Ladies-UTI help please!

[Simba's Mom]

That's Urinary Tract Infections-repeatedly! I've just been diagnosed with my fourth this year. This time my doctor has me on a low dose of antibiotics for a month! If that doesn't get rid of it for good, he's going to send me to a urologist. What I need is support from people who've had repeated UTIs and been normal. I guess I'd assumed it was part of "this time of life" (meno-), but when he said a urologist, I'm so afraid this means there's something serious wrong! Does anyone have any tips to help me avoid getting them so often? I know I should drink more water, but would it help to drink cranberry juice every morning instead of orange juice? Anything else?

 

[AuntieM03]

How about cranberry pills? I was taking them for a while because of frequent UTI.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I get UTI's a lot. Don't worry. I got my first one when I was in high school. I'm now 41 and I probably get them three or four times a year. My mom gets them a lot too. I've seen urologists a few times and had many uncomfortable tests done but everything is fine. I just try to always drink lots and lots of water. My mom has had one recently that keeps coming back as soon as she finishes the anitbiotics so she has to go see a urologist and have a cystoscopy done. I hope you feel better. Let me know if I can try to answer any other questions for you. Cranberry juice works too, but definitely lots of water. Oh BTW, when I drink a lot of orange juice or other citrussy drinks, I tend to get a UTI. So I would say maybe start drinking the cranberry juice instead of the orange juice.

 

[luvmydogs]

I've seen my PCP, a urologist and finally a nephrologist this past Wed. for having 11 UTI's/kidney infections in the last two years. I've had every test done: CT's, ultrasounds, and cystoscopy/IVP. One of the worst infections I've gotten (104 fever, vomiting, 13 pounds of temporary fluid retention due to loss of kidney function ) was when I was on a prophylactic Septra DS dosage. They seem to come on overnight sometimes, and the only antibiotics that clear these infections seem to be Levaquin or Cipro.

My nephrologist is doing several other tests (did you know you can have a form of tuberculosis in your kidneys?), but so far every test done by the urologist have my kidneys/ureters/bladder/urethra looking perfect. They just can't figure it out.

I'm looking forward to getting these tests back, and hopfully heading towards some sort of treatment plan. I've just about had it. Hopefully your low-dose AB's will kick out the infection completely--believe me, I do know what a PIA they are!

 

[Christine]

I never get them but, the funny thing is, both my aunt and my mom started getting them regularly when they went through menopause. I do think my mom was sent to a urologist just to rule out anything more serious. I think they also gave her a "standing" perscription for antibiotics once they knew it was all okay.

Not to get to graphic here, but when you go through menopause, things start to change "down there" and the urethra becomes more exposed and vulnerable to bacteria. During this time, you need to take special precautions to drink more water causing you to urinate more frequently and to avoid situations where you introduce more bacterial to the area.

 

[malibuconlee]

My doc recommended taking time-release Vitamin C twice a day. It helps control the acidity in the bladder. Also, drink lots of water. Urinate after sex.

Since you're having problems, once this gets cleared up make sure that anytime in the future that you get one, that once you are done taking your antibiotics you go back to the doc for another urine test to make sure it's gone. I think that was the problem with my repeat UTI's. The infection wasn't all the way gone.

My last doc spouted the whole AMA says 3 days for meds. He prescribed 7, twice, and it came back both times (the first time it came back was at WDW on our first day of a week-long trip. Thank God he had sent me with a just in case prescription). Finally he prescribed 10 days which is what I had previously had, and it went away.

If it's really painful ask for Peridium. But take it sparingly, as it can affect how well the antiobiotic works.

Good luck!! Been there, done that, and I'm only 30!!

 

[luvmydogs]

I never get them but, the funny thing is, both my aunt and my mom started getting them regularly when they went through menopause. I do think my mom was sent to a urologist just to rule out anything more serious. I think they also gave her a "standing" perscription for antibiotics once they knew it was all okay.

Not to get to graphic here, but when you go through menopause, things start to change "down there" and the urethra becomes more exposed and vulnerable to bacteria. During this time, you need to take special precautions to drink more water causing you to urinate more frequently and to avoid situations where you introduce more bacterial to the area.

My nephrologist told me the exact same thing. I'm only 38, but she gave me an Rx for Premarin cream, which keeps the urethreal cells plumped up and more resistant to bacteria. Just another possible line of defense.

Sorry if TMI.

 

[Christine]

My nephrologist told me the exact same thing. I'm only 38, but she gave me an Rx for Premarin cream, which keeps the urethreal cells plumped up and more resistant to bacteria. Just another possible line of defense.

Sorry if TMI.

