W. B.- Indiana- My story

Introduction- I am a pharmacist of 25 years. . I almost died 2 times at 6 months and 2 years old due to bronchitis. History of childhood asthma and allergies and many years of allergy shots and antibiotics for bronchitis, Allergic to grass, trees, mold, weeds, cats, dust, etc. I also took about 10 years of tetracycline on and off for acne.

It all started in Feb 2009 when I was at my 14 year old daughters swim meet and started to feel like I had a UTI- bladder pain when urinating. I drank a lot of water and cranberry juice and the next week hobbled into my family practioner. Over the next 5 months I did 5 urine cultures (all neg) and did a series of antibiotics- Bactrim, Zithromax, clarithromycin, Macrodantin, and Levaquin. Nothing really helped the pain, although twice for about 2 weeks I had pain free episodes which were thrilling at the time. My family Dr. grew frustrated with me and sent me to a urologist. I had 1 cystocopy and the urologist said my bladder had some red granulated tissue with some crud in the bottom. Then he ordered another one with a biopsy to check for cancer which was negative. He said he did not think I had IC since I was a healthy exercise type, but did not really know what to do.

The pain was about 8-9 out of 10 when I had to pee and especially at the end of peeing. I could feel my bladder sides collapse and touch when I was empty and then it would spasm for 5-10 seconds. I used Lamaze breathing techniques and rubbing my hands together when I peed to block the pain from getting to my brain. I tried hold it as long as possible because it hurt so much. I would sit on the sofa with my foot under my crotch to help me hold it until I could not wait any more. I had some incontinence episodes that were pretty embarrassing at home and at work…I kept towels, and skirts in the car.

I spoke with Alma my urologist’s nurse and she had gone to an urology convention and got me some info from the ICA- Interstitial Cystitis Association. I read their books, magazines, and collected lots of info. I went to a support group in Michigan. I started my own support group with my new nurse friend at the local library. I went on line and purchased some bladder support packs (colostrum, alkalife drops, 5 total items). I tried sodium bicarbonate- a pinch with water (helped with severe pain) but I did not use it too frequently, only a few times a week when the pain was severe. I read lots of other books and started to think it was associated with allergies. I did acupuncture with one lady. I found a NAET practioner- a fantastic woman nurse naturopath who had IC and cured herself with NAET, mercury filling removal and finding her own path. She was so caring and really tried her best to make me better. Thru her I changed to natural shampoos, soap, toothpaste, natural cotton tampons, and marshmallow tea. I had about 15 NAET treatments (muscle response allergy treatments). Sometimes I felt a little better but then would get bad again. I got Vicodin 5/500 which helped in the evening when I was the worst. I also used them when I had to do special things…like get thru a wedding, take a plane flight, drive a long distance… etc. I don’t like taking medicine so I definitely did not over do it, maybe 2-3/week over 5 months. I tried Aloe vera juice, the IC diet, and thought about going on disability.

The more I read the more hopeless I felt. Everyone said IC had no cure. I read about Elmiron, Elavil, and did not want to try them due to the side effects. I did try hydroxyzine 25mg (a antihistamine) at bedtime for a few weeks….not much help. Throughout the whole time I also took lots of Pyridium to numb the bladder. I thought it helped some in the beginning but after awhile it really did not help too much either. I took Cystoprotek for at least 2-3 months with no real help. I took prelief prior to each meal for about 2 months- especially anything acidic. I thought it helped some. I tried cold, heat, massage, warm baths, prayer, meditation tapes, music, everything I read about, and it all helped somewhat but not really. My family tried to be supportive but I withdrew and went into survival mode…. Work was all I could manage.

Finally I was chatting on line and found a blog by Melissa who was trying long term antibiotics that had helped a few nurses that claimed to be cured. There were broth cultures that could be done. I read about urine cultures and took a first morning urine to the lab myself and insisted it be cultured right away… no waiting. They found ureaplasma a very tiny organism and I tried the recommended antibiotics with no help. I felt that they were just making me worse. I thought about bladder instillations and did some research but never did any- just sounded kind of invasive to me. More for a last resort. I read at least 20-30 alternative health books, and there is lots of interesting stuff out there.

