New to IC and overwhelmed

[Cassandra]

Good morning,

I need a lot of advice. I work with anxiety/depression and recently was able to stop taking medication for it approximately six months ago. I have IBS, acid reflux, gastritis, and a lactose allergy. I have a slipped disc, scoliosis, TMJ, and Si joints that are out of place. I also didn’t start getting acne until I was about 19 years old.
Aside from all that fun, my life is at it’s absolute highest stress level. I just started my bachelor’s in psychology online. My place of work is a wreck, literally and emotionally. The place is getting torn apart for a remodel and the drama between everyone is horendous due to people retiring and getting bought out. My husband is also in school. He is in an apprenticeship to be a steamfitter and works some weekends, too.
My daughter is four and half. She is currently having some health issues too and her digestion seems to follow mine, so I want to incorporate as much of my new diet as I can. And my dog keeps getting the runs…

Needless to say this is all just a brief of how my life…flows. I recently found out I have IC. All of my issues are stress induced, they always have been. I am in so much pain every day, but have learned to live with it and ignore to some extent. After reading all the info on this site, I am overwhelmed and want to feel better. Trying to feed my family super healthy, not-so-tasty food is really difficult. We don’t even sit at the table together much anymore.
In Racine, Wisconsin, our hospitals have a very low rating, no grocery stores around that carry the foods I will need to eat, and I am hoping someone can help me with this. There is a Meijer 20 minutes away I am willing to shop at, so that’s a good thing.

[Elisabeth Yaotani]

Hi Cassandra, WOW this is a lot! I can’t speak to all of it but you can definitely get to work on your GI issues which should, in turn, relieve some of the depression and anxiety, and ease the IC and joint pain. Our ability to cope with stress can improve when we begin to take steps towards restoring balance. I highly recommend you see a doctor that practices functional medicine meaning naturopathic, holistic, or an MD or DO that specializes in integrative medicine. You need to have some testing done to see where dysfunction is occurring so that you can work to restore balance. I believe it would be well worth your time to see an acupuncturist that also specializes in Chinese medicine as this can help with the IC and other issues. I love that you are trying to feed your family foods that will help them feel better and have more energy!! We have a cookbook coming out in the next month and a half and you will have plenty of healthy options while still getting to enjoy your meal. There are some recipes up on my website that may help so check those out.

We can’t necessarily control our work environment but we can certainly control our attitude. Here are some things you can begin doing immediately:

1. Go for a walk and get some fresh air
2. Begin a gratitude journal and write in it daily
3. Meditate for 5-10 minutes a day
4. Drink some chamomile and lavender tea (add in marshmallow root)
5. Supplements: collagen, l-glutamine, curcumin, quercetin, bromelain, magnesium L-threonate (mood), EstroProtect (detox estrogen), liver support, Omega 3
6. You will need a digestive enzyme with your meal. Pure Encapsulations Digestive Enzymes Ultra with Betaine HCL
7. You may find that L-theanine helps with anxiety. Take one right before bed
8. Cut out gluten, conventional dairy, and refines sugar
9. Increase vegetables, high-quality proteins, and fruit

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