Singling Out Begins

While I know in general what foods and beverages I should avoid, I have found through researching that each person reacts differently to certain foods - flares.  I still suffer from pretty severe IC pain on a daily basis.  As of this writing, the InterStim has not affected it, at least that I'm aware of.  That could take time.

I really want to know what items will send me into a flare on a much more specific range.  I was told by my doctor that I probably should do this.  That way, I can, at least once in a while, indulge if I take a dose of Prelief, first.

With IC, it's not just the flares you want to avoid, though.  These acidic foods and beverages will basically erode the lining of your bladder.  That's what IC is.   The lining of a healthy bladder is bubble-gum pink.  This is what IC looks like:

Open wounds make for bloody urine.

Soon, I will be able to share with you actual photos of my bladder.

So, while this will be a long process, it will be a necessary, and most likely, painful one.  Foods that severely flare me, I'll just omit from my diet, entirely.  Things that flare me, but not on a severe level, I may be able to have them with Prelief - again - on a very rare occasion.  I'm praying coffee is one but I know that will be an epic failure.

So, tonight, I'm making spaghetti.  With tomato sauce as the base.  I'll have a little. I did find a recipe for a "red" sauce using red bell peppers.  I may have to try that!

I'm probably nuts for trying this now; just under a week before my InterStim part 2 surgery, but I have to start sometime.

Wish me and my bladder luck.

Peace,
\
Mary