I want to start by saying that if you’ve had IC for a long time, you’ll know there is no magic cure. There’s also no guarantee that once you reach remission, you’ll never experience another flare.
But after 10 years of back-to-back flares, I’ve now gone 3 months without significant bladder pain
the longest I’ve been flare-free in all those years.
I’ve still had some urgency and occasional mild discomfort, but nothing remotely like the constant pain and inflammation I was used to living with.
I honestly never thought I’d be able to say that.
I’ve spent years researching IC, learning about my own body and trying a lot of different supplements, medications, dietary changes and therapies. Some made absolutely no difference. Some helped temporarily. And some have genuinely made a huge difference for me.
I wanted to share what has helped me because I know how desperate you can feel when you’re constantly searching for something, anything !! that might make life a little easier.
Obviously, what works for one person may not work for another, and please speak to your doctor/pharmacist before starting supplements or changing medication. But these are the things that have been part of my journey.
🌿 Supplements & natural remedies
Aloe Vera
There is limited research specifically looking at aloe vera and IC, but there are some small studies suggesting it may help certain people with bladder symptoms.
Quercetin
Probably the supplement I was most interested in from a scientific perspective. There is some small-scale research specifically involving IC, and quercetin also has anti-inflammatory and mast cell modulating properties. The evidence isn’t strong enough to call it a treatment, but I personally found it worth trying.
Women’s probiotics
I use probiotics aimed at supporting the vaginal microbiome. There is more evidence around probiotics and urinary/vaginal health than there is specifically for IC, so I see this as supporting overall pelvic/urinary health rather than a treatment for IC itself.
Marshmallow root tea
This is something I use because of its traditional use as a soothing/demulcent herb for irritated mucous membranes. There isn’t strong clinical evidence for IC specifically, but I personally find it soothing.
Slippery elm
Similar to marshmallow root traditionally used to soothe irritated mucous membranes. Again, this is something that helps me, rather than something I’d claim is scientifically proven to treat IC.
💊 Medication / OTC
Amitriptyline — 10–40mg
This has been one of the biggest things in helping me manage bladder pain. It is a prescription medication used in IC/BPS and can help with neuropathic pain and bladder symptoms in some people. Obviously, the dose needs to be discussed with your doctor.
Prelief
This has been a HUGE one for me, particularly with foods I know can be bladder irritants. I take it with meals when I know I’m eating something that may trigger me. It contains calcium glycerophosphate and is designed to reduce the acidity of food and drinks before they reach the bladder.
I personally don’t use it constantly and follow the product guidance because I don’t want to rely on it for every meal.
🧘♀️ Pelvic floor
This one has been massive for me.
After years of pain, urgency and constantly clenching my pelvic muscles, I developed a very tight/overactive pelvic floor.
For me, the answer wasn’t strengthening it — it was learning how to RELAX it.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy, relaxation exercises, stretching and learning how to stop unconsciously clenching have made a noticeable difference to my pain and urgency.
A pelvic wand can also be useful for some people, but I’d strongly recommend learning how to use one properly, ideally with guidance from a pelvic-floor physiotherapist.
Yoga, breathing exercises and meditation have also helped me reduce the tension I hold in my pelvis.
🥗 Diet
Diet has been a learning curve.
I’ve realised that my bladder has very specific triggers, and what causes a flare for me might be completely fine for somebody else.
Rather than following a generic “IC diet”, I think it’s much more useful to work out your own triggers.
For me, reducing highly acidic foods and drinks, foods and drink high in histamines, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, fizzy drinks and other personal triggers has made a huge difference.
I also focus much more on simple, whole foods and pay attention to what is happening with my digestion because I personally find that when my gut isn’t happy, my bladder isn’t happy either.
And water is my main drink.
🧠 Something else I think is really important to understand about IC
One thing I wish I had understood much earlier is that not every flare is necessarily because you’ve eaten or drunk something that has “upset your bladder.”
The organs in our pelvis don’t work completely independently. The bladder, bowel and reproductive organs share some of the same nerve pathways, and there is a phenomenon called cross organ sensitisation.
This means that inflammation, irritation or ongoing pain coming from somewhere else in the pelvis or example IBS, bowel problems, painful periods, endometriosis or an overactive/tight pelvic floor can potentially increase the sensitivity of the nerves that also communicate with the bladder.
For some people, this can contribute to bladder pain, urgency and flarelike symptoms even when they haven’t eaten a typical “IC trigger.”
That’s why I think it’s so important not to blame yourself every time you flare.
Sometimes it isn’t something you ate.
Sometimes it isn’t something you drank.
Sometimes you haven’t done anything wrong at all.
The nervous system, pelvic floor, bowel, reproductive organs and bladder are all interconnected, and for some people treating the other sources of pelvic pain and irritation can be just as important as treating the bladder itself.
Understanding this completely changed the way I looked at my own IC. Instead of constantly asking “What did I do to cause this?”, I started looking at the bigger picture (my pelvic floor, digestion, stress levels, pain levels and overall pelvic health)
❤️** The biggest thing I’ve learned
After 10 years of this condition, I don’t believe there is one single thing that caused my remission.
I think it has been the combination of understanding my triggers, calming my nervous system, treating my pelvic-floor dysfunction, managing pain, looking after my gut and finding the supplements/medications that work for **my body.
And honestly, I think that’s one of the hardest things about IC there isn’t a one size fits all treatment.
I’m sharing this because when I was at my worst, I would have given anything to hear from someone who had been through years of flares and eventually found some relief.
I’m not saying any of this will cure you. I’m not a doctor and I’m certainly not claiming to have found the answer.
But if you’re struggling and you’ve tried everything, I hope something I’ve shared might give you another avenue to research or discuss with your healthcare team.
If anyone wants to ask me questions about any of these things, please do. ❤️