Diet & drinks

Hi DME54,

I agree it's confusing. During my initial tests they found my cholesterol a little high, so I've given up foods with saturated bad fats etc. Thankfully that data seems to be more conclusive.

However when I was diagnosed with BC I googled what is good for the bladder... Have cranberrys, don't have cranberrys, drink tea, don't drink tea etc 

I've switched to Fruit tea's as I don't really drink much tea or coffee anyway.

I love fruit and think fruit has to be good for you in general. I've not heard about bananas being bad for you. 

Someone on here recommended Robertson's Barley Lemon. Not the fruit squash, so I've been drinking that.

I would say my eating habits have changed quite a bit over the last few Months, wether it's doing my bladder any good I've no Idea. 

I don't often go out to eat etc, but I do pop to the local pub for a pint when it's quiet and my head is in a good place.

I think a little of what you like is good for the brain if not always the body. I mean have a chocolate bar once in a while if you enjoy chocolate, etc 

Sorry for not having a definitive answer, but wish you all the best.

Hi DNE54, only advice I've been given by urology medical team has been...drink, drink, drink.  Water seems to be favoured choice, but I agree it's boring so I've gone down the lemon barley route too. I try to drink 2 litres of water/ lemon barley each day in addition to tea. coffee, and a couple of glasses of wine at the weekend. I think the main problem with alcoholic drinks is that they are dehydrating. Otherwise I try to eat a healthy diet but I definitely allow myself a small amount of chocolate or cake occasionally and I have banana in my homemade muesli every morning. There has to be a sensible amount of small pleasures in life I think. I've survived 6 years since diagnosis, 27 doses of BCG, 2 years with no evidence of disease. Hope your BCG arrives soon. Hx

You may find that certain drinks/foods irritate your bladder more than others - that's a bit of a trail & error process. Moderation in all things - don't forget that you can get a lot of fluid from food eg soups, casseroles, custard. Perhaps you prefer a savoury drink like very weak gravy?  or munch on cucumber or water melon?

As far as diet goes, a mediterranean diet is recommended - plenty of fresh fruit & veg, as varied as possible. Best wishes.

BFG, HEROTHEDOG & TEASSWILL,

Many thanks for your tips and suggestions on this. I do try to keep to a healthy diet as best i can after being at slimming world for 5 yrs, i have their books. I do enjoy water based decaff coffee, done in the microwave as it makes it a bit frothy but thats mainly what i drink. Im trying  Robinsons "no added sugar" summer fruits squash at the moment so ill see how that goes but im not a lover of squashes. I have recently noticed symptoms of interstitial cystitis, so when i can get an appt, ill see my gp(but thats like pulling hens teeth). Thanks again. Best wishes to you all.

Deb x

I had Interstitial cystitis for 34 yrs before cancer and diet can make a difference.It’s worth keeping a food diary if you have I.C symptoms.I had to cut out tomatoes,onions,cranberries,raisins,anything spicy,citrus or too acidic.Pear juice was the most soothing to drink.Now I’ve had bladder removal I’m back to eating as normal and it’s great to be free of bladder pain.Love Jane x

Thanks very much. Thats good to know. Ive found since yesterday, not drinking decaff coffee has reduced the need to pee so staying on weak squashes. Ill give pear juice a go though. I was looking at mediterranean diet but just cant stomach olive oil or sea food. I might try substituting olive oil with a little rapeseed oil instead.

I don’t like olives or olive oil but my late mum loved them and always used olive oil.It is a bit trial and error with diet but I found it really helped avoiding certain things.I had bladder ulcers in my 20’s and they were so painful cutting out anything too acidic was beneficial.I’ve heard that coffee can be irritating so good luck with the de caff.Love Jane 

Hello DME54.  My husband was diagnosed with BC in 2021 and is nearing the end of his BCG treatments.  When he started them his specialist nurse said that decaff tea and coffee might be better for him - in that they don't irritate the bladder so much.  He tried them and found no difference so went back to the normal stuff - he does mainly drink tea though.  

He had to start self catheterising as could not empty his bladder after the treatments but hasn't found that a problem other than that he was getting UTIs around twice a month.  Earlier this year he was put on a daily low dose antibiotic and since then has had no infections.  While he was getting the UTIs I did get advice on here but lemon barley water and cranberry didn't do anything to help.  He prefers plain filtered water anyway.  He doesn't take sugar or eat much sweet stuff, apart from fruit.  Hope that helps.  

Good afternoon DME54. I eat and drink whatever I like , I’ve had no information on changing diet and I’d only be confused if I had . I’ve had 15 BCG which have not been effective and I start next week on mitomycin. Just drink plenty of water.

Hi WallyB, crossing my fingers for you next week. Mitomycin did the trick for Mr Denby when BCG did not. Very best luck to you. Hx