Severe Utis Every Couple Months

Updated on April 10, 2007
J.B. asks from Omaha, NE
22 answers

I need some information please. I have been getting UTI (urinary tract infections) for 3 years now nearly evry month to two months. I get them to the point of blood in my urine, no sleep from the pain. I have been going to the doctor and they prescribe meds and want me to see a specialist. I also do evrything in my power naturally before i go get the meds. The problem is I keep getting them. And i do not have insurance...I do not qualify for medicaid because financially were right on the line. So we cant afford to pay for doctors visits. I need to do something, im worried about my health, my kidneys and we want more children, wevere been trying for a year and nothing. SO i wonder if its connected. I need any advice to get me to the right place!
paz
J

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much for all the responses, keep them comeing...I will tell you what I have tried...cranberry juice yes, clears them up, but doesnt keep me from getting them, peeing after sex, front to back, low caffiene, I feel like ive tried everything. But they keep coming back, im worries about the effect on my kidneys and such....
anyways, thanks for all the responses so far, I truly appreciate it!

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C.H.

answers from Des Moines on

I was having this problem for years and they started when I was young. Really young actually. I went to the dr everytime. They would give me diffent meds and every few months I would get hospitalized. Finally my mom made the suggestion that I go and see an OB/GYN and explain to them all the UTIs I was getting she actually thought it was something she could help with. She put me on a low hormone birth control pill even though at the time I didnt need them. They really did help with the UTIs. Along with the pills drinking plenty of water and cranberry juice daily really helped. When I decided to get pregnant I went back to the GYN and told her. She suggested that I eat yougart daily. It helps clear up UTIs but will also help prevent them. I also started prenatals right away too and between all of those things I hardly got any UTIs. There is also a pill called AZO I believe that you can start taking at the first sign of a UTI. IT is an over the counter pill and are really affordable. I would talk to a dr though if you do become pregnant because I cant remember if you can take them when you are pregnant, I havent had a UTI in so long. I hope this will help you. Good luck

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E.S.

answers from Boise on

what about externally? I know my girls and I all have a problem with bubble baths and some soaps causing things like that. I tell my girls not to wash with soap (I mean it's not like they get "dirty" there), and I avoid any scented bubblebaths and things, also I'm very careful about fabric softener (underwear). I don't know if you've already tried this, but it's a thought.

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J.H.

answers from Omaha on

I also get UTI's quite often. My doctor prescibed a low dose antibiotic to take after sex and this has helped. Also, if you go to the bathroom afterward, but this may not be good for trying to get pregnant. The best thing that you can do is drink lots of water and I also take cranberry pills that I think really help. I was advised to see a uroligist but I would rather not. I think that this is a common problem with woman but I never have had blood in my urine, I would be a little more concerned if you continue to have blood.

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M.L.

answers from Lincoln on

I have had the same problem. Have you tried cranberry tablets? They are supposed to help your urinary tract. they helped me alot but i still get them from time to time. Drink LOTS of water!!! Good luck

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R.A.

answers from Boise on

For pain, there is over-the-counter medicine called Uristat you can get. They won't cure the UTI, but they will take away the burning and the urge to go pee. They also have an effect of turning your pee bright orange, so don't be alarmed. They are a lifesaver. You can find them in the feminine hygene section of the store.

After I had my first daughter, I was plagued with UTI's. I had a bad habit of drinking far too much soda and not enough water. Now I have to monitor how much water I drink or I know I will get one again. I also incorporated drinking straight cranberry juice -not the mixed fruit kind, just pure cranberry. If you hate the taste of cranberry juice, you can take cranberry herbal supplements instead. I've found the more water I drink, the less "false alarms" I have, and the less it burns.

I've had doctors suggest that if I keep getting them, I could see a specialist, however as long as i drink enough water I seem to be doing okay. The moment I can tell that i'm getting one, I drink several glasses of water. Sometimes I get lucky and it prevents it from happening.

