Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Support Group

My wife who has IC has been drinking Yerba Mate for several months. Even though there is a stimulant (caffeine like without many of the side effects), it has tended to help her bladder.

Yerba Mate is a subtropical evergreen with large amounts of vitamins and minerals. Honestly, it taste terrible plain but I make it Argentinian style (adding homemade Dulce de leche, instead of sugar and milk) and it tastes fabulous. It takes the place of coffee with the recipe I use.

There are also cold, bottled yerba mate teas (pre-made off the shelf) and she's had no problems with those. They are delicious and has only 80 calories per 16 ounce bottle. It taste like a delicious flavored ice tea.

Not sure if its the chemical make up of the caffeine or what but my wife finds that the caffeine substance in Yerba Mate does not bother her bladder while caffeine in other teas does.

Everyone's bladder sensitivities are different. Anyone trying out a new beverage, especially one not well known to be IC friendly, should consider trying it made very weak first & seeing if it's ok.

bchyatte (www.healthyicrecipes.com)

Yeah I tried Yerba Matte and it seems to have the same affect as coffee.
Thanks for trying to help though.

What about peanut butter? I always have some around just for some quick protein. Or almond butter?
-Gloria

I love peanut butter but it hurts my bladder I tried almond butter once but didnt like it.
Thanks though.

When I was working in the summer, the thing that kept me awake was hard boiled egg whites. The yolk hurts my bladder which is why I only have the whites... but I used to eat 4-5 hard boiled egg whites a day with a pinch of sea salt and it really really kept me awake. Must have been the protein or something... anyway, if egg whites don't bother you, give them a try! (I always ate them with 3 prelief... never tried without... just so you know) Good luck!

Hi there,

I work 3rd shift and I always need a ton of energy to stay awake at night. I started taking Vitamin B a few months ago and I never feel tired when I'm working anymore. I take Vitamin B Complex with a meal before I leave for work. I notice that I have a burst of energy that lasts for several hours. Somehow, the Vitamin seems to work better when taken with a meal. It's awesome! It never affects my bladder either. Vitamin B Complex has a combination of B-6 and B-12 Vitamins. Have you ever tried it? Katster, I'll have to give hard boiled eggs a try too, it sounds like they would provide a great dose of energy too. Thanks for the advice!

FYI: The B vitamins work best with meals because they are energy releasing vitamins. Their job is to help the body get energy out of the food you eat.

They would be a good option if your bladder can handle them. Eat them with a meal to get the most benefit out of them.