Hanging In There

Well, since my last post, I've had good and bad days regarding the IC.  I'm still eating GF/CF, although I've stopped the Body Balance.  Since supplements can sometimes contribute to IC pain, my doctor thought it would be best if I stopped taking the BB to see if that helps to calm things down.  I should say that lots of people have had great results with BB, but I've made so many dietary, drug, and supplement changes in the past month that it's hard to tweeze out what's been helping and what hasn't.  I'm still taking the Fisol Omega-3 supplement, New Chapter Take Care Bone Strength calcium/magnesium/Vit K/Vit D supplement, Folic Acid, and Culterelle (probiotics).  I also take Prelief prior to eating, although I've had mixed results.  I can't tell if that's been helpful or not for my IC, but it really helps my acid reflux.  Licorice I take on and off.  Yesterday I had a good day with regards to my IC pain, but last night I made the mistake of having a glass of Chardonnay and a martini when I was at my friend's house.  I took the Prelief and felt fine last night, but this morning my IC pain was a 7 out of 10.  I may have also been slightly dehydrated, which doesn't help.  I added a fiber supplement (Metamucil Clear and Natural) two nights ago because I think my fiber intake isn't as high as it used to be when I ate lots of wheat-based, whole grain foods.  I'm only using it once a day though because twice a day starts to make me bloated.  It seems to help.  

WOA:  It's really important to up one's water intake, especially when taking supplemental fiber.  Drinking lots of clean, pure water is important to IC as well as diluted urine typically doesn't cause as much pain.

I would like to add a multi-vitamin back into the mix, especially because I don't think I'm eating a very balanced diet.  I'm trying, but with all the foods that are forbidden now, I'm not getting a lot of variety.  One of my best friends from back home is a registered dietician and has sent me some great links to companies that offer GF/CF foods.  See email below:

Hi Claudia:

These are some companies that offer high-quality, nutritious foods that meet a variety of specific needs: This information can also be found at www.foodallergysurvivalguide.com - click the link under resources. This list is continually changing…. I noted some of their links are currently not working off their website and was not able to find exactly this list that is found in their book: Food Allergy Survival Guide

Hopefully this information is helpful for you – have fun browsing around ..

Alpsnack. Gluten-, wheat-, egg-, and dairy-free organic snack bar made with hemp nuts, almonds, dried fruits, and other natural ingredients. Phone: 760-743-2211. Web: http://www.alpsnack.com/

Aunt Candice Foods. Cookies, brownies, and mixes free of wheat, dairy, gluten, casein, corn, soy and additives. Web: http://www.auntcandicefoods.com/

Authentic Foods. Dedicated to glueten-free products, from milling to blending, to packaging. Baking mixes, flours, pasta, snacks, cereals. Phone: 310-366-7612. Web: http://www.authenticfoods.com/

Berket Millls. Buckwheat products. Web: http://www.thebirkettmills.com/

Bob’s Red Mill. Hypoallergenic baking products, flours, mixes, cereals, entrees, grains, beans, dried fruits, seeds, and spices. Many gluten-free poducts. Phone: 800-349-2173. Web: http://www.bobsredmill.com/

Dietary Specialties. Gluten-free frozen foods, baking mixes, breads, pastas, snacks, and sweets. Phone: 888-640-2800. Web: http://www.dietspec.com/

Eden Foods. Grains, 100 percent buckwheat noodles, beans, seasonings. Phone: 888-441-EDEN. Web: http://www.edenfoods.com/

Edward & Sons. Organic grocery items such as miso soup, rice snaps, sauces, and candies, many of which are free of gluten and other common allergens. Phone: 805-684-8500. Web: http://www.edwardandsons.com/

El Peto. Manufacturer and distributor of a huge line of gluten-, wheat-, yeast-, corn-, milk-, and egg-free products. Phone: 800-387-4064. Web: http://www.elpeto.com/

Ener-G Foods. Egg and milk substitutes, flours, baked goods, mixes, pasta, cereals, soups, gluten-free items. Phone: 800-331-5222. Web: http://www.ener-g.com/

Enjoy Life Foods. Baked goods, snack bars, and cereals free of gluten, wheat, dairy casein, eggs, soy, nuts, potoato, GMOs and hydrogentaed oil prepared in a gluten-free and peanut-free facility. Phone: 888-550-ENJOY. Web: http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/

Gluten Free Mixes. Baking and seasoning mixes, flours, and even cake decorating kits, all gluten free. Phone 866-225-3432. Web: http://www.glutenfreemixes.com/

Gold Mine Natural Food Company. Hard-to-find gluten-free grains, snacks, condiments, dried fruits and more, most of which are organic. Phone: 1-800-475-FOOD.