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C.S.

answers from Omaha on

J.-

My friend used to be the same way, then she discovered that she just needed to make sure she peed after sex. It was so simple for her. Another thing to make sure of is that cranberry juice cocktail will make things worse. It was to be 100% juice. They make inexpensive blends that are still 100% juice at Wal-Mart, and they tast pretty good. Hope this helps!

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G.F.

answers from Omaha on

I used to have reoccurring UTI. They gave me an elimination diet and I found out that I was allergic to saccharin. There were other things on the list like food coloring, chocolate... That's all I can remember. They told me if they wouldn't have found it out that I could have lost a kidney. It is vital that you see if they have that list.

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S.T.

answers from Sioux Falls on

Soap can cause UTI's it backs its way through and can cause the problem switch soaps, wash your underware with dreft or woolite and put them on an extra rinse just to make sure you are getting all the soap out. Of course you wipe front to back :) Cranberry juice is a great way of clearing everything out. Also how long do you wait to use the restroom can cause them also. If you are someone who goes six hours without going that could also be a factor. I had these issues also. I can tell you a 20 min car ride to the ER at 3 am for a UTI is no fun.
As for trying for more children it could also be a factor...use the restroom before and after and have him clean up a bit before.

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J.N.

answers from Missoula on

There has been a coorelation between increased sexual activity and UTIs. The activity and all that it includes will alter the pH of the bladder and who area. There are a few things that can be done to help lessen the chance and severity of UTIs. I used to get them every 3-4 months and these are all the things my midwife prescribed/advised.

After sex, go to the bathroom and pee...everytime. Then clean yourself with soap and water. Cuddle time will wait.

When you feel the onset of an UTI, increase your Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid/Citric Acid level intake. There are cranberry pills, such as Cran Assure, that are excellent to take everyday. Drinking Cranberry juice and orange juice are also great. No grape/apple/berry juice. There is too much sugar and not enough citric acid in those. Your best bet is the 100% Ocean Spray cranberry. Taking a double or tiple dose of Vitamin C will also help. This increase the pH level of the urine. It makes for an inhospitible environment for the bateria. Be careful though, to much Vitamin C can lead to canker sores (atleast in me), and I have found that a B-complex vitamin take in conjunction with everything will lessen that.

Avoid products with excess sugar and caffienne. That means no soda or coffee. Avoid chocolate also. Also, avoid spicy food that contain irritants, such as cpasasin in peppers, while you are suffering from the UTI. Another key here is water, water, water, water! Don't let yourself become dehydrated. Water will help flush the system and the bladder out.

Eat yogurt! Atleast 4 oz to 1 cup a day. The more cultures in the yogurt the better (Dan-Active, Activia, Oh Soy are a few). Probiotics may seem like a new fad, but the "good bateria" will help maintain your system and keep the "bad bacteria" at bay.

For the pain, there are OTC remedies called Azo Standard and Uristat. They are found in the femine hygeine isle. They are the same things that the Drs prescribe for the pain associated with a UTI. A fair warning though, they will turn your urine a BRIGHT orange.

I hope that you can find these hints helpful. They saved me from misery on many occasions.

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T.M.

answers from Rapid City on

Hi J.:

First thing that pops into my head is all the antibiotics the doctors have given you because of the UTIs. I used to get them often too and the pills are HORRIBLE for you. First thing I would do is do a candida cleanse. What candida is is an overgrowth of yeast in your body. I did a cleanse last year and it changed my life. After I did the cleanse I started taking some very good vitamins and some other supplements to keep my good yeast in check. The products are excellent and I give so much credit to the company for changing my whole health. The cleanse is the first step. I went through this website: www.debrasimon.com Check out her assessment and see if any apply to you. The products she sells are a bit spendy but it's so well worth the effort and money. I do not represent the company in any way but just know how much it helped me. Having an overgrowth of yeast is bad in SO many ways.
I represent a company that is a health and wellness company and I advertise for them because I'm such a satisfied customer.
If you want more information on their products, you can email me and I'll get you the info.
My personal email is: ____@____.com
My website is more for the business but here it is:
http://tinamccomb.stayinhomeandlovinit.com go to "get more info" and I will personally call you and visit with you.
God bless you, J.!!
T.

