Frequent Utis

Updated on January 13, 2009
B.F. asks from Fort Worth, TX
5 answers

Hi Moms. Just wondering if anyone else out there is dealing with (or has dealt with) frequent UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)..... I have had UTIs my whole life. Had my first surgery when I was only 2 years old and have been dealing with them since (I'm 37 now...). Last calendar year (2008), I had 8 different UTIs. I am seeing a urologist in Grapevine but she is kind of at a loss as to why this keeps happening. Each time I drop off a "specimen" and they grow it in a culture and each time it is the exact same bacteria (ecoli). So each time, I'm on a high-powered antibiotic (Levaquin or Cipro). Sometimes the antibiotic works, and sometimes it doesn't. I've already had one this calendar year and I'm pretty sure I'm working on my second one now. I am frustrated beyond belief. It affects so much in my life and I'm so tired of it. Sometimes its so painful that we can't even have sex.
Has anyone else out there dealt with anything similar where they were able to "cure" you? My mom has recently read about Restalin injections to help....OUCH! Anyway, I'm up for anything at this point. Thanks so much for your responses!!!
~B.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

My niece is 4 and has had 8 UTIs from ecoli infections. My sister lost insurance and came to me because I had had success treating my own UTIs during pregnancy naturally. The regimen I put her on has helped her be UTI free for 5 months now.
TO CURE EXISTING UTI:
Cranberry & Buchu Concentrate - interferes with adhesion of bacteria to urinary tract, creates an unfriendly pH for bacterial growth
Marshmallow (herb) - soothes spasms, cramps and bleeding
Corn Silk - Lines the urinary tract with silk, which forms a barrier against bacteria
Bifidophilus - strengthens good bacteria
Silver Shield - orally and externally, wiping the area with a saturated cotton ball

PREVENTION:
A product called Urinary Maintenance

I buy all of this stuff at www.AllNatural4life.com because it's 40% less expensive than retail, but you can find it at health stores that sell Nature's Sunshine brand.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B.! I had surgery to have my urethra enlarged when I was 2 or 3 but still had them ALL the time growing up and as an adult as well. I am also surprised they haven't put you on a daily "preventative" treatment.I was diagnosed with nephritis(sp?) which is a kidney condition from having the infections so often and then being so bad. They went from urinary tract to kidney infections almost immediatly for me. (which meant that 1st uncomfortable pee when you say oh no here it comes...to blood in my urine on the next pee) I wonder if you should be seeing a nephrologist instead of a urologist??? That's who I have always delt with.Now, here's the personal questions...and I'm sure you have answered these a million times but who knows? Do you AlWAYS pee right before having sex? Do you ALWAYS pee right AFTER heving sex...and I mean not laying there for more than a couple minutes? How often are you on top? I know, pretty personal but that will cause them worse than any other position!You aren't a child so we don't have to mention wiping the right direction but NEVER use bubble bath and if you do bathe instead of shower; always rinse w/clean water down there! Also, as busy moms we find ourselves needing to pee and holding it because we are too busy! Never do that and when you go, sit there and let those muscles relax for a minute after you pee; lot's of times you will actually pee again! That's because there is still urine that needs to come out but when you "shut it off" and wipe it goes back up.It's called urinary reflux or something close to that and it's very common in women and will cause infections too.Sorry this is so long but I feel your pain and do have experience with these terrible things! Keep lots of water and cranberry juice around too.I do still have a Coke zero each day I just have plenty of the other too! Good luck!Oh, and let me throw this in... I think the pharmacies do a pretty good job now days letting you know about drug interactions but years ago they didn't and most drs don't for some odd reason! I was on birth control pills and NEVER missed 1 but cipro counteracts birth control so be aware of that! I have a 15 year old to prove it! :)

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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

B.,

I'm surprised that by now they haven't put you on a prophylactic antibiotic. I had problems with UTI's for a short while in my life & they put me on antibiotics to take every time before intimacy (it was related to that). No more problems:)

Good luck!

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D.F.

answers from Dallas on

I have been dealing with this my whole life too! I had my ureters fixed because of reflux at 18 months. I always thought I had bladder infections over and over but then I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis. This is the thining of the lining in your bladder causing intense pain. This goes undiagnosed all of the time. Any slight irregularity like a slight infection or drinking too much acid - cokes and juices can send you into a frenzy with pain. Check with your dr. It has changed my life!!!!! There is medication for it to rebuild the lining and help with pain. Hope you find a solution - I know how you feel - so depressing. But keep asking and looking - pressure your docs to help!!

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D.K.

answers from Dallas on

I had the same thing going on for about 20 years of my life. What finally worked for me was when I feel an infection coming on, I drink about a 1/2 gallon of water and a 1/2 gallon of cranberry juice in about an hour and then keep drinking until it goes away. That works about 90% of the time for me. The doctors never did figure it out. It did help to change to new meds to get rid of them once I got them, though. Don't take the same meds over and over again because your germs get resistant.

D. Kimbriel
Grandma to 2 beautiful boys

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