[yondergirl]

hey ladies,
I've had a UTI since May. Antibiotic called Cephalexin suppresses the symptoms but I'm nervous about taking it long term, even low dose. Any advice? Have tried ALL the obvious stuff...cranberry, D-Mannose, etc...argh...a bit panicked.

[Italianwife88]

hi guys,

im currently fighting a kidney/bladder/uti... or whatever it is this time. I dont have insruance so like faeritails was saying I too could barley walk when i made it to a doctor i too gave them a sample full of blood and clots and my kidneys felt like someone had just used me for boxing practice... i never felt so sick in my life (well maybe except for the time i had rocky mount. tick fever...er.)

Doctor started me on cipro (think thats right) and i HATE antibiotics because i know they not only kill the bad guys, they kill the good guys. so Ive been taking it with acid L. hoping to balance it out. For the first time in a long time i feel happy, my libido is up, and everything just feel good again.

I keep drinking lots of water and cranberry so i hope i can keep fighting these off. i keep jumping between BV, Yeast, and UTI's .

[faerietails2]

AZO actually works really well for me (the urinary pain one that contains pyridium, not the preventative cranberry pills). Although it doesn't really do anything other than easing the symptoms.

I am sooooo glad I haven't gotten a UTI in over a year now. The last few I had were so bad that I was peeing blood (and blood clots!). It was awful. I had to go to the health center on campus (I remember I could barely walk there), and when I handed them my urine sample they freaked out. The antibiotics cleared it up pretty quickly, though.

I never thought about it until after the last time I had one, but I do think lube was part of the cause. I would always get UTIs after using my vibrator, even though I kept that shit really really clean. I still use lube, but now I wipe myself down with baby wipes before and after using my vibrators, plus I pee right after. And I drink a lot more water now than I used to.

[funnybird]

Thanks for reviving this this thread. I have has UTIs once a year since I started having sex. I've just finished my second dose of antibiotics for this particular bout, and I'm still not sure that it's entirely gone away.
Crazyoldcatlady's list covers everything I've ever been told by various medics over the years (I've ALWAYS had to resort to antibiotics; no amount of cranberry works for me). I can usually always trace it to having had sex and not peeing / showering straight afterwards too, which has me slapping my forehead, Homer Simpson-style when it feels like I'm pissing napalm the next day. One thing that I was told this time (now that I've reached the grand-old age of 29) is that it's very common for women in their 20s, and a lot of people 'grow out' of it in their 30s. Here's hoping...
I understand the situation with your Dad. Mine is a physician too, and has prescribed antibiotics for me in the past. I remember cringing with embarrasment the first time, knowing that I was as good as admitting to having had sex. And I agree that the gynocologist sounds effed-up. That's the last person who should be judging you!

[crazyoldcatlady]

crin, yeah, one of the things i couldn't reconcile was WHY i was getting these when i keep my shit pristine, you know? i talked to the doctor and was like listen, i'm a neat woman, why do i keep getting these? and she basically said, "it just happens, no matter how hygenic you are."

so yeah, the cran pills and juice are supposed to be prophylactic. the uristat thing i think is pyridium (turns the pee orange?), and is an anti-spasmotic. that's more of an acute treatment rather than a prophylactic.

and as far as your gyno, FUCK her. you need to feel comfortable with whomever you see, so that you and she will be uninhibited; complete honesty and trust between patient and doctor are key, and if she's getting all righteous on you, that's out the window. plus, the added burn of knowing someone personally in the office might not be ideal, either. as far as cost: you can get primary gyno care at planned parenthood. i d k the cost, but they're all about sliding scale, so you can go get your uti/birth control/pap smear/misc shit taken care of in one fell swoop.

[crinoline]

Thanks catlady! Thats exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for. A few things:

Yes, Crinoboy is circumcised, and we shower together every morning so I get to personally wash his junk. I am also very clean.

I am on BC, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was a contributing factor, esp. since it seems that I always get an infection at the end of my period when I start a new pack. (I'm on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo)

*sigh* One more reason I should use regular tampons. I just hate changing every hour, but maybe it's worth it?

About the cranberry pills, are they supposed to be a preventative or a treatment? I bought some, along with real juice today.

I also bought something called Uristat, which is supposed to treat urinary pain symptoms (awesome!) I sure hope it works, sometimes the pain is so bad that I'm not sure if I can drive (the pressure of the seatbelt).

Unfortunately, I, uh, don't have a gynecologist. *ducks flying fruit* I haven't been since I was 19. I know the gynecologist I'm supposed to see socially, my aunt is her nurse , so she just gives me my BC pills for free. I know I'm supposed to go, but it's just so...awful. And expensive. Also, my gynecologist told me she would be very disappointed if I slept with my boyfriend, so I've been reluctant to go back since we've had sex. Ugh. Small town stuff.

