Interstitial Cystitis

[hk1972]

Hi there, I know that this is a bit off topic (thus it being in this area) but I'm desperately trying to help my wife (Gwen) get well from nearly 2 years of repeat UTIs. It's really getting her down and I feel completely helpless as to how I can help her further. She's had some different anti-biotics over this time (Trimethoprim/Amoxicillin/Nitrofurantoin) but it only seem to help her out temporarily, and furthermore I'm not entirely sure that they aren't making her health more of a problem.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Harry.

[eleary]

Harry,
I have the same problem and recently my primary care physician referred me to a Urologist who diagnosed me with IC; your wife should see a Urologist for relief.

[karen10]

Yes definitely have her talk to a doctor about IC. She can also see an OB/GYN as some of them also specialize in this area. Make sure you get her to DO HER RESEARCH! There is some excellent info on the web about it. I also had frequent UTI's, but once I found the right doctor, they started treatment right away, and I take lots of nutritional supplements and have changed my diet to strictly follow an IC recommended diet. I would pass on some websites, but don't think that's allowed here, so just do your research--it's out there! We, with IC, know all to well what she's going thru. Just don't stop till you get good answers. It's still not well known, not even by lots of doctors. Read medical journals if possible, then bring to your doctor. I wish her well!

[hk1972]

Excellent, thank you for so much for your advice. I'll keep on looking into it and try to keep you posted on any progress and keep you informed of anything else I find out that I think may help you to help me further.

Again, thank you so much for your advice,
Harry.

[hk1972]

Just to keep you updated...

I've been reccomended a product on another forum that I'd decided to try out after reading about it a little. The link to the posts is here...

[moderator note: website address has been removed]

It seems to be working well at the moment, but I don't know if it's short term relief or a full time solution as yet. Feel free to have a read of what's there and if any of you have any views on the product I'd appreciate some outside input if you know anything more about it at all.

[eleary]

Thanks for the added input. I agree with all the advice that you have received. As I explained I have been recently diagnosed with IC. I am on this IC diet, which I find very boring and unappetizing although; I as well have found great relief from not drinking coffee or using "Sweet n Low". I found that I can tolerate "Splenda" but any other artificial sweetener just seems to be a real trigger (not to mention vinegar based sauces like Mayo, mustard, salad dressing, ketchup and especially fresh tomatoes and onions. Since I have followed the IC diet I have not had any other UTI's and my bladder seems to be healing. Anything artificial or acidic is a big no no. I have been eating a lot of spinach, lettuce, carrots, pasta, potatoes, bread and unseasoned meat. As far as dairy goes I am fine but the only cheeses allowed are cream cheese and mozzerella; anything other than that is a painful day. I am glad that things are better for your wife and kudo's to you for being a huge support for her!

[hk1972]

Hi everyone, happy new year :D I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Me and Gwen have almost got our home back in shape after the beating it took over Christmas :P The clever, Waterfall D-Mannose, product we got worked really well and I beleive that it made a huge difference to our holiday period. It's so nice to have my wife back to her usual happy self again so without trying to over-do it, thank you all so much again for your input and I wish you all the happyness possible for the future.

Thanks so much,
Harry x.

[chiyaki-chan]

Wow another one using the Waterfall D-Mannose! I can't understand how I didn't find out about it sooner. It's made a huge difference to me.

I'm hope that you and Gwen are still well.

Chiyaki x

[Dana P]

D- Mannose helps keep the bacteria from sticking to the bladder from what I have heard but it burns my bladder like heck!

[chiyaki-chan]

I've never hear about that happening before. Are you sure it's not something else you could have eaten or drank. Anything that has an acid effect on your urine would be far more likely to cause such badness. So try to avoid things like Cranberry juice, Orange juice, Alcohol, Coffee, Red meats, Spicy foods etc.

I found that it did the absolute opposite, it actually had a very soothing effect. From what I gather from all the research I've read, along with users posts, it actually acts as a natural anti-inflammatory so could only ever make things a lot more comfortable for you... Especially when you consider that D-Mannose is a substance that your body naturally excretes anyway, it's very likely that there is something else that you've ingested that made things worse for you.

I really, really hope that this helps to make you well again and you can get back onto the Mannose shortly.

Best wishes,
Chiyaki x.