Bridgid
I know what you mean about how physically debilitating this is and it has created some depression with me too. Didn't your Doctor prescribe Urised to help anesthetize the pain? I'm taking their generic equivalent MHP-A tablets, I could not live without them. (PERIOD). I was diagnosed with FMS a few years before the IC, so I learned to live with a life long diagnosis earlier. Your list of foods may help me and I appreciate you posting it, my doctor never mentioned "foods" just which drinks to avoid. Since its Christmas time I have been munching on a box of fudge, needless to say I've been extremely uncomfortable, and now I know why. Thanks! Letting folks around you know or helping them understand the condition seems to help me, and my friends now joke that I have Pee Envy, which is true every time my girlfriends go to the bathroom, as we are known to do. It gets better with time, and occasionally I take a sleeping pill to get a good nights sleep, especially when I am under stress. I've been known to get up 6 times during the night, and getting sleep is essential in maintaining a health and cheerful attitude. Remember you may think that a situation is not stressing you, but your body will know better. In my case, it means that I will be up all night, not sleeping well, and then grouchy on top of it all. My only unsolicited advice would be to try not to concentrate on it, and just relax, it's part of life now, and when you acknowledge there is not much you can do to change it, the pressure is off of you. It took me a while to be able to do that, but it has changed my outlook. Oh, one other thing, carry a purse size perfume or body splash in your purse, just in case you have to spend a few minutes in a public restroom. Wanting to get out of there as fast as I can, stresses me out, and sure enough, it takes longer to accomplish the mission when that happens. Good Luck, and Happy Holidays