Amy

Yesterday was my 9 month anniversary of working with Dr. Brizman. With respect to IC,I can say that I have learned a whole lot of things that I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on and my bladder is definitely getting better-albeit more slowly than I could have ever imagined at the beginning.

Hey guys!

So I've been trying to add the allowed starches to my diet, but don't seem to be able to add them in without more pain or itchiness .  Bummer!  I was wondering if its ever protocol for Dr. B to put anyone on a no grain/starch restriction until they get used to it...? 

I feel like the odd woman out.  I can't wait to ask her all these questions at my first appt. but would love any info or recommendations from you helpful ladies! I certainly don't want to just eat broccolli and meat all the time ( I can see how it may get a bit boring ...and it is!  hah)

I have a long history of annoying ankle weakness. Every couple of years I get a pretty bad sprain. I recall when going through conventional IC treatment the doc asked if I have weak ankles, which I found interesting. Since starting treatment with Dr. B 3.5 years ago I have had no sprains. I somehow attributed that to the possibility that I was getting well. Today, just walking down a leaf-covered path, I sprained my ankle. I am in a fair amount of pain but find that it is distracting me from any bladder burning so that's a plus! Can anyone here relate to this chronic ankle weakness?

I have always had wine with my husband. I was always very moderate. His drinking as continued while mine has obviously had to stop. I KNOW that this is good for my health. But it is really hard to wrap my mind around. All of our dinner parties involve wine. My parents drink wine. (My dad is pretty moderate for health reasons). My sister and I are close and she drinks regularly. My husband has cut back a little since I have been sick and he only drinks two nights per week at home. But he is also out for work and drinks then so I don't feel like he has made much of a sacrifice.

I bought some smoked trout, cooked and smoked, that is in brine. It seems that Dr. B has ok'ed smoked, cooked fish for some (tho not listed). Most brine has at least some sugar. On the package it says there are zero grams of sugar. I called the company and they use 1Tbs of sugar for 5 gallons of brine. That seems so little.

Has anyone been ok'ed for this?

I emailed her but probably won't hear back till after Thanksgiving. I had to buy 5 packs! I guess I can give it away if she does not ok it.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Mimi

This one is sooooo easy. And great to freeze!:

Sorry for such a crazy anxious post, but I won't be able to see Dr. B until January and need some advice :)

I just took an antibiotic ( rifaximin) for IBS and bacterial overgrowth in the stomach which seems to have helped my stomach, but my bladder certainly got worse.  That, and finally adding some starches in as I was exhausted without them ( even the allowed ones on List 1) is maybe what has done it, but I have felt worse for about a week. 

Today, I am probably either selling or giving away my beloved horse because I can't ride anymore because of IC. Two weekends ago, I gave away my other horse which was not as hard as this. 

IC took away one of the main thing I loved, horseback riding, I know I will eventually be able to ride again but the cost of boarding the horses on top of all the costs of treatment etc got to be too much. 

It is so sad. I kept them as long as I could but I know this is what is best.