Poppet
Nutritional Advisor
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2011
- Messages
- 14,649
- Gender
- Female
- Country
Australia
Hi BarbieJ.. So sorry you have IC.
Squeeze half a lemon into a mug, add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and fill it up with hot water, then if you are game, sit down and read through my thread.. I warn you it is long!
IC is a dreadful condition and can be caused by a myriad of reasons.
For me, Long story short, I was prescribed NSAIDs for two years prior to my surgery. My OS and GP were conducting the blood tests to check for kidney function, which is a major and serious side effect of NSAIDs. However, no one actually read the results!
Prior to surgery, In the course of two to three months, my kidney function marker eGFR had gone from 100 to 41, my Creatinine had shot off the scale. I was referred to a Renal specialist and I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. If one's eGFR drops to 50 there has been a loss of 75% kidney function!
It was touch and go whether I would be able to have the surgery, or if it dropped one more point then I would be on dialysis and the kidney transplant list.. There is no treatment for CKD it is all a matter of monitoring PB, weight and the kidney function indicators.
It stablized at 41 so we went ahead with the surgery. My Renal Specialist worked with my surgical team to ensure that I wasn't given any antibiotics that were metabolized via the kidneys as that would have shut them down completely!
My surgery went very well, however they had trouble when they moved me to recovery.. so I spent 6 days in ICU fighting for my life. I don't remember it, but my SO has vivid nightmares of it.
I had an indwelling catheter for 6 days. .. Fast forward...
My first kidney infection showed up at 3 months and I have had quite a few since, I am 15 months plus.
My IC was diagnosed quite recently.. There is no med for it in my situation. I have to be extremely careful regarding pain medications, I have a life long ban on ever taking any class of NSAIDs, over the counter or prescribed. I can take an occasional Paracetamol if I have pain, which I don't from the hip.
I am a Naturopathic Herbalist ( but cannot give specific advice to any members, otherwise I would be de-registered under the Common Law Act) so I use all my knowledge of natural medicine to manage my condition as best as possible.
IC is about managing one's food intake (and if course those other life interactions with your husband/partner etc) this is probably the most critical factor of it. Finding out what your own personal food triggers are Barb and staying clear of them. Google acid/alkaline foods and you will get comprehensive lists.. Incorporate these into your diet, stay away from foods that when ingested produce acid ash.
A lot of foods are acid outside of the body, take lemons but when ingested they have an alkalizing effect on the blood and ultimately the kidneys. Cinnamon is a wonderful spice and very alkalizing in its own right.. That is why I mentioned the fresh hot lemon and cinnamon drink at the beginning of this novel both are very alkalizing and very soothing! Lots of water, flush, flush, flush "The solution to pollution is dilution"....
I try to keep myself in a slightly alkaline state. I stay away from my personal trigger foods, chocolate, coffee, sugar.. Fortunately I love fresh foods, vegetables and fruits and think of meat (red or white) as the side dish to my veggies or salads. I love fish and am fortunate to be able to get wonderful deep sea fish not heavily contaminated by mercury where I come from. I don't eat processed foods at all, but then that has been a life long theme. I am also a Coeliac, so don't eat gluten products, so it is easy for me to stay away from breads, pastries, biscuits, pizza, spaghetti etc etc.. I have worked that component of my diet out very well. I tend not to eat much of the gluten free cakes, as I have found there is usually one ingredient that may not be 100% gluten free... However I digress off the IC!
Knowledge is power with IC Barb, so hit Mr Google and become familiar with the condition.
I find that using pure coconut oil topically after going to the bathroom (and cleansing) is fantastic and takes away the burning sensation... For a while at least. I am fortunate to be able to get the pure oil.
IC is an underrated condition as is Chronic Kidney Disease, both of which need monitoring and self awareness. I feel for you, I know how debilitating IC is and yes I would be fibbing if I said it doesn't get me down... Like right now as I battle yet another Kidney infection!!!
I have no regrets from having the surgery, only regrets about the NSAIDs.. My Renal Specialist is very outspoken about them and he collaborates internationally with the world wide network of Nephrologists.. so I am in good care.. But quite frankly I know that I am my own best practioner, I know and understand my body..
