Urinary Incontinence

[Sondra11]

I'm over 65 and have had UTI's off and on most of my life. However, this year I've already had 4 infections and one of them was just 2 months ago. I've gotten so I keep a supply of my antibiotic on hand so I can start treatment when I get one, whether it be in the middle of the night or on a Saturday when I can't get into the doctor. Anyway, does anyone else out there have so many and what could be the cause? Having "googled" it, I did find out that perhaps I'm not thoroughly getting rid of it each time and therefore it comes back. I do have an appointment with a urologist but not for about 6 weeks. Meantime, I don't know what to think and my "Primary Care Physician" is little help. Thanks.....

[UroDoc]

A decrease in estrogen causing vaginal atrophy can be a possible cause. Also not completely emptying your bladder due to bladder dysfunction or a cystocele may be a factor. Sometimes a nightly dose of Nitrofurantoin can be helpful in sterilizing your urine. Also you would want to make sure you do not have a stone in your urinary tract harboring the infection.

[Sondra11]

Thank you for your insight. I assume you are a health care provider. I will take your thoughts when I see the urologist next month. Sondra

[UroDoc]

I am a urologist, please feel free to click on the icon next to "urodoc"

[milosmom]

I have been fighting UTI's since Feb.06. Twice I have been in the hospital septic from a UTI. This year alone we have been fighting an infection since May and it is still not cured. I am on Prednisone for a lung disease so I have no symptoms of a UTI. I have no pain what so ever. I am seeing another urologist this afternoon to see maybe there is a test that they missed to find out why this UTI that has lasted for 5 months won't go away. I hope you get some answers from your urologist.

[Sondra11]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post. I am sorry you have had so many health problems. You do not say your age, but I assume you are a "senior". I did get in early to see my urologist on a cancellation and he put me on a 6 month program of antibiotics to try to get rid of it. I also have frequent urination, especially during the night, and I still have no answers for that problem. I do see him again next week. It's really fun getting old, huh? I will pray that you get some answers also. Thanks again.

[milosmom]

I am a 55 year old woman. Yep it is "fun" in the 'Golden Years" I recently had a complete hysterecomy and now I am totally incontinent. That and my UTI is what I will be discussing with the doctor today. Be careful with the antibiotics. With me having so many UTI's my body has decided to become allergic to alot of the antibiotics. Now I have to see an allergist to reintroduce the ones I am allergic to because those are the ones I need. Such great fun!! Good luck and I too will pray that you get all your health issues taken care of.

[Sondra11]

Please let me know what you find out at the doctor. I do not have incontinence so I am very blessed, I guess. I would really like to know why they cannot cure your infection. The hysterectomy should have nothing to do with it. I too had one several years ago and also a bladder suspension. I have been very happy with that until this latest thing with all the infections. Also, I have never been in the hospital with a UTI. Have you been on Nitrofurantoin? That is what he has me on for 6 months. I guess compared with you I have few problems. I'm hoping to be able to be helped on the getting up 6 times a night thing. I think they call that noctural, or something like that. My regular doctor wanted me on Detrol but the urologist vetoed that. I don't have "sudden urge", I just have to go a lot. I'm drinking less water and that seems to help some, but I still go a lot. I was surprised to learn (from the internet) that we really need a whole lot less water than they tell us to drink. My doctor confirmed that too. So, I've been trying to limit my intake to about 48 oz. a day (plus my morning coffee, of course). I also do not drink anything after dinner at night. I don't know if it has actually helped yet or not as I've only been doing it a few days. Anyway, let me know what you find out.......Sondra

[urinary tract health]

Hi,

Although urinary tract infections aren't commonly deadly infections if they're treated properly and as soon as possible, they will still be uncomfortable and can disrupt your day-to-day life. You can however take some easy steps each day to prevent chronic UTI's from forever infecting you. Firstly it is crucial that you understand the reasons behind your bladder infections, and the symptoms that accompany them.
You can solve this problem as soon as early. This site can helpful to you.

[moderator note: website address has been removed]

[milosmom]

Not sure if I am considered unusual or not.I have NEVER had a symptom of a UTI. Never any pain at all since I have had a UTI for 17months now. My doctor has discovered why I am not getting rid of the UTI. I have a lung disease and have been on Prednisone since Aug.of 2004. That is the cause of my UTI problem. I have been on so many different antibiotics that it is scary. The antibiotic would work for the UTI I had at the moment but as soon as I was cultured (right after stopping medication) I would have another one. Then in March 08 I was given Macrobid and had some very serious side effects. I lost 75 % of my hair and because I have a lung disease already the macrobid wiped out 3 years of healing on my lungs. Nasty stuff. So after the macrobid problem my GYN Urologist took me off all antibiotics and I am not using the water treatment. I drink 2 liters of water a day and that is doing the trick. While I am not UTI free I am protecting my kidney's by drinking the water. Been doing this for 4 months now and I feel ok.