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Hello all!
I just sent in my patient submission form to see Dr.B and am really psyched as I think this may help me piece some things together!
I am 28/female, from the D.C area and have been dealing with IC on and off for 9 years . I've had a couple of good months, even a year or two in remission controlling things through diet, supplements, and ( I don't know, magic....? somehow healing my stomach myself through a very restricted diet, but this time I am in search of someone who can be with me in this healing process.
I have a couple of questions however, as the food list intimidates me. Not in the normal way however! I have been trying a GAPS-ish/Paleo/very strict meat and some vegetables diet which has worked in the past to cure me, however this time it doesn't seem to be working that way .
I also seem to be overreacting to histamines, ( in meat, etc.) , oxalates ( in plants) , gassy foods like broccoli and cauliflower ( maybe cause I only eat them with meat, no starch...as I am scared to add starches- I flare with white rice for example!) , and seem to just be allergic to so many foods.
The question I have is this: Did anyone else have such food intolerance issues upon starting the program? I am a little bummed because I feel like a lot of people were eating wheat/processed foods,etc. and then cut back to the diet, which is what was the ultimate change, however I have been super careful about what I eat forever, and STILL have the food allergies/IC/IBS.
I am hoping that somehow meeting with Dr.B and getting her advice, on may be modifying the list, plus the herbs is what will do the trick and jumpstart my immune system, but I am a little scared that I have already tried the diet thing and I can barely even tolerate List 1!
I can certainly plow through treatment as long as there is a light at the end, and pain as long as I know that eventually my body will get tolerant again, but I am worried that I have already tried a restrictive diet and that I am still a little alone in this.
Do you all think that the herbs and all made the huge difference?
I am scheduling an appointment no matter what, but I am just wondering if any of you have any advice or experience with any of this?
The shining light of hope for me is that it has gone into remission before, and it will again. However, I am still in the middle of the tunnel, feeling a bit scared and alone, and would love your thoughts :)
Hi Pixie
I too am new (in treatment for one month) and also new to IC so I can't answer many of your questions. I do know that her dissertation is a must read, even if her thinking has evolved a little since she finished it. If people just used her recommended diet it would not heal their imbalance. The herbs and other things she uses, along with a diet that is based on the one published here, but tailored to your specific tolerances is KEY to her protocol.
There is so much inflammation associated with this condition that I am realizing that the healthiest of foods do not serve the healing process initially. (For example she does not recommend bone broth in treatment until list 5 because it is TOO rich in B-vitamins and the body can't tolerate it. Bone broth is big in the GAPS diet, correct?) Too many vitamin-rich foods in the early stages of treatment will exacerbate symptoms. I have learned that intolerances and even food allergies start to resolve slowly in treatment. Bring all of your questions to your initial appointment and remember you will learn a lot more as you go. Hope that helps and maybe some veterans have more to offer.
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
Thank you for your reply!!
Thank you for your reply!!
That's what I was hoping, ( herbs and diet tailored to you is key) ....I know it makes sense, but my skeptical self that has tried many things wants a personal example from someone to wash away my doubts I guess.
My appt won't be until January and it couldn't come any sooner...I have also purchased her dissertation , can't wait to read it :)
Yes, bone broth is huge in the GAPS diet, and thank goodness in a way that I was having issues with broth, because googling "bone broth IC pain" is what led me to this website with a post from Dr. B. Hopefully this is more of the healing protocol that I need to get over things for good.
( Awesome you are from SF by the way, I was living there in the city away from family for one glorious year until my IC/Gastro issues came up and I had to make the move back home with my family to D.C. I miss it everyday! Also, they are much more open to holistic health out there- that area is so in line with my thinking, I love it )
I can tell from how you write
I can tell from how you write that you are totally in the right place! How great that the search"bone broth/IC pain" got you here! I had very little cleaning up of my diet to do as well. The only thing I loved was alcohol here and there but I ate very very little sugar. So I get what you mean about many people changing their diet and seeing such great results. My sister came down with IC after she became sober. I htink it was the abrupt cleanse her body went through with the withdrawal of such large amounts of alcohol. For her to get into remission she simply needed to start eating FOOD. I don't know if she will need Dr B down the road but for now she is ok. I think the herbs and the specific tailoring of the diet is the key to Dr B's success. SHe is just so smart. As far as starch, she told me that I needed the carbs for my body to have the energy to heal. I had been very low carb before IC. Another interesting thing for me was that almonds were to intense for me for a long time because of the b vitamins etc. I can now tolerate them!
You are on the right road.
Pixie, herbs and probiotics
Pixie, herbs and probiotics are large part of the treatment.