Elimination Diet - Questions

[GGGOz]

I had been almost symptom-free for a couple weeks, but then had a cheat weekend for a wedding where I ate/drank whatever I wanted. (alcohol, spicy foods, dairy etc etc)

As expected, I started feeling a burning pain throughout the day as I sat at my desk on Monday so I am not trying to tighten my diet up with an elimination diet. I have some questions:

1. What foods should I start by avoiding. I know the main ones: alcohol, dairy, spicy, gluten and nightshades. Any others I should check for?
2. How long after I start eating a potentially problematic food should I wait for symptoms? I've read articles that say 2 days but I wanted to make sure CPPS is not longer. This weekend I was drinking pretty heavily as of noon Saturday and didn't feel symptoms until midday Monday, though that may of had more to do with the fact I was not sitting for an extended period of time until I got back to work.
3. After I flare due to a food, how long should I expect that flare to last once I stop eating that food? Probably a huge variable I assume.
4. Looking towards the future when I have this thing figured out, is there a way for me to still enjoy alcohol, spice or any of my flare inducing foods again without expecting to deal with some temporary burning? I've read some on here use Prelief.
5. For those who have greatly reduced their symptoms on here, can you still eat/drink problematic things if you avoid over-indulging?

Thanks in advance!

[webslave]

1. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8733
2. Hours in the case of spices, days with other foods and drinks, and up to weeks with gluten (if you have a problem with gluten)
3. Days with most foods, months with gluten
4. Tolerance is bigly increased as you recover, but overindulgence can cause little flares. Adopt a "suck it and see" approach and you'll eventually get to know what you can occasionally enjoy, and what you must forever avoid. Prelief is problematic, note this warning: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3477&p=55538&hilit=prelief#p55538
5. Yes!

[GGGOz]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, this flare is lasting awhile. This is the first time I have drank more than a beer or two since the onset of this condition, and it is definitely reversed some of my progress. A month ago I could use pepper in small amounts without any effects, and now just that is causing irritation. Any insight into why this is? I know you mentioned that tolerance increases as I recover but why is this?

Other than that, thank you for the encouragement in your last two answers, it helps me greatly!

[webslave]

Once there is inflammation (i.e. a flare), things like pepper and spices generally (especially chilli) can cause symptoms easily.

[GGGOz]

Another question, since this flare won't go away, and it's bothering me that it feels different than before. (More of an area-wide burning)

The IC Diet and others generally recommend avoiding acidic foods. At first I assumed then, that alkalizing my urine would be the goal in general. However, when I did a search on foods that alkalize the urine, some of the top foods are lemons, oranges, tomatoes, etc. It's stated that though these foods are acidic, after digestion they actually promote alkalinity in the body and urine.

If citrus fruits induce more alkaline urine, then why are they flare-inducing? Also, isn't the goal of Prelief to reduce acid in food? So in general, should I be avoiding acidic foods, or acid-forming foods?

I guess my issue is that right now, I can't seem to find foods that stop the burning. I have read the book you recommended by Jonathan Brosoff, but it seems like even if I stick to those foods, I am still having issues. And I am confident this flare was started by excessive alcohol so I am led to believe that the solution is related to diet.

Thanks again. Let me know if you have thoughts!

[webslave]

Citrus is chock full of citric acid. Citric acid does not alkalinize the urine. Citrate (a salt version of citric acid, from medication) does. I know it's a bit confusing.

[GGGOz]

I see. Makes sense, I will keep those on my 'do not eat' list, at least until I get rid of this burning. I may try Prelief temporarily. Or Bladder Smart since I read here it has the same ingredient, and my diet is a little restricted right now anyway.

It's funny, while doing internal massage/release. If I press on a certain area under my prostate where I think my urethra is, I can feel a sharp burning. I'm assuming its inflammation in the urethra.

[webslave]

Could be, or could just be a muscle-nerve tender point (aka trigger point) that is referring pain.