Several people have contacted me, sharing that they, too, have interstitial cystitis/PBS! Not only this but there are even more people I meet who suffer from frequent urinary tract infections, much like myself. I always love to bounce self-care regimen ideas off other sufferers of these conditions. More women than you’d imagine have a dysfunctional bladder. Everyone’s path is unique when trying to achieve remission. Here is my top list of what helped me achieve remission. I can’t wait for these tips to help you feel better!
1. D-mannose
D-mannose is a natural sugar that you can purchase at an affordable price. You may buy in capsule or powder forms. D-mannose aims at preventing infections. This raw sugar binds to the bacteria in the bladder to help it shed out when you pee instead of the bacteria sticking to your bladder wall. I buy the powder form and drink a few measured scoops daily in a beverage. It easily dissolves into any liquid, though I like it with something flavoured (not just regular water) because it has a subtle sweet taste. Easy, affordable and incredibly effective- I recommend this supplement to all women with recurrent UTIs. From my research, this sugar does not affect blood glucose levels- but anyone should always check with their doctor before starting a new medication or supplement. Remember, it is NOT a cure for a developed infection; you should see a doctor.
2. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
PEA is a supplement recommended by my ND (naturopathic doctor). PEA is a chemical made from fat. You can get this in capsule form and it is naturally found in foods like egg yolks, soybeans and peanuts. It binds to cells and reduces inflammation. She informed me that it had shown good evidence in reducing or eliminating chronic pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, so it was a no-brainer to try this. Taking this daily (my dose is 400mg) helped me taper off a medication from which I was experiencing adverse side effects.
3. Prelief
This supplement advertises its use as “dietary management of interstitial cystitis.” The alkaline diet recommended by the Interstitial Cystitis Network is beneficial to follow. However, sometimes I want to “cheat,” such as having coffee, drinking alcohol or eating tomato-based meals like spaghetti or pizza. This supplement prevents me from having pain and pressure. Its goal is to alkalinize the foods as you digest them so the acidity does not trigger nerve pain. I take less than recommended (1 tablet instead of 2) as I experience indigestion and cramping when I take two. You should do what’s best for you with an expert’s guidance.
A healthy outside starts from the inside.
4. Azo Maximum Strength
It is essential to acknowledge and accept that pain still happens. In chronic issues, there will be good days and bad. Azo maximum strength pain relief has been a lifesaver for me. A startling side effect is bright orange urine, which you should expect with this medication. This pain reliever has gotten me through many flares. Azo has a wide range of bladder health products worth looking at. Be careful with bladder supplements which contain cranberry. Cranberry is known for minimizing UTI frequency but can cause a flare of IC/PBS due to its acidity. This particular AZO product does NOT contain cranberry, but some do.
5. Aleve
This is an OTC pain reliever, otherwise known as naproxen. It is an anti-inflammatory and has also been a lifesaver when I don’t have my AZO, since it is widely available near me. AZO and Aleve should not be taken together.
6. Arbonne Energy Fizz
These flavorful natural energy sticks helped me quit my daily coffee drinking. They have a small amount of caffeine – about what’s in half a small coffee- and have ginseng in them for a natural energy boost. I look forward to waking up and making it for myself, and I notice a difference in my energy, but without the pain of having drank acidic coffee. I have heard mixed reviews of those who have and have not been able to tolerate these with IC. They work wonders for me, and I can put my D-mannose right in.
In conclusion...
These supplements can be purchased on my Amazon storefront under “supplements,” aside from fizz sticks, which you buy from a representative. A few other things I’ve tried that I’ve eliminated for now are marshmallow root, desert harvest aloe vera capsules, alkaline water, amitriptyline (prescription medication), probiotics and Omega 3 capsules. I’ve eliminated these because I’m in a good place with the above remedies I have on board, along with the alkaline diet. I still know that some of these helped me achieve remission; they’re just not necessarily needed to maintain remission. However, these things can and do work for many others daily. If you want to discuss what works (or doesn’t work) for YOU or share your story about IC, head to my Instagram and look for the photo of me from this post. Your contribution and interest mean the world to me!! You are not alone. Another article that will benefit you to read is “The Best 5 People to Help You Manage Chronic Pain- Interstitial Cystitis.”
