Urinary Tract Infection

[as9]

I've had recurring UTIs for a few years now. Approximately 6 per year. I usually try to ward them off by drinking copious amounts of pure concentrated cranberry juice and popping cranberry pills. I've been drinking cranberry juice every morning and night, and taking vitamin C pills before I go to sleep. I don't like to take antibiotics since I tend to get yeast infections if I do. I only resort to antibiotics if the UTI gets really bad and cranberries don't do anything. Recently I've been feeling like I constantly have a UTI I resorted to antibiotics after and emergency room visit and took them for 10 days. One week later and I feel like I'm getting another UTI!! This is driving me nuts! I'm afraid to do the 6 month antibiotic treatments because, one I don't want to have a permanent yeast infection for 6 months and two I don't want any resistance to build up. I've had ultra sounds that have shown nothing. I'm at my wits end. PLEASE HELP!

[Likalu]

I can understand what you are talking about. I wish I had an answer to your problem....but.....
I have had 4 this year....I am having symptoms right now but my urinalysis was normal. I am beginning to wonder what the problem may be. I had bladder surgery 2 years ago due to a prolapse bladder. I haven't had any problems with the surgery or really had any symptoms until March of this year. I'm not sure what I should do.....or what is causing my problem. I would love some advice a well. :o(

[clothespeg]

Hi as9 & Likalu,

Sorry I can't help but I'm in the same boat and wish we could find an explanation and a solution !

I used to get just the odd bout, but last year had many UTI's in a row. Blood and urine tests showed up nothing significant. Then it miraculously cleared up for almost a year, but now I've had another bad bout. This time I took a full course of D-mannose but it didn't help. Now I've reluctantly started a course of strong antibiotic (Roxin). I am allergic to pencillins & sulfas. I hate having to do it, but just can't stand the pain & burning any longer. I'm starting to wonder if it really is a UTI or something more sinister ! So I'm searching forums world-wide for the hope of relief !

I hope you two are feeling better now !

[stargirldd]

I am there with you folks. I feel as if I am on a rollercoaster. I do have diabetes, but have gotten UTIs since before onset. (Actually, I used to get them as a little girl.) I am extremely well controlled with my blood sugars and exercise on a daily basis. I have been to a urilogist who performed all the necessary testing and has told me I have no problems that would cause this. I was told some women have bodies that are more suceptiable than others. For me, I get them mainly when I am sexually active, so my doctor pescribed a post coital dose of macrobid. Problem is that I pop a pill several times a week, and I think that is not so great for my health. However the urinary tract infections are worse. I want off the rollercoaster!

Just so you know:
1. I drink cranberry juice (the sugar free/diet variety)
2. I wash and follow all the other directions that have been given to me.

[clothespeg]

Stargirl, how awful ! I truly know how you feel ! Is it possible what you or I might have is something else, as the doctors can't find anything "wrong" on our tests ? Something with similar symptoms, perhaps, which might explain why it's diagnosed as UTI ? In fact I've often wondered about this.

The roxin seemed to clear mine up somewhat, yet I got the symptoms again before I'd even finished the pack. I took another pack, thinking it needed more time to clear up. However that's now finished too, and I'm still no better off. The strange thing is, it seems to get worse when I'm standing up a lot, and eases when I've been sitting down for a while. (But I can't spend my life sitting down) ! I also get a bit of relief by sitting in a tub of very hot water with sodium bicabonate (baking powder) in it, for about 15 minutes. But it doesn't last !

I've decided to go to a hospital to get general tests done to see what they can find. It aint easy here, as I live in a very small village in Turkey. We don't have cranberry juice here, but we certainly do wash well ! If they don't find anything, I will get checked out when I go to the UK next month. Won't rest till I find out what's really wrong with me !

[TRuth]

Hello! I have just found this forum and read your posts. This reminded me of me spending most of the night in the restroom, being able to think of nothing but the awful pain and pressure and burning sensation and how to get rid of it. Thanks God it's been a while since that hasn't bothered me, but I know how painful and annoying it can be! I've been there.

My recommendation is to try UTI-Slip D-Mannose. I know it works and it has helped women who have been much worse than I.

I hope this piece of information is useful for you. Let me know if it was of any help or if you have any questions.

[clothespeg]

Further to my earlier post, I felt particularly bad the other evening and went to the local hospital the next morning. I had a blood test, urine test & ultrasound. The urine was murky & turned up a thriving population of bacteria. The doctor prescribed a different antibiotic (which he assured me I would not be allergic to), and a citrus drink to be taken once only. So far it's working after 2 days, but I am still cautious. To be totally free of the pain & discomfort seems too good to be true at this stage.

I still suspect I may have IC as well as UTI -- this can be risky as one may mask the symptoms of the other. I will continue the soda water baths and try a heat pack in the groin area to relieve it.

I wish all you good folks well !

[dmcmom]

Hi-you may want to read about interstitial cystitis--to see if the symptoms -could be what you are experiencing--good luck.dmcmom

[christina257]

I am going through the same thing, and it is very scary. For me, the UTI's started in 2005, and I have been in hospital etc and am still searching for answers....I got the first UTI when I started seeing my now ex boyfriend. I am wondering, if I have been getting the bacteria from him. My doctors have said it could be possible, but I have never gone through this before with any other boyfriend!
I was so ill last year.....the side effects of the antibiotics caused severe yeast infections, and the nasty bacteria became antibiotic resistant.
I am afraid that I will never get rid of the UIT's, even though I got rid of the boyfriend. I have done so much research about UI's, and still am trying to find answers.....my diet is excellent, I have all the natural remedies.....and still can't get rid of this infection.
I wish I had some answers for you, but I don't! This is as far as I've got, but I really am questioning if the UTI's can be sexually transmitted, because if they are, women have to know about this!
Good luck & if you get some new info-pls keep me posted!
S.

[TRuth]

I don't know anything about UTIs being sexually transmitted, but I do know they are related to the act, they are favored by it.

Regarding the treatment, I know there are plenty of recommendations, but the fact is we are each different individuals, with our peculiarities, and what works very well for someone may not work the same for you. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try, especially if the recommendations are things that cannot harm, natural treatments or stuff like that.