Hey, I know there are some people who can't stand threads like these but, unfortunately, there is just not enough good information out there on women's problems. They just kind of skirt around the nitty-gritty information that I think women need to know. It seems that people really don't like to talk about the bazillion odd changes that happen when you get to be around 40. I find it helpful to know what other people go through because it's probably gonna happen to me sooner or later!

 

[gradtchr]

I was told not to take bubble baths when I was having trouble with frequent UTI's.

 

[Mysteria]

I, for one, am glad this thread was started. I am 37 and I've been having problems recently and was just on antibiotics for 3 days. They suggested at the ER (went to ER because I don't have my marriage certificate yet to get on DH's insurance) that I see a urologist. I will be doing that as soon as I can to rule out any serious problems.

Myst

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since it is "all out there", I will share my experience.

I kept getting them and went for that wonderful ultrasound, inter-"V", if you know what I mean and I had foreign stuff in my uterus. They called it "fluff".
I had a D & C done and was fine ever since.

I have no idea, what, where, why but that is what helped me.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Mysteria]

I was told not to take bubble baths when I was having trouble with frequent UTI's.

Me too. Don't use scented anything in the area either.

Myst

 

[LoveWDW]

A year ago I had the cystoscopy and kidney x-ray, and it was determined that there was nothing nasty. The urethra needed to be expanded a little. It made a big difference in the number of infections, but it didn't stop them entirely. The doctor doesn't want to prescribe antibiotics for all the time, but he prescribed a small number for me to use for a few days when I feel discomfort.

I went to the urologist when the infections started happening every month or two, and after my husband had to drive me while I was in severe pain to the emergency room twice. Going to the urologist is one of the best things I have ever done. It set my mind at rest about the cause of the problem, and it gave me better access to medical care for the problem than I had before. If your doctor has recommended a urologist, my recommendation is to go ahead. The procedure isn't any big deal, and the uroligist may be able to make the number of infections much less.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Oh yea, and I could only use Dove soap. No way could I take a bath. Also being clean before "things" helped.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I get UTI's a lot. Don't worry. I got my first one when I was in high school. I'm now 41 and I probably get them three or four times a year. My mom gets them a lot too. I've seen urologists a few times and had many uncomfortable tests done but everything is fine. I just try to always drink lots and lots of water. My mom has had one recently that keeps coming back as soon as she finishes the anitbiotics so she has to go see a urologist and have a cystoscopy done. I hope you feel better. Let me know if I can try to answer any other questions for you. Cranberry juice works too, but definitely lots of water. Oh BTW, when I drink a lot of orange juice or other citrussy drinks, I tend to get a UTI. So I would say maybe start drinking the cranberry juice instead of the orange juice.

Boy, thanks so much for the suggestion about the citrus. Instead of my morning OJ, it'll be morning cranberry juice from now on! And I really appreciate hearing from so many others who share my problem. I don't wish it on anyone, but I'm relieved to hear I'm not an oddity in that respect. Also, it sounds like I might want to switch to a mild soap to use there when I shower, and use the Bath and Body Bath gel for other areas of my body.

 

[hoosll]

I almost always get a UTI started in the summer or when I go to WDW. Causes:

1. Dehydration, more concentrated urine
2. Humidity slows evaporation in THOSE areas
3. Tight pants that chafe

Solutions:
1. Immediately take cranberry juice, one time at WL, I had the bartender give me a glass of cranberry concentrate from the bar over ice so I could get max amount in short time - so yes drink cranberry juice

2. I use diaper cream to protect my skin from moisture and chafing. I will even carry dry undies with me ... one time I bought a 3-pack at Epcot so I could get dry ...

3. Hard as it is, ALWAYS empty your bladder after sex as it flushes out any bacteria.

 

[Simba's Mom]

And I was at WDW last week! Does that mean I shouldn't go to WDW in hot weather? Sorry, if so, I'm still going-just drinking more water. Honestly all the tips have been great! Started my morning cranberry juice habit this morning.

 

[wuv tigger]

My MD said to take them vs. the cranberry juice due to the high sugar content.

ANY time I think a uti might be coming on, I take the cranberry caps and things clear up in 2-3 days.

 

[Christine]

If you can get to a health food store or a Whole Foods, they actually sell "pure" cranberry juice. Most cranberry juices are a blend of cranberry, apple, and lots of sugar. If you try some real cranberry juice, you'll know why they make the blend! That stuff is nasty. But you can pour some over ice or dilute it and choke down a small glass. That will work much better than the old Ocean Spray.

Also, I have to agree with the heat/dehydration theory. We were in Disney in June and on that particular week, it was close to 100 degrees each day. I am not much of a drinker because it makes me pee all the time, but I was sucking down bottles of water all day. The scary part was that I was hardly going to the bathroom. The heat did a real number on me. Fortunately, I did not get a UTI, but when I did go to the bathroom, it was starting to burn. I could see how, if you were prone to infections, this would certainly set one off.