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Hi everyone,
My name is Adriane and I recently contacted Dr. Brizman's office for a consultation. What I suspect as IC started last February and has been ongoing day and night. A month ago today, my OBGYN performed a laparoscopy where he found two cysts and endometriosis. I was due to have a cystoscopy to confirm IC (was due to have it last week) and I got cold feet. The procedure, the countless sites of hearing others with IC, the drugs being used, I just couldnt fathom this as the route I should take. This, I leave as a very last resort. That is when I found ICAMA and have been scouring this site for answers, for support. So, I finally decided to write tonight. I had been placed on birth control, 4 years and 3 weeks this month, Sept 28, 2007 to be exact for heavy bleeding/blood clotting. I knew it wasnt the right decision and now believe that this can be a major factor to my IC. Each time I asked various doctor's they told me not to worry but deep in the back of my mind, I didnt believe it since my mom had breast cancer around my age. I was placed on BC due to heavy bleeding when my son was just 8 months old. At this point, I dont know who to trust other than getting to the root of the various health issues I have succombed to at 39 years old - endometriosis, pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, depression of being ill, feeling isolated, IBS, abdominal inflamation.diarrhea, insomnia, psiorriasis, what I suspect as having vulvodynia (yes, it has taken my years to spell this out and realize I'm not alone). The list goes on! Perhaps this is why God has called me to find this site? I pray that this is my answer and hope to see Matia soon and that she too can help me get better. I fortunately am local (San Diego) but for personal reason's I have to wait a bit. I would like to ask for your candid feedback on your experiences, also, if you can share what I can/cannot eat whille I wait 1-2 months to see her, hopefully soon. I already started retricting my diet about a month ago and have a flareup and had diarrhea all day today. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I pray this passes soon.
My goal is to get healthy, learn about healthy lifestyle choices and come out as a success story and continue that path for the rest of my life. I know this may be a huge mountain to climb, one step at a time, that doesnt matter to me, I know I can do it, one minute at a time, with your support. I want to see my 4 year old son grow up, I want to be the happy individual, mom and wife I once was and no longer feel that I am. I've hit rock bottom and reaching out to those I feel can lend support. Look forward to hearing back from you ladies.
Best,
Adriane
Welcome!
I'm glad you have found this site and Dr. B. She is amazing! You are fortunate to live close by. I hope you can begin treatment soon. I would start with diet 1 as soon as possible. She says to divide your plate 1/4 starch (pots or rice), 1/4 fresh cuts of meat and 1/2 veggies. Using her food suggestions for all on list 1 diet. Only water to drink and she lists what brands ICers do well on. Simplify your bodycare & home cleaning products. There is a list of things that commonly cause flares at the end of the diet section. Everything from toothpaste, shampoo, hair spray, make up, perfume, deodorant, mouthwash, hand & body lotion, nail polish & remover, dry cleaning, all home cleaning products, swimming pools, saunas, air fresheners, fabric softeners...you get my point...can be causing you to flare. You have to think about everything you put in or on your body. I eliminated everything that wasn't necessary to personal care. I switched to a 100% olive oil soap. I used it to wash my hair as well. I used Tom's of Maine toothpaste & all natural deodorant.
When we have IC our body is very fragile. It's like a sponge that can't soak up anything else. We have to purify our bodies with good wholesome food, spring water and rest. Matia will guide you to health. She knows this disease better than anyone else. You will be in very good hands. Welcome!
I have young children as well.
My daughter was 7 and my son was 3 when I developed IC. Starting the diet and eliminating all the other irritants helped me a lot. I felt better very quickly. I was able to cope much better. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
Thanks!
Hi Emmarenee,
Thanks for the advice, I didnt realize so many things can attribute to IC. Is there a list of items which are OK to use (ie, shampoo/conditioner, cleaners, etc, etc). I will start the diet list right away. I wish there were recipes seperate to each specific Diet list.. for now, I'll start slowly. The strange thing is that the pain is so strong that my knees and legs are incredibly sore as well.. I've had this happen before but it scares me to think why is this happening? Anyhow, this shall hopefully pass soon enough.
Gentle Products Guide
Under Intergrated Approach there is a Gentle Products Guide that has a list of both food and bodycare products that Matia has compiled for us. Each item has a number (diet #) listed after it. These are things that she has found are generally well tolerated buy her patients at the different diet levels. Very helpful. For now the diet will and should be very bland but nourishing. I rotated my starch/veggies/meat every few days. Follow her diet closely. Don't be afraid to use butter. Your weight will drop quickly on this diet. You will need the fat. Also, read what she says about eggs, olive oil and water. I often see posts where people are having flares and it's the type of egg, olive oil or water they are using. She also has a list at the bottom about what may be causing a flare.
This is a very crazy disease. The symptoms are many. This site is a great place to ask questions and talk with people who know what you are going through. Always feel free to ask anything. :)
Welcome
Welcome! You've found the right place for support and to get well. Dr. Brizman is amazing! You will get well.
I have a lot of the same problems you do plus I have hashimoto's thyroid. If I were you I would cut out all grains for a week or two to see if it helps your IBS, I also found dairy a really bad contributor to this.
If you need someone to talk to please feel free to email me and I will help you in any way I can!
Kim
Welcome. You are on the right
Welcome. You are on the right path!
Yay! I booked my 1st appt!!
I had a 12 hour whirlwind work day yesterday and survived somehow but I wanted to share that I booked my 1st appt to see Dr. Brizman early October. I am extremely excited, like a child waiting for Santa on Christmas. I also started the List 1 diet, as well as threw out my personal hygiene items and swicthed to what was reccomended. I willl keep you updated post 1st visit.
Question: what do you suggest that I bring... I mean, do you think all the countless blood test results, surgery results are needed? Or, just a list of symptoms, meds currently on, symptoms, will suffice?
A huge THANK YOU for your support, I'm convinced that I'm on the right path, 1 day/1 step at a time.
Glad to hear your not
Glad to hear your not waiting! You won't be sorry. I came down with this awful disease in Feb too! I am doing a lot better already. I have a ways to go but I am no longer suffering or in any pain. Keep us posted!