I know what you mean about the sleep I have tried ambiem and even though it doesn't keep me asleep all night it makes it easier to fall back to sleep after having to go the bathroom

I'm pregnant so medications are not an option for me these days so much. I am surviving by warm baths and ice packs...I sleep with an ice pack almost everynight and it has really helped.

For the diet...if you go to ichelp.org they have the complete ic diet there. For me I've found that mostly staying away from the caffine, acidic and spicy foods have helped the most...no matter how much I want to have orange juice and chocolate everyday. You gotta find which foods trigger you personally and unfortuantly there is no easy way about it. I hope things get better for you soon.

DIET: I cannot have any preservatives, artificial colors, dyes (especially red) or sweeteners. I have found that low-acid coffee in very limited amounts are okay. No carbonated beverages. Absolutely NO strawberries or citric acid at all. No processed meats or cheeses - except an occasional slice of pizza if not very often. Microwave popcorn must be unflavored/unbuttered (dunno what is in THAT) and no MSG.

SLEEP: The only thing that works for me is 2 ambien and every night.

FLARES: I found the most helpful things for spasms were Ditropan and Pyridium (but you cannot use Pyridium too many days straight) and Toradol injections work the best for pain of anything.

Hope this helps. IC is Horrible!

there are lists in the urologist office, they give them to you on request. It's a process. Everyone is different. If you take something and you flare up, put it on your no-no list. And for the sleep, I've just started taking an over the counter (generic store brand) sleep aid, I have to take 3-4 a night. It's still hard to fall asleep, but once I get there, I sleep thru the night. Good luck!