Eliminating all artificial sweeteners and carbonated beverages helped calm the first flare up of interstitial cystitis three years ago. Upon its recent return I've found asparagus and anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil, quercetin and curcumin have helped. Sleep is the most important and am still working on that. I am considering an electrical TENS unit to block pain.

I suffered with symptoms of interstitial cystitis for only 2 years. I was told to stop drinking wine, spicy foods, and so on. I was in pain and having the feeling I had to urinate constantly. I figured out what was causing my problem and am now free from the misery. I drank caffeine free cola every day and decided to stop cold turkey to see if this was the problem. Within a week or two my problem disappeared. I'm told the caramel color may have been the cause of my problem. If you're a soda drinker, stop and see if it works for you!

A gluten-free diet has drastically decreased my flares and brain fog. I also avoid soy and dairy products.

I have had IC for twenty years. The pain started out slow, during the day, but as time wore on, it also happened at night. I didn't think the pain could get any worse, but it did. Now it feels like things from my bladder down is swollen. I take a blood thinner, and I have high blood pressure and diabetes. I thought that some of this medicine could be causing the heavy pressure I am feeling. Is there anyone else out there like me? I had a hysterectomy in 1971.