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[Brownie]

Hi
Wondered if anyone can help please. I was diagnosed with IC couple of years ago. Had been Elmiron for 6 months or so + things going ok. For past few months I have been having flare ups every few days, settles down then starts again. Practically spent most of this time in the house/bed and it's getting me down that I can't get out + hubby at end of his tether too !!!
Apparently I had a UTI which then led to thrush. I've had more intense UTI testing but no infection although will hand further samples in next week.
My main question was that I never really felt food/drink was a trigger for me but I'm wondering can this change over time ?
I've now been taking marshmallow leaf tea/aloe Vera capsules + GP now given me vesicare to try.
Sorry for long post, any help would be appreciated Xx

[CLKD]

Could you explain what OAB and IC might mean 

I wasn't aware that marshmallow has leaves    Aloe Vera is supposedly very good at treating some complaints, but apparently is VILE  .

Vesicare ? 

U may need treatment for vaginal atrophy which can mimic urine infection-type symptoms really really well and which GPs fail to realise.  If your urine isn't growing any bugs, then your GP should be prescribing appropriate VA treatments.  Usually 'vagifem' or 'ovestin' are suggested, do read 'the bladder issues' thread and any relating to VA.  Getting a copy of 'me and my menopausal vagina' might be worth while, a very good read.

[Brownie]

Overactive bladder + interstitial cystitis. I know some ladies on here have those conditions.

Yeah I'm on the generic estriol + use it most nights now. I'm taking aloe Vera capsules which are supposed to be good for the bladder as is marshmallow root/leaf tea.

I just wondered if something I used to be able to eat/drink before can potentially now be irritating to the bladder

[Wrensong]

Hi Brownie,

My main question was that I never really felt food/drink was a trigger for me but I'm wondering can this change over time

I'm another with a long history of IC, diagnosed on cystoscopy in my 40s & still intermittently problematic in my early 60s.  You have my sympathy, as the discomfort can be miserable & at times overwhelming.  A few of us have been discussing this recently on a thread started by Kirsti called something like "is this much pain normal", which I'll find & bump for you. 

There's also a link here that may be helpful if you don't already know the IC website.  It should display a summary of articles on how diet can affect IC.  I find I have to be more strict with exclusion during flares, but can still manage to eat a wide range of foods.  Depends on your individual triggers, which can be quite hard to identify.  I think as the GU tract becomes less robust with age then it's unfortunately quite possible that foods & drinks you tolerated easily before, thought to be irritant with IC, may now be causing you problems.  Worth experimenting to see if that helps you feel better, I'd say.
https://www.ichelp.org/?s=diet

Wx

[Brownie]

Thanks for your reply.

Yeah I've been on that site but will look for the thread you have mentioned but I will look for the thread you have mentioned. Have you been able to eat/drink things previously that now would cause you to flare at all ?
Yes it sucks grrrrrr

[Brownie]

Wrensong,

I've found the thread thanks. Couple of things interested me. Firstly I took d mannose for the first time yesterday/today but noticed that it mentioned it could be a irritant. Also I have been taking probiotics (capsules ) for a few weeks now. Do you take any of these ?

[CLKD]

Certainly some do develop sensitivities to foods/alcohol that hasn't bothered their digestive systems until peri-menopause.

Tnx for the clarification. 

[Wrensong]

I've been excluding some triggers for years but can't say I've identified new ones recently, though I'm starting to suspect apples may be a new one  .  Those long troublesome for me include coffee (both caffeinated & decaff), obviously alcohol, citrus & cocoa is sadly very irritant for me.  Have you tried D-Mannose?  If not & you have a tree pollen allergy, just be aware that some of it is derived from Birch.
Wx

[Brownie]

I just started the d mannose yesterday but I've more or less been flaring for a few days every week for the past 3 months.
Have you eaten/drunken anything whilst you have had IC which was ok for you initially but causes flares now ?

I'm just fed up +wish I knew what was causing the flares😭

[Wrensong]

Our posts crossed over, Brownie.  I didn't find D-Mannose irritant to the bladder, but not effective either.  That said, I didn't take it for many weeks because it started to cause oral allergy symptoms similar to those I get from tree pollen & when I checked the source, was dismayed to see the brand I'd bought was derived from birch.

I have taken probiotics on & off for decades, but some strains can be irritant because of the histamine generated.  Are you taking one specifically marketed for the GU tract?

[Wrensong]

Have you eaten/drunken anything whilst you have had IC which was ok for you initially but causes flares now ?

Sorry, I can't be sure, but as I mentioned above, possibly apples.  But, the long UTI while off Vagifem for several weeks has muddied the picture

[Brownie]

Not sure about the probiotic, just one from Holland + Barrett with high CFU.
It's just strange I started d mannose yesterday + flared today however been like this for some time now unfortunately.
I was told I had a 'slight' UTI (whatever that means ) + got 3 days Trimethroprim then that led to thrush I had for ages. I've had more intense UTI testing but nothing significant so GP wants to do more samples. I thought maybe embedded UTI ?
Anyone I read somewhere else about d mannose initially causing flare then gets better so maybe lower dose ?
Sorry could I ask another question???
Do you ever drink diluting juice + if so does that flare you ?

Thanks

[Wrensong]

Optibac do a probiotic targeted at the GU tract, I've taken it in the past & wasn't convinced it made any difference but have very recently started it again.  Too soon to know how that will pan out.  Could you stop the probiotic for a while & see whether your symptoms improve? 

I haven't drunk fruit juice undiluted for years but generally avoid it altogether & stick to plain water.

[Brownie]

Yeah I'm going to stop the probiotic but will stick with d mannose for a few days but maybe lower dose + take at bedtime (which I read might be better)
I was meaning juice (ie apple/lime etc) that you put a small amount in then fill up with water. Again something I could have previously but may be irritant now
Thanks

[Wrensong]

Yes, sorry I wasn't clear.  What I meant by saying that I avoid juice altogether was that I don't drink it diluted either, as I find it can still be irritant mixed with water.  When I took D-Mannose I took it at bedtime.  Too  expensive to take multiple doses every day.