I wish you good luck with your IC.
Squeeze half a lemon into a mug, add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and fill it up with hot water, then if you are game, sit down and read through my thread.. I warn you it is long!
IC is a dreadful condition and can be caused by a myriad of reasons.
For me, Long story short, I was prescribed NSAIDs for two years prior to my surgery. My OS and GP were conducting the blood tests to check for kidney function, which is a major and serious side effect of NSAIDs. However, no one actually read the results!
Prior to surgery, In the course of two to three months, my kidney function marker eGFR had gone from 100 to 41, my Creatinine had shot off the scale. I was referred to a Renal specialist and I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. If one's eGFR drops to 50 there has been a loss of 75% kidney function!
It was touch and go whether I would be able to have the surgery, or if it dropped one more point then I would be on dialysis and the kidney transplant list.. There is no treatment for CKD it is all a matter of monitoring PB, weight and the kidney function indicators.
It stablized at 41 so we went ahead with the surgery. My Renal Specialist worked with my surgical team to ensure that I wasn't given any antibiotics that were metabolized via the kidneys as that would have shut them down completely!
My surgery went very well, however they had trouble when they moved me to recovery.. so I spent 6 days in ICU fighting for my life. I don't remember it, but my SO has vivid nightmares of it.
I had an indwelling catheter for 6 days. .. Fast forward...
My first kidney infection showed up at 3 months and I have had quite a few since, I am 15 months plus.
My IC was diagnosed quite recently.. There is no med for it in my situation. I have to be extremely careful regarding pain medications, I have a life long ban on ever taking any class of NSAIDs, over the counter or prescribed. I can take an occasional Paracetamol if I have pain, which I don't from the hip.
I am a Naturopathic Herbalist ( but cannot give specific advice to any members, otherwise I would be de-registered under the Common Law Act) so I use all my knowledge of natural medicine to manage my condition as best as possible.
IC is about managing one's food intake (and if course those other life interactions with your husband/partner etc) this is probably the most critical factor of it. Finding out what your own personal food triggers are Barb and staying clear of them. Google acid/alkaline foods and you will get comprehensive lists.. Incorporate these into your diet, stay away from foods that when ingested produce acid ash.
A lot of foods are acid outside of the body, take lemons but when ingested they have an alkalizing effect on the blood and ultimately the kidneys. Cinnamon is a wonderful spice and very alkalizing in its own right.. That is why I mentioned the fresh hot lemon and cinnamon drink at the beginning of this novel
both are very alkalizing and very soothing! Lots of water, flush, flush, flush "The solution to pollution is dilution"....I try to keep myself in a slightly alkaline state. I stay away from my personal trigger foods, chocolate, coffee, sugar.. Fortunately I love fresh foods, vegetables and fruits and think of meat (red or white) as the side dish to my veggies or salads. I love fish and am fortunate to be able to get wonderful deep sea fish not heavily contaminated by mercury where I come from. I don't eat processed foods at all, but then that has been a life long theme. I am also a Coeliac, so don't eat gluten products, so it is easy for me to stay away from breads, pastries, biscuits, pizza, spaghetti etc etc.. I have worked that component of my diet out very well. I tend not to eat much of the gluten free cakes, as I have found there is usually one ingredient that may not be 100% gluten free... However I digress off the IC!
Knowledge is power with IC Barb, so hit Mr Google and become familiar with the condition.
I find that using pure coconut oil topically after going to the bathroom (and cleansing) is fantastic and takes away the burning sensation... For a while at least. I am fortunate to be able to get the pure oil.
IC is an underrated condition as is Chronic Kidney Disease, both of which need monitoring and self awareness. I feel for you, I know how debilitating IC is and yes I would be fibbing if I said it doesn't get me down... Like right now as I battle yet another Kidney infection!!!
I have no regrets from having the surgery, only regrets about the NSAIDs.. My Renal Specialist is very outspoken about them and he collaborates internationally with the world wide network of Nephrologists.. so I am in good care.. But quite frankly I know that I am my own best practioner, I know and understand my body..
I wish you good luck with your IC.
