My Story with Interstitial Cystitis

by Andrea Nichols

I share my story with you so that you know that I did indeed have the same or similar symptoms that you may be experiencing, and so that you may possibly learn from my experience. I will also share with you some things I would do today, if in fact the symptoms ever return, although I believe they are unlikely to since I am taking such good care of myself these days!

My interstitial cystitis started by my experiencing symptoms of inflammation, burning and pain after eating certain foods, notably tomatoes, potatoes, green and red peppers (all members of the nightshade family). I had developed an allergy to these foods, and this is the way my symptoms manifested. It very quickly progressed to my becoming allergic to more and more foods, to the point where I was down to about 10 foods.

All fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and dairy products were off limits. What I was left with was meat, eggs and some grains. Talk about acidic! It was a vicious cycle, with me becoming more and more sensitive and sicker and sicker, but since I was unable to take any fresh foods or even vitamins and supplements, the downward cycle continued.

I also suffered from frequent urination, extreme bladder achiness and pain, insomnia, and frequent vaginal yeast infections. In fact, my symptoms seemed to worsen when I had yeast infections, which was a lot. I could definitely see the correlation between the two. And while I did not have irritable or inflammatory bowel symptoms, or the symptoms of chromic fatigue syndrome, I had struggled with both of these disorders several years prior to the onset of IC, so I knew there must be some connection.

The connection I later learned, was complete immune system burn out and dysfunction, which was causing symptoms to move around the various systems and organs throughout my body. Even as old disorders like irritable bowel symdrome disappeared, new ones, like interstitial cystitis, would appear.

Interstitial Cystitis is a painful, debilitating disease, but it can be overcome!  I am living proof, and so are many others.  If we can do it, then hopefully so can you.

I wish you much success on your healing journey!

Very best wishes,

Andrea Nichols, MSW
Natural Health Consultant
Founder and Co-Owner of Evenbetternow, LLC