I don't have gut reactions but I still don't know which foods really bother me. I know I can't tolerate almond butter yet. I find it odd that you are eating corn salad. Was that ok'd by Dr b?
 
Hope you feel better soon. We are all different.

Soniafa, I know it is difficult and frustrating when you feel like you can't control your symptoms.  When it gets like that for me, I just take things one day at a time and I keep working things through with Dr. B.  You've already had some great progress, and you will continue to do so!  Sending you hugs!!!

Hi Soniafa,
While I'm not really an "old" patient (1 year) , my IC has been around a long time and I can share a little about my own food/gut/bladder experiences.   I have been where you are, where you have no idea what to eat and are starving all the time but it doesn't matter because you'd rather be hungry than in extreme pain- do I have it right?  Everyone thought I was anorexic and I dropped like 20 lbs in about a month and a half.  My gut wasn't absorbing anything I was eating and I was just in pain all the time.  It seemed like my bladder was just reacting to my gut's inability to process anything. 
 
When your gut is so reactive, it's hard to tell what's bugging it in terms of food.  As you get better, it'll be more clear.  At this point, I feel like I can FINALLY test food the way dr. b wants and it's clear if I am reacting because the rest of the time I feel pretty normal.   The super weight-loss hungry times are long gone for me, it was about 2.5 years ago, way before I was in treatment with Dr. B.  I think everyone is different in terms of figuring out foods that calm their guts down.  I definitely found a meal that my bellly found soothing and would give me energy rather than drain me.  But a lot of it is guesswork I think. 
 
I was surprised to see corn salad on your list of things that work for you, corn can be kind of hard on the gut, just a thought.  The other tip I'd give is (as Dr. B says) make sure you're eating veg and protein together- and starch if you're adding that in too.  I definitely find that even now if I eat veg alone that I'll feel off in the gut.  It's the combo that allows for good digestion and I definietly notice that it makes a big difference.  Also I think rice cakes are hard on the system because they're so dry and drying, rice is easier (make it with spring water and it is esp. easier to digest if you soak it a bit before cooking it). 
 
These are just my experiences, though- please don't take it as what you should do if it doesn't seem right!  I hope you find greater comfort soon.  In the meantime, I also found that yoga really helped calm me down and in turn seemed to help my belly calm down, too. 
 
Claire

Hi soniafa! 
Sorry, I did not post earlier either. I can't say I am an old patient, also only just past the year mark. I too have not excelled with tolerating foods, which is very frustrating! I have never cheated on this diet, but have not made any huge improvements, but can see those little improvements that let me know healing is going on, just slower than I would like! Dier I do like your analogy of the pool, describes this process perfectly!:) 
It seems I can add a few foods, then have to cut some out! I have become obsessed trying to figure foods out, which my husband has not become too fond of, and doesn't understand where I coming from.  I guess I can't blame him, or anyone else for that matter. Until you have lived with constant pain, and food being a trigger you wouldn't understand, and I never wish that on anyone to understand where we are coming from! 
I wish I could be more help with your question of how long it took until feeling better after having such troubles with food intolerances. I know one day, hopefully in the not too far future we will be able to answer this question! But right now my gut, esophagus, and bladder are irritated with what seems to be everything that goes in my mouth. I do agree with Claire, my gut feels terrible, more gassy, bloated and crampy if I eat veggies without eating with something else!
Hang in there we will get through this, you are making improvements, and I know I am as well, just way slower than I would ever imagined, or hoped for!