Web: http://www.goldminenaturalfood.com/

Grainworks. Quinoa and other organic grains. Phone: 800-563-3756. Web: http://www.grainworks.com/

Kinnikinnick Foods. (Canada) Gluten-, wheat-, and casein-free breads (some are yeast free), mixes, snacks, baking mixes, desserts, and more. Phone: 877-503-4466. Web: http://www.kinnikinnick.om/

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Food and Oils. (Canada) Organic and GMO-free sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Phone: 800-665-HEMP. Web: http://www.manitobaharvest.com/

Mail Order Catalog for Healthy Eating. Dairy substitutes, nutritional yeast, gluten-free grains and pastas, soynut butters. Phone: 800-695-2241. Web: http://www.healthy-eating.com/

Mrs. Leeperes. Rice and corn pasta. Phone: 816-502-6000. Web: http://www.mrsleeperspasta.com/

Natures Highlights. Gluten free, dedicated facitility producing wheat-, gluten-, and yeast-free, pizza crusts, fozen entrees, and snacks. Phone: 800-313-6454. Web: http://www.natures-highlights.com/

Natures Path Foods. Organic cereals, including gluten-free products. Phone: 888-808-9505. Web: http://www.naturespath.com/

Nu-World Amaranth. Amaranth-based snacks free of dairy, eggs, wheat, rice, corn, oats, soy, potato, and nuts. Phone: 630-369-6819. Web: www.nuworldfoods.com

Omega Nutrition. Organic flaxseed oil and related products. Phone: 800-661-FLAX (3529). Web: http://www.omeganutrition.com/

Pangea. Foods, sancks, mixes and sweets that are free of eggs and diary products. Phone: 800-340-1200. Web: http://www.pangeaveg.com/

Pamela’s. Wheat-free baked goods and baking mixes, many of which are also free of gluten, eggs, nuts, and soy. Phone: 707-462-6605. Web: http://www.pamelaproducts.com/

Tinkyada. (Canada) Amazing wheat-free, gluten-free rice pasta in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Phone: 416-609-0016. Web: http://www.tinkyada.com/

The Soynut Butter Company. Peanut-free soynut butter produced in a 100 percent peanut- and treent-free facility. Also gluten-free toriilla crumbs and cornflake crumbs. Phone: 800-288-1012. Web: www.soynutbutter.com

Vegan Essentials. Better than Milk fortified rice beverage and a varity of egg- and dairy-free foods. Phone: 866-88-VEGAN. Web: http://www.veganessentials.com/

Vermont Nut-Free Chocolates. Chocolate confections, absolutely free of nuts. The dark chocolate has no dairy ingredients, although it is produced on the same equipment as the milk chocolate. Phone: 888-468-8373. Web: http://www.vermontnutfree.com/

WholeSoy. Drinks and cultured soy yogurt with probiotics (live active cultures). Phone: 415-495-2870. Web: http://www.wholesoycom.com/

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Thanks, Sheila, for this great info! 

No funny stories for today's post.  I'm too beat and a little discouraged right now.  I'm hoping to muster up some energy for my next post.  What I do want to say is that I think is critically important, especially when dealing with chronic health issues (or even when one is healthy), to cherish those moments when one is feeling good, healthly, and/or happy.  Last night, after spending an enjoyable night hanging out with my girlfriends, I came home and admired a couple of home improvements projects my husband and I had just completed earlier in the day.  I savored the satisfaction I felt and was also grateful for the pain-free evening I had experienced.  In that moment, life was good.  It's easy to forget those moments during the bad times and to think that one's doomed to a lifetime of pain and suffering.  It's crucial to carve out time for rest and relaxation.  Creating a space in ones home that is free of clutter and distractions, while being visually appealing, can also aid in bolstering one's spirits.  There is always hope.  On days like today when I'm feeling tortured by my body, it's hard to remember that things can and will get better... but they will.  Happy Labor Day.