I do hope this message attracts comments from all the leaders at this forum. A friend is suffering from Interstitial Cystitus [IC] and suffers severe pain. This is not the same as your cystitis, but probably very similar.

Here is what I know about IC. It is inflamation of the bladder caused by an autoimmune response which the medical establishment says is incurable. Some suggest bacteria/infection. The only known drug that treats it cost $300 to $400 a month.

There is evidence that fluoridated water is the cause:
:Internal Cystitis - PRISCILLA - California [meridianlink@earthlink.net]
"Finally we figured out that intersitial cystitis is due to fluoride. We suggest avoiding fluoride and taking DMAE to release it from the system."
http://www.earthclinic.com/fluoride_questions_and_answers.html


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3. Fluoride depletes the energy reserves and the ability of white blood cells to properly destroy foreign agents by the process of phagocytosis. As little as 0.2 ppm fluoride stimulates superoxide production in resting white blood cells, virtually abolishing phagocytosis. Even micro-molar amounts of fluoride, below 1 ppm, may seriously depress the ability of white blood cells to destroy pathogenic agents. John Curnette, et al, ” Fluoride-mediated Activation of the Respiratory Burst in Human Neutrophils,” Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol. 63, pp. 637-647 (1979); W. L. Gabler and P. A. Leong, ., ” Fluoride Inhibition of Polymorphonumclear Leukocytes,” Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 48, No. 9, pp. 1933-1939 (1979); W. L. Gabler, et al., ” Effect of Fluoride on the Kinetics of Superoxide Generation by Fluoride,” Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 64, p. 281 (1985); A. S. Kozlyuk, et al., ” Immune Status of Children in Chemically Contaminated Environments,” Zdravookhranenie, Issue 3, pp. 6-9 (1987)

>>>>4. Fluoride confuses the immune system and causes it to attack the body’s own tissues, and increases the tumor growth rate in cancer prone individuals. Alfred Taylor and Nell C. Taylor, ” Effect of Sodium Fluoride on Tumor Growth,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Vol. 119, p. 252 (1965); Shiela Gibson, ” Effects of Fluoride on Immune System Function,” Complementary Medical Research, Vol. 6, pp. 111-113 (1992); Peter Wilkinson, ” Inhibition of the Immune System With Low Levels of Fluorides,” Testimony before the Scottish High Court in Edinburgh in the Case of McColl vs. Strathclyde Regional Council, pp. 17723-18150, 19328-19492, and Exhibit 636, (1982); D. W. Allman and M. Benac, ” Effect of Inorganic Fluoride Salts on Urine and Cyclic AMP Concentration in Vivo,” Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 55 (Supplement B), p. 523 (1976); S. Jaouni and D. W. Allman, ” Effect of Sodium Fluoride and Aluminum on Adenylate Cyclase and Phosphodiesterase Activity,” Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 64, p. 201 (1985)

5. Fluoride inhibits antibody formation in the blood. S. K. Jain and A. K. Susheela, ” Effect of Sodium Fluoride on Antibody Formation in Rabbits,” Environmental Research, Vol. 44, pp. 117-125 (1987)
6. Fluoride depresses thyroid activity. Viktor Gorlitzer Von Mundy, ” Influence of Fluorine and Iodine on the Metabolism, Particularly on the Thyroid Gland,” Muenchener Medicische Wochenschrift, Vol. 105, pp. 182-186 (1963); A. Benagiano,
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/fluoride-and-your-thyroid/


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Because this is an autoimmune response, a new inexpensive drug discovery LDN may be a BIG help.


http://health.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/lowdosenaltrexone/

Here is what they have on IC.There are 155 more screens referring to IC, so here is just the 1st few.
They discuss dosage, titrating up, where to get LDN etc.

Q) i know everyone is different but i was just curious if ldn can bring remission
to autoimmune disorders and/or how much it helps and how soon? i would love any
feedback..thanks!!!!
Margreet from the Netherlands

A) I have intersttial cystitis
http://www.methedoctor.com/autoimmune-interstitial-cystitis.htm

and was in a lot of pain....after 8/9 months on LDN the pain/inflammation was
gone. Still painfree one year later


Good Morning to All of You:
I am pretty new to LDN (about 5 weeks now) and I am noticing some pretty amazing results. I sleep better, my mood and energy level is improved and I am loving life again. I have a troublesome autoimmune disorder called interstitial cystitis (a painful bladder condition that has been recalcitrant to treatment). Recently my naturopath recommended LDN 4.5 mg to see if that would help me. Low and behold, along with other treatments I had already been doing, my condition shows improvement. I have had this condition for 20 years and my urologist just treats the symptoms. I am sure the LDN is responsible for this recent improvement overall.
So if your MD does not prescribe LDN, maybe you could research a naturopath in your area to see if they would be willing to do so. Also finding a pharmacy that does compounding might be helpful as not all pharmacies do that.
Sandy

All about LDN:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/thread49741.html


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Excess Iodine taken in goes inot the bladder, and may help your condition. Iodione is the ULTIMATE antiseptic.

I might think of more. I do hope this helps:
Grizz

For cyctitis I suggest loads of real salt / water, vit c (500 mg per hour if you want to get rid of it fast) iodine, boron, zinc.
Essential oils like lavender or tea tree can be used topically around urethra and lower part of the abdomen; gives a fairly quick relief.
Oregano oil taken internally is also an option.

//www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1993402#i

Have you read about DMSO?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/490806-dmso-for-interstitial-cystitis/

I knew I had more on this cystitis subject. Here are some convincing testimonials for coconut oil as an effective treatment:
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Vestiges of Interstitial Cystitis - while I was never formally diagnosed, I had all of the symptoms (all of the symptoms of a UTI with consistently negative cultures), following some back to back UTIs and a compromised immune system. Oddly enough, I started supplementing with coconut oil and the irritation and urgency went away. I knew it was the coconut oil, because if I only took it once a day, the symptoms would be back within 12 hours. I began taking 3 tbsp spread out throughout the day and all of the UTI-like symptoms went away completely.

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I am beginning to believe that interstitial cystitis is a bogus diagnosis that thousands of MDs have earned a pretty penny off of - in fact - entire medical fields have opened due to this diagnosis. I think all women with this should try coconuts before they spend another dime! I know the frustrations - I have been to the best urogynes and urologists - Northwestern in Chicago since I was a teenager and in California. I have had my urethra widened twice, - I have been tortured like so many other women; missed life events, canceled trips, spent many days in the ER with flares - not too mention the $$$ spent! AND ALL THIS TIME -- COCONUTS WOULD HAVE SOLVED MY PAIN. I MUST TELL EVERY WOMAN!!!!"

There are many thousands more links. Google "interstitial cystitis and coconut oil"

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Caution:
titrate slooowly - start with 1/2 teaspoon and slowly build up to 3 tablespoons. Too much coconut oil too soon could result in diarrhea if your gallbladder is lazy from not enough use. If you are a vegetarian, you can even get gallbladder pain from your gallbladder being loaded with crud & sxtones from a lack of use.

You should also be taking Vitamin D3 Geltabs to boost your immune system:
http://www.naturalnews.com/z028357_vitamin_D_deficiency.html

http://tinyurl.com/Vitamin-D-Report

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PS) One last thing:
IMO, Iodine with required supplements will be a great help for your lyme disease. This is because Iodine is the very best Antibiotic known to kill virus, germs, bacteria, cancer & fungas.
http://www.life-enthusiast.com/index/products/Supplements_Iodine/Iodine_Unive...


Hope this helps,
Grizz