Urinary Tract Infection

[kimmers86]

My name is Kim and I've been having recurring uti's for the last two years. I'm only 21 and this is seriously affecting my life. I've had to quit two jobs for it and I've been fired from one for missing working because of this. I usually get them once a month. I've had a cat scan done which came back negative, and I just had a cystoscopy done that was also negative. I'm getting one more test done next month and I'm hoping something will be found. One specialist I went to seems to think I'm just doomed to have these forever and there is no real reason behind it. I can't accept that answer, no way. Especially since taking antibiotics makes me horribly sick and only one type works anymore.
I've been taking d-mannose powder which seems to be keeping the infection at bay, but if I forget to take it every morning I can feel the UTI coming on and have to take some right away. I also ordered UTI Clear from native remedies, but that didn't seem to work at all. I don't drink soda, or any caffeine. I drink a TON of water. I go pee as soon as I feel the urge, wipe front to back, cleanse before and after sex...etc etc etc. I've been married for a year and my husband and I can't even have sex because of all this. I'm seriously at my wits end. I'm sick all the time, I can't get anything done, and I'm miserable. Any ideas? Any tips or tricks on how I can start to feel better while I wait for some answers? Any help is appreciated. Thank you

[pinklady29]

Hi Kim,

I'm 29. I've had recurring UTI's since I was 19. They lasted for several years, and then nothing for a few years. Now I'm getting them again...and sometimes pain when it's not even a UTI. I do all of the same things: lots of water, no caffeine, extra water when drinking alcohol, urinate & wash after sex, etc. I also no longer use shave gel down there. Use one type of soap only..for washing and shaving. Remember that cranberry juice can help or hurt..it's acidic, so can act as an irritant. Establish a relationship with a urologist or primary care physician where you can drop in to give a urine sample first thing in the morning when you are having symptoms. Then take your Uristat or Pyridium to provide relief. Even if it comes back negative in the office always have them send it to a lab to culture. This will ensure whether you have one or not, and let them know what type of bacteria to ensure that you are on the RIGHT type of antibiotic. You mentioned that there is only one type of antibiotic that works anymore. If you don't have a culture, the Dr. cannot accurately prescribe one of the antibiotics on the list from the lab that kills the specific bacteria in your urine. I've been on the incorrect antibiotic for over a month before not realizing that it's not recurrent UTI's, it's the original UTI (but without the proper antibiotic for that specific bacteria it doesn't go away!) I get sick from Levaquin, Metronidazole, etc. Some of the best for me when I have a choice (if they are on the list for your culture) are Sulfa & Macrobid. No extreme dizziness or side effects. Is your next test a urodynamic? Do you always get a test done in the office to ensure that when you're in pain that it is a UTI? I was also diagnosed with interstitial cystitis due to pain even when I don't have a UTI. Hope this helps.

[kimmers86]

thanks for your reply! They always test my urine to see if i have a uti and i always do. I'm not sure which test i'm getting done this month, i need to call the office. When I booked it they just said bladder study. Macrobid is the antibiotic they gave me last time that made me so sick. And bactrim and cipro are the two that i can think of off the top of my head that don't work anymore. When i've had my urine cultured it's been e-coli. This is all such a bummer. At least I'm not alone, huh?

[pinklady29]

Hi Kim,

I hope this gets better for you. Keep me posted on how everything goes with the test. Remember with those antibiotics to eat plenty of food with them even if it doesn't specify that..