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intestinal problems to allergies. Nor did a homeopath, a doctor of acupuncture,
numerous gynecologists or doctors in three hospital emergency rooms.
Then in December of 1981, when I was three months pregnant, a doctor of preventive medicine told me he believed I was allergic to several foods. Cytotoxic tests confirmed his diagnosis and immediately after I stopped eating wheat, apples, milk, eggs and some other foods my intestinal problems disappeared. With careful and persistent efforts to adjust my diet, my bladder has been better as well. Just as important, this doctor discovered that I had developed a fungus in my intestines from the antibiotics I'd taken for bladder infections. This fungus was interfering with absorption of nutrients in my food and accounted for the extreme tiredness and depression I had felt since 1975. With vitamin supplements, I became a happy, energetic woman. Unfortunately, most of the doctors I had seen before 1981 seemed to believe (as I did) that allergies are hives or hay fever. Sensitivity is perhaps a better word. Almost everyone is sensitive to or intolerant of something, often without knowing it. Some people are allergic to certain synthetics, grass, petroleum products and so forth. Many others are allergic to one or more foods. Urologists believe that allergic cystitis is rare. Perhaps it is. But I am skeptical. In my case they weren't even looking for it. Life is not as it was 10 years ago. In many ways it is better. All of the internists I saw and most of the urologists had suggested that my cystitis and intestinal |
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problems might be caused by nerves or stress. I have had four years of psychological
therapy as a result of that diagnosis. Two fine women therapists have helped
me through a grim period in my life and I'm very grateful. I'm a healthier
person than I was 10 years ago, easier on myself and, as a result, on others.
But by 1975 the bladder symptoms were definitely harder on my state of mind
than vice versa. Even now, my bladder problems are not totally cured. But I am able to sleep with only two to four trips to the bathroom at night, and some days my bladder feels quite normal for as long as two hours at a time after voiding. This is a vast improvement since my new diet. But I believe that the damage done by all the dilations and tests will never be quite undone. Cystitis is still a mysterious disease. There are no universally accepted explanations of causes or cures. It is past time that the debate about two cures - dilation and urethrotomy - become a public one so that patients can help decide their own fate. Almost as distressing as the tests and dilations was a nearly unanimous arrogance of style among doctors I consulted. They were mostly well meaning, I believe, but I regret my own easy acquiescence in this one-sided relationship. I'm a little less intimidated now. Just as there are many methods of childbirth there are different ways of treating diseases. As parents have helped bring about better methods of childbirth, perhaps patients can help doctors to listen more attentively and take more responsibility themselves in making the gray - not black and white - decisions that doctors are faced with every day. |
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