Robert Filice, M.D. - Dr. Bob's Newsletter

Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
This is a chronic bladder irritation that affects the space between bladder cells, and does not respond regularly to antibiotics like the typical bladder infection does. IC can have a devastating effect upon a person's life, causing constant pain, insomnia, urge to urinate, nervous exhaustion, painful intercourse, frequency of urination, and inability to sustain a normal diet and life style. Studies using quality of life indicators showed IC patients scoring even lower than a sample of patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis. One recent patient I saw was suicidal because of the level of his discomfort. It may be that the protective coating over the bladder mucosa may be defective in these patients. There are no clearcut diagnostic criteria, but the condition is usually discovered as a result of cystoscopy…the bladder mucosa is bright red. Contributing factors may be found by checking blood and urine pH, and investigating food allergies. Orthodox practitioners often throw up their hands and throw in the towel with such cases, and the degree of suffering also reflects the general inadequacy of traditional treatments.

The natural medicine approach consists of dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, neural therapy, and the instillation of various therapeutic agents directly into the bladder. Alkalinization of the urine by dietary modification and alkaline salts is often necessary. Avoiding allergic (there may be an autoimmune component to IC) and acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, spices, and alcohol definitely helps some patients. Smoking also aggravates the problem. Useful supplements that have been studied in this condition are quercitin, bromelain, and arginine.

Some individuals with a bacterial infection component have been helped with d-mannose which inhibits the attachment of bacteria to the bladder mucosa. The neural therapy technique called the Frankenhauser injection can be very effective in blocking the pain signals coming from the irritated bladder. It involves placing procaine via injection into the plexus of nerves located just lateral to the bladder. The only drug approved by the FDA for use in the bladder in IC is DMSO (Rimso-50). This also represents traditional medicine’s only acknowledgement of the utility of this broadly effective and safe natural therapeutic agent. The agent is introduced through a foley catheter and allowed to sit in the bladder for about 20 minutes. However, instillation of ozone gas directly into the bladder may also be an effective intervention, and it is done only in the offices of experienced natural medicine physicians. We use this treatment here at Caring Medical. The usual schedule is two treatments a week until improvement occurs, then taper down to every one to four weeks. It is not unusual for therapy to have to be continued 6 to 12 months before complete resolution is accomplished, but it is well worth the wait for these suffering souls.

The information on this website is presented as information only and not a self-help guide. Never alter or change your health management or begin any new health plans without first consulting your personal health care provider. Please note: Prolotherapy and Supplement recommendations by disorders is a general recommendation. It is not our suggestion that these supplements cure or improve these conditions, neither do we make claims that these supplements in anyway are to be used in place of medical advice from a licensed medial professional, nor are they to be used in the place of medications prescribed by a physician. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated statements made about specific supplements nor does the Food and Drug Administration recognize that any nutritional supplement is to be used as a cure for any condition. Nutritional, herbal, mineral supplementation can be beneficial in certain health circumstances but not in every circumstance. Before using any nutritional supplement it is strongly advised that you seek the guidance of a licensed health care professional to help guide you in choosing any supplementation program.  Supplement suggestions  ARE NOT to be considered cures or possible remedies, but rather supplements that can possibly enhance the quality of life by helping the immune and/or nervous system. All medical procedures have risks, these risks should always be discussed with your physician. CMRS 715 Lake Street Suite 600 Oak Park IL 60301 708-848-7789