon follow your path!
Willow- i don't have a lot of
Willow- i don't have a lot of time right now so this is short but I would recommend buying Dr B's dissertatin. She talks a lot about Chinese medicine in it. there is one case that was made worse through TCM. You should read it ad decide for yourself though. I was going to acupuncture and a very alternative chiropractor before going to California. I felt like I wasted a lot of money. Your naturopath sounds good though since she is aawre of chronic conditions.
I had my 3rd baby 10 months before my IC started. i had a rough pg and she does have some small issues that I think are related but it is hard to say. Youare already on the path to wellness by starting a really healthy diet!! That is so important for pregnancy.
Also- many people seem to go into remissin while they are pg and nursing or so I've read on other sites.
best of luck!
Willow, Welcome! I have
Willow,
Welcome! I have two little girls, both of whom I had while having IC. Pregnancy fluxuated my IC symptoms between getting better and feeling the same. However, you will see emphasized on this site... each one of our bodies is different.
I have only recently begun working with Dr. Brizman (about a month) but began the diet three months before I was able to see her. I think Deir's suggestion is a good one... buy her dissertation and judge for yourself. The dissertation was the final convincing I needed that the trip to LA was the right path for me. Plus, having my husband read her dissertation was a convenient way to help him understand my/our choice.
Good luck and as you have questions.... we are here:)
Katie
Willow- I wouldn't worry too
Willow- I wouldn't worry too much about the pregnancy issue. Life must continue in spite of IC. I think you have a good chance of improving your health significantly before next May! I am assuming my IC was under the surface when I conceived and carried my 3rd child last year. She has some issues with her gut we think so she is a tiny little one and doesn't tolerate dairy too well (she gets a diaper rash). other than that she is smart, adorable, developmentally perfect and a joy. I am still breastfeeding her which is huge as far as gut health goes and we are working on her with a homeopath to help her gain a little more weight and tolerate dairy and wheat. She has grown steadily but just not enough. It isn't in scary mode but I am concerned enough to work on it. Most people wouldn't even be concerned but they don't knwo what I do. Ignorance is bliss...maybe! I am hoping to help Nora grow to be a healthy woman who doesn't have to go through this.
My other boys (6,8)are very healthy as far as I know and if Dr B is right (which she is) this condition was there in me for a long time before it reared its ugly head.
I almost want to get pg again just to see if the changes in my diet would make for a nicer non nauseated pregnancy! (Not really though. Right now would NOT be the time to get pregnant for me!!! )
You are on the road to recovery and healthy motherhood!!!
best of luck.
Welcome!
I want to tell you where I've come from and give some advice. Where to start? I was hit (like a bus) by IC one day. I was 45, my daughter was 7 and my son was 3. Like you, I searched the internet for some kind of hope. I found this site and my life was changed. I started the diet and felt better very quickly. Six months later I went out (with my daughter) and started seeing Matia. It was with her amazing experience and her protocol that we have healed.
To answer some of your questions. I was still nursing (yes at age three!) my son at night. Matia has two children of her own and is very supportive of nursing. She assured me that the herbs would be fine. She also explained that when a person has a body imbalance (like IC) it can be passed to her children. This I knew from reading all of the Success Stories. This was also the reason I had brought my daughter with me. She was having a variety of health issues. This was a baby who had been exclusively breast feed until the age of one, had eaten an organic diet and ate far less sugar than your average American child. Yet she was constipated, had reoccurring ear/sinus infection and UTI's. My son has also had health issues as well. I take him to a local Herbalist and we are getting him in balance. I shudder to think what our lives would be like today without Matia's help.
Please don't wait to see Matia. She knows this disease better than anyone and she will help you heal. She will help you through your pregnancy. Please heal yourself before starting a family. If your body is in balance you will conceive without problems and have a healthy baby.
HUGS,
Tammy
Some other questions from a newbie
Thank you all for your replies. That is a good idea to read Dr. B's dissertation. I think it may also help my fiancé understand what's going on. I really feel like I've found here a community of like-minded people. I too want to get healthy and start a healthy family. If that means waiting a little longer, so be it.
I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I troubled you with some other questions? I'm just so excited to find a group of people who've gone through what I'm experiencing.
-The tooth pain, is that simply related to IC or could it be a sign on healing (or worsening)? I've had that come and go now a few times. I've also heard a strange crackling sounds in my ears. I've heard that can be related to Candida but I'm not sure how.
-The List 1 diet, do you know if we're allowed veggie broth as part of that diet (so long as it's organic, no additives, etc.)? Also, so you know if unsweetened brown rice milk is allowed? That would allow me to broaden my menu a little...
Thanks again for your advice and support.
Lauren
Tooth pain does happen for
Tooth pain does happen for some people. I've had it a few times but luckily it only lasted a few days. I've had ringing in the ears but not crackling so I'm not sure about that. I think the veggie broth would be ok, I know I would use it. The rice milk will have to wait until later in treatment. Hope this helps.