Yoga was my lifeline and seemed to help the most. My teacher was very understanding and I told him my problem and we did lots of restorative stuff. He also tried to do poses he thought would be helpful when I came to class. I would highly recommend quiet, peaceful yoga- not hot or power yoga. Gentle stretching helps. Down dog does something….releases stress in the shoulders.

Then I found ICAMA- Dr. Brizman’s web site and lo and behold there was Melissa again. She was going to see Dr. Brizman! I read the success stories (especially a long story by Camille) and found hope of someone who knew what to do. This Chinese medicine was foreign to me, but it made sense. I started to chat with the gals on line and they were so helpful and amazing. We could share the real truth and were blunt and honest with each other. We were all seeking answers and working together. Many of them are very intelligent and had years of experience in natural heath. I even found another pharmacist from New York who was symptom free and I called and talked to her. She thought Dr. Brizman was the best.

I decided to see Dr. Brizman and flew to LA Calif Nov 18 after suffering in pain for 10 months. I read all about her diet with the levels and 1 month prior to going, I started level 1 on my own. Fresh meat, veggies, brown rice, eggs, and some potatoes. I was very strict. I found Poland spring water and also Mountain Valley water. Food preparation and planning consumed me, but I was desperate to get of pain. My family laughed at my gray soup and crock pots of chicken and rice but it was not funny to me. In general my family was very supportive and let me do what I felt was needed.

Anyway….Dr. Brizman listened and listened. Her office was so cool- beautiful setting and very tropical. I was prepared and brought my history of what I had tried. She started me on some probiotics and other supplements 3 times a day. I waited to get home to start. I started the meds and the first 3 days felt fluish. Cough, weak, fever, could hardly sit up due to “die off”. She had predicted I would feel stuffy and get head symptoms and I did. I made it thru the weekend and made it thru work the next weeks. I kept going. I made it thru Christmas without a cookie. We went to Zion National park over Christmas and I took Vicodin so I could walk around the park on the trails with the family. We spent a week in Tuscon and I took Vicodin to walk thru the desert museum. I made Egg friatas, steak, and lots of salads. Brocolli, cabbage, and cucumbers. I got pacific bakery breads. I got puffed rice and cooked it in butter and the allowed herbs…like chex mix for a snack. I ate lays and other natural potato chips. No fake foods or preservatives. Some evenings I felt really bad but I kept going. I had some bloating and constipation (Dr. Brizman said Magnesium would help with constipation in certain cases, and, in my case, it did). I emailed her when I felt really bad and she would adjust my supplements to help. 

The second week of January (after being on her supplements 2 months) I started to feel a little better. By the end of the week, I could tell I was improving. The pain of peeing and the frequency started to decrease. I remember when I only got up once during the night. I remember walking around at work with out pain with each step. It was like being reborn. Over the next 5 months I just got better and better. I would feel some increased frequency and tenderness sometimes pre-period and the first few days of my cycle. Pretty soon I was back to my full exercise schedule- Zumba, step, yoga, pilates, weights, biking, walking, swimming…. 4-6 times a week.

I have read Dr. Brizman’s dissertation and I have learned so much about alternative medicine, candida, and balance of bacteria in the intestine. She has the most experience that I have found. She has lots of successful cases with lots of different root causes. I now think one of my root cause was all the antibiotics I have taken…. Throwing off all my good bacteria in my intestines and harming my immune system. I now think that Chinese medicine is way ahead of Western medicine in many ways. The Yin and Yang, male and female, hot and cold… it is all about balance. Dr. Brizman gets it. You are blessed that you have found her and the community. Please explore for yourself. It worked for me and I have been forever changed. God bless everyone who reads this and I pray for recovery for everyone. Have hope and faith.

PS- I am now eating all fruits, a big salad daily, and plenty of protein which I know is critical for getting well. In my nursing homes protein is essential for skin and wound healing. I am ok with breads and carbs. I will not use artificial sweeteners anymore. I used to use lots of fake sugars (pink, blue, yellow) in coffee, tea. I have also cut way down on dairy and this seems to help my allergies. I eat some yogurt, ice cream and cheese but not much. I have no problems with citrus, beans, or tomatoes of any kind. I am using Agave sweetener for drinks at home. I eat some chocolate and drink decaf coffee about once a week. I still take the probiotics and fish oil but only once a day.