Forums:
Dear Forum Members
For those of you that are further along in your healing path, could you tell me what improved first? Also, if you know what caused your
IC, could you list it? I am studying chinese medicine and the information is helpful.
Thank you.
Bonnie
IC and symptoms
Hi Bonnie,
Here's what Dr. B and I think caused my IC:
-Birth control pills for 9 year
-Heredity--my mother has IBS
-Not the healthiest diet. I've always exercised and ate lots of salad, but I also ate a lot of processed food and loved sugar.
-Other factors:
-I was a sickly child with recurring ear infections, for which I was put on lots of antibiotics. I think I've always been unbalanced with a weak immune system. The antiobiotics certainly didn't help
-My mother was on some medication when I was born and I wasn't breast fed. I sure that also didn't help.
Almost six months into treatment, I'm seeing lots of improvement, although it's hard to to tell what improved first. I think for me the improved bladder pain, regular bowel movements and better emotional stability all started around the same time. Hope this is helpful.
Hi Bonnie, As a kid, i was
Hi Bonnie,
As a kid, i was weak and sickly. I'd get ear infections, even a bladder infection as a kid, had allergic asthma which i got vaccines for many years. Later I had recurring UTI's as a grown up,4-5 a year. I was on birth control for 5-8 years when i started devoloping more issues. I would get cold/flu very often every year. Few years before I developed full blown IC, i got a HPV vaccine due to 2 abnormal Pap results that completely freaked me out. Thankfully I've had normal pap's since then, but pretty sure that was when my body couldn't take it anymore.
My first improvement was the urgency and frequency that prevented me from going out or even riding in a car. Once those stabilized, i was able to concentrate on treatment and deal with pain and other issues. Also, emotionally i got stronger. The thing that lingers for me is urethral burning, pain during sex and dryness, constipation. I am seeing improvements on those but not as much as I'd like yet. Hope it was helpful. :)
Here's my health history.. -
Here's my health history..
- Recurrent throat infections (tonsilitis) and colds as a child/teen. Took antibiotics 2-3 times each year
- IBS started at age 15
- Antibiotics for acne at age 15
- Started the pill at age 17, same year began to get UTI's (treated with antibiotics)
- Huge pasta lover, pretty much ate pasta for lunch & dinner for years.. no red meat, hardley any vegetables.
- Abnormal pap smear results at age 24
- Developed sensitivity to bright lights, constant sore throat, cold hands & feet, watery eyes in the morning & joint pain
I'm 2 months into treatment.. bladder discomfort has dropped from 6-7/10 to a 2.5/10.. Underarm odour has disappeared.. last period cycle I had no cramps or PMS or cravings. Hoping all the other issues will soon disappear :)
What Improved First
Very interesting ladies, thankyou. Not a good add for teh pill or antibiotics/ Wish I could get my 24 year old daughter to read these posts.
Improvements
Hi Bonnie,
The first thing that improved for me was parts of my skin. When I went to see Dr. B a year ago, I had really inflamed, red, peeling skin on my arms, back, scalp and legs. Once I was on the protocol, my arms healed up in a week. It was amazing! The other areas of my skin have taken longer but is getting much better. After that, I would say my frequency steadily declined. At this point I go 3-4 hours between bathroom visits when I'm feeling good. Sometimes if I'm feeling off, my worst frequency is now about 1.5-2 hours- which even 6 months ago was a "good" day for me.
My IC causes (I think) were anorexia/bulimia for about 15 years, too much sugar, stressful home life as a kid that left me hypervigilant and in fight/flight mode a lot of the time.
I hope you're feeling well today!
Claire
One More q for Claire
How much pain do you have in your bladder on those off days?
What Improved For You First
Could people tell me how long it took for them to see bladder improvement? I am in month 3.5 and so far my symptoms have gotten worse bladder wise due to stopping HRT and elmiron.
Claire- I am so happy that you are healing! I think my body never got revitalized after bulimia in my 20s and I am 53.
Lots to unravel. Skin stuff is interesting. I don't have much of that although some strange stuff has been appearing on my left arm- a scaly patch that I have never had before and a cyst.
On the other hand, if I didn't have the bladder stuff and sleep problems, I would say I feel pretty good elsewhere in my body. So who knows...
Thank god for this site. I really need it on a daily basis right now.
The improvements sneak up on
The improvements sneak up on me slowly, it's hard to tell when it's like "I'm better!" because it really is 2 steps forward, I step back. I would say at 6 months I could look back and notice a difference, but this is not to say that there were not tough times around then, too. When I look back at a year ago, it's like night and day, though. I still have healing to do, but if I had to live like I am now, it wouldn't be a nightmarish existence.
On my bad days lately, I just feel uncomfortable, I am usually not in pain, just painfully aware of my bladder and so exhausted and cold! And usually I won't have bad days, but more bad spells than a whole day. It used to be days in a row of feeling lousy, now it's hours in a row. Sometimes my bladder will sort of wince or flip-flop. I notice that when I get tired, my bladder will get sensitive. Regular meals, rest, and hot baths/showers are always good. I look forward to being able to participate a little more fully in life when fully recovered and not be such a homebody, but it's OK for now.
And skin stuff is so WIERD! I had a period of perfect skin and then about a week ago I got sprinkled with these wierd red circles about the size of a pencil eraser that I think are psoriasis-ish all over my upper back and stomach. Perfect for summer weather!
Bonnie, I'm sorry you've dealt with the whole bulimia thing, too. I wish someone had been able to tell me as a teenager that the long-term consequences would be as extreme as they've been. It might have helped me recover more easily.
I really think Matia knows what she's doing and once you are able to feel a bit more at ease and trust the process, your mind can become more of an ally. It's such a terrible, terrible struggle to be in chronic pain but you're not alone in this and we're here to support you. I hope you have some good times this weekend!
Thanks! I am trying to take
Thanks! I am trying to take good notes I don't want to jinx it by talking about it but i can say it here on the list: she changed my herbs and yesterday I had the first good day in a long time. It was amazing how I could feel my attitude shift. I really appreciate knowing about your healing trajectory. It is interesting that one of your symptoms is cold. What is that about?
The bulemia thing has had a long tail for me. I was really using it to hide from feelings that came as a result of a very chaotic childhood. It has taken about 25 years after stopping the active behavior to get some perspective and ease about the whole thing. But it is only this year that I realize that I went from buimia to chronic fatigue to allergies to alchohol to IBS to IC...
Dear Bonnie,you will get
Dear Bonnie,
you will get better if you stay on the protocol. Like you, I went through installations, the most painful dramatic experience of my life. I started getting better almost immediately after starting diet, but did not feel a real relief until about 4-6 months.
I am still dealing with number of issues, but I am in better shape than I was a year ago. There was no other route to take for me than Dr Brizman. I am glad that I ended up in her care.