Thanks for your help, and if anyone has any more advice, I'm all ears!!

[crazyoldcatlady]

crin-

coupla ideas, which are pretty typical suggestions in the literature...

-azo cranberry or other cranberry pills acutally don't show demonstrable results in the studies; most is just anecdotal evidence. i tried 'em, didn't notice a difference, too expensive. stick with the juice (pure cranberry, little to no sugar)
-wear cotton underwear or no underwear, NO thongs
-use regular tampons; avoid super absorptive, and change often. the string is a great nidus for bacteria to grow and get flung around your urethral opening
-back to front wiping. duh. also, dab/blot instead of wipe after you pee
-avoid any perfumed anything down there; no bubble baths
- water-based lube
-make sure HIS JUNK is clean. make HIM shower and wash his piece good before play. i can't stress that enough. is he circumcised?
-consider "sitz baths" or showering after you defecate. or if you have a bidet... (ha!)
-lots of water, no soda, no alcohol (!), no coffee, anything that acts as a diuretic

-as far as antibiotics go, i've heard two schools of thought: either keep 'em around to pop before sex (some docs won't like that, antibiotic resistance etc). the other option is antibiotics all the time, which i don't think is that great an option, either.

-make sure you get a urine culture each time you get a UTI; you might be getting different bugs each time, or you might be getting the same one over and over and have developed antibiotic resistance to it. a culture will make sure the antibiotic you're getting is specifically tailored to effectively treat the bug you have.

okay, that's all the typical shit they say. i get uti's a lot, too, and here's anecdotal stuff i noticed:

-oral sex actually tends to give me uti's more.
-keep my own immune system in tip top shape; vit C, multivitamin, etc.
-shower immediately after working out
-nothing tight down there. pants included. if you need to wear panties during the day, consider "airing out" at night and go bottomless at least
-need a specific condom; i think durex was the last bunch i used that didn't bother me. no ribbed, no lube, no spermicide.
-i keep antibiotics around if there's ANY inkling that i might be getting one to cut it off before it gets ugly


talk to your own gyno to avoid having to consult your dad.
are you on birth control? what form? some can eff with your pH and get that whole area out of whack.

phew, that's all i can think of for now, hope it helps?

[crinoline]

I know this is a dead thread, and maybe I should post this question elsewhere, but...

I have been getting UTIs on a monthly basis for over a year now. They started when I became sexually active (beware glycerin based lube lurking on condoms). Now they are sometimes triggered by sex, especially if I forget to pee after wards, and we can't ever use lube anymore, because I can't find one that doesn't make me sick. However, even if I manage to avoid it through sex, it comes back whenever I get my period.

I guess what I'm looking for is advice on prevention / treatment.

For example, what are cranberry pills and where could I find them? Also, besides peeing afterwards, is there anything I can do (such as avoid certain positions or something) during /after sex to prevent a uti?

Here's what I know:
I should always pee after sex
Drink lots of water and Cranberry Juice
No Sodas

That's about all I know on the subject. My father is a physician, and he prescribes antibiotics for me, but I'm too shy to ask him further about a condition I suffer as a result of premarital sex.

[hopey]

Ok, question for those of you who have had lots of these damn UTI's. I've been taking AZO Standard the past couple of days and now I'm starting to itch real bad, kinda like a yeastie but there's no discharge or any other symptoms. Can the AZO make you itchy? Going to the doctor tomorrow or Wed. but I'd rather not have to have a full exam...
Any ideas??

This might be a little late since you may have already seen your doctor, but in case it comes up with anyone else... you may have Bacterial Vaginosis that spread to your urethra (common from wiping back to front.) I could be wrong, but I believe the only way to get rid of this for good is with a doctor-administered medication.

Follow up on my post... the pain is mostly gone, although each morning my "first pee" is a killer and pinkish. I have an appointment to see my chick doctor. She indicated that she thinks its Urethritis (an infection in my uretha, not my bladder or kidneys), but is mildly concerned because the same symptoms occur with Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and genital herpes. Please cross your fingers for me, I sure as fuck don't want that kind of bad news.

[little_idiot]

Ok, question for those of you who have had lots of these damn UTI's. I've been taking AZO Standard the past couple of days and now I'm starting to itch real bad, kinda like a yeastie but there's no discharge or any other symptoms. Can the AZO make you itchy? Going to the doctor tomorrow or Wed. but I'd rather not have to have a full exam...
Any ideas??

[little_idiot]

I'm no expert, but I've never had blood in my urine, even with a really bad UTI... I would worry if I saw blood. But if you're taking AZO standard, keep in mind that it changes the color of your urine to reddish-orange (looks crazy!! but it's kind of cool) but it doesn't sound like that's what you're talking about. Since you've had this happen before, I wouldn't panic, but I would make an appt. to see a urologist, since your gyno couldn't figure it out.

[hopey]

Has anyone else with frequent UTIs seen blood in their pee?

A little over a year ago, I had what seemed to be UTIs every single month, sometimes twice a month. It started to get really bad, lasting for days and once I thought I saw blood in my urine. My gynocologist did cultures, tests, etc. and all she was able to do is determine is that she didn't know what was wrong. She recommended I eat, exercise and sleep better to boost my immune system, and if I ever saw blood again, to see a urologist.

I never did see the urologist because at the same time I switched from bc pills to an IUD and the episodes only occured a couple more times, but not as severe. I don't know if it was a cyclical thing that was remedied by stopping the pill, or the change in my lifestyle habits, or both.

Then this morning, I wake up with it again, and it is f#@$ing horrible. There are little "clots" of blood in my urine, and it is pinkish, and it hurts and I want to die.

[little_idiot]

Hi ladies--
I have never had a problem with UTI's before... I have had maybe one or two random ones in my whole 23 years, and now I've had two in the past couple of months. I'm wondering if this is just a coincidence or if there could be some reason for it? Nothing has changed as far as my diet or sex habits... only sleep with one person and always make sure to pee pretty soon after... Last night I was awake in pain most of the night and continuously running to the bathroom. Ugh, and it's a holiday so I won't be able to get to the clinic till Tues. or Wed. at the earliest. This feels different than last time tho... It felt like my bladder was throbbing whenever I peed the last time I had a UTI, and this time it doesn't throb, it just hurts, but not even steadily. Like for a while, it'll feel fine, and then in an hour or so it hurts so bad I'm ready to go to the ER. I don't get it... Luckily I got some Azo today and it seems to be helping, but I know it's only temporary. I'm so tired and woozy and out-of-it too, I think from the lack of sleep last night, but it makes it all so much worse. I feel so bad for those of you who deal with this frequently...

[thisxabovexall]

I think I'm somewhat prone to UTIs. I've been taking cranberry pills with my vitamins everyday and forcing myself to use the bathroom after sex and it seems to be working well.

[astro]

I went through a period of about 2 years or so when I would be suffering from UTI nearly constantly. I got really tired of taking antibiotics all the time (and not being given any real alternatives by my GP) not to mention of the pain and constant peeing etc. I found that when I resumed practising yoga on a regular basis, UTI's became much fewer and further between. I'm convinced that it was directly related...and that all the twisting postures in particular helped to strengthen the whole kidney and bladder area against infection...
I still get the occasional UTI, but no more than once a year now...

[suffering]

NPain, Are you around? How are things going? Things are still the same with me. I am almost done the hyperbaric treatment. Only four days left. I haven't noticed any improvment in any way yet.

[suffering]

Hi napain,

I am glad you are doing better!

The nurse said this bladder infection can take quite a while to treat. This week I am going to do a repeat of the urine test to make sure this antibiotic is working. The problem is I can't really go by symptoms because Lyme can also cause awful bladder problems too. How can I distinguish between what is caused by Lyme and waht is caused by enteroccocus? So confused...

Take care, glad you're doing better.

[npain]

suffering, actually, I am doing better. I have been so busy lately that I guess it has distracted me from my problem. I will let you know if this is a fluke or if I am really improving. So the Lyme doc is backed up, eh? sounds like a lot of people share your situation (sort-of). have you spoken to your doc about the antibiotics not helping? sounds like you may not be on the right track there or maybe it just take a really long while. well, I'm still around if you want to talk. take care.

[suffering]

I just started Hyberbaric oxygen for Lyme 2 weeks ago. So far I have had one nasty reaction (a herx reaction) which is actually a good sign.

I am still on my antibiotics for my bladder. Don't think I've noticed any difference though.

Still waiting to see the Lyme doctor.

npain, I never see you around on this thread anymore. Hope it's because you are doing much better. take care.

[suffering]

Hi. It does sound like your situation could be hormone rleated just based on what you tell me but honestly I don't know anything about hormones really.

The antibiotics aren't helping me feel better at all. It's only been 3 days though. Apparently it can take months to feel any difference.

The lyme doctor is taking so long because he is the ONLY lyme doctor in my city (Toronto). He is totally flooded with referrals. I have no idea when I'll get to see him -- hopefully soon!