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J.M.

answers from Seattle on

Hi! I used to have the same problem. My doctor prescribed me microbid to take on a daily bases once a day. That helped. And now it's I may only get it once in a while. I heard from a friend that maybe it could be your partner that's causing you do have an infection. Maybe he should get checked and see if he also has an infection. Hope you get better.

Jhovielyn

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B.W.

answers from Des Moines on

I suffered from from UTIs every 3 months for about a year, but have been UTI free for over a year now. I went to see a specialist though. He just perscribed me meds that I could take whenever I felt one comming on. I only did that for about 6 months and haven't taken any for about 8. It was almost as though I wasn't becoming completly free of the infection before and by taking them longer it cleaned out more. Then after I felt that I got control over them I'll periodically just take a cool, wet, clean cloth to myself before bed or after I change into my p.j.s. But I don't know if the blood in the urine is okay, I never had that and that could be more serious, it could mean that it's gone to your kidneys, but I'm no doctor. Also, I have heard that males can simply carry the infection without being effected by it, so maybe have your husband checked out too.

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G.M.

answers from Pocatello on

I know one thing my obgyn said to do after sex to prevent UTI's is to go to the bathroom....try and pee a little and it helps clean things away. So far it has worked for me....it can sometimes take the romance out a little, but I would just excuse yourself after a few minutes of cuddling.

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S.O.

answers from Sioux City on

You need to pick up the current copy of Woman's Day magazine. (The one with all the yummy looking chocolate on the cover. :)
It has an article that sounds very much like you. The initials for the condition are IC and the C stands for Cyctisis I believe. The gal in there sounds JUST like what you are describing.

I hope you get it figured out!

S. O

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L.B.

answers from Sioux Falls on

start drinking lots of cranberry juice, my mom, who is an RN, says that clears out the urinary tract. It wont cure it if you have one 100%, but it can help prevent them. Feel free to ask your doctor about it, if you are uncomfortable trying something first. Good Luck!

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J.O.

answers from Omaha on

you could have something called interstitial cystitis. it is chronic inflammation of the lining of your bladder and usually the short course of antibiotics for a typical UTI won't clear it up. i totally understand the insurance issue, but you do really need it checked out. there are two clinics in omaha that might be able to help you, i know they have financial people that can do a sliding scale billing based on your income, or put you on a payment plan. i would try the internal medicine clinic associated with UNMC at turner park ###-###-####, and they do take walk-ins). the other is one world clinic affiliated with creighton ###-###-####)
good luck!

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A.D.

answers from Omaha on

Jamie,
I had several UTI's when I was pregnant. I talked with a friend of mine and she said to drink cranberry juice. Now I don't care for cranberry juice so you can eat dried cranberries, or buy capsules from the pharmacy department. Also she suggested eating rice. So I did these two things and they went away. So now I make sure to include rice in my diet several times a week. I hope you get to feeling better.
A.

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Y.E.

answers from Billings on

A friend of mine had the same problem only she was getting UTI's every month, right along with her period. Finally when to a specialist and now she needs to have a hysterectomy. I would definetly look into it more.

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

I've heard that eating yogurt and cranberry juice can help clear UTI's up pretty fast. The only other thing I can suggest is get antibiotics and take the full ammount. Otherwise, the infection never really goes away and flares every few weeks.
I had the same thing and going natural helped a little but I really needed the meds. Good Luck!!!

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J.N.

answers from Omaha on

I know you said you dont have insurance- My friend was in the same boat. I know there are places that have sliding fee scales and so forth- or like free days if your income allows. Maybe try sourcing stuff like that?!?! If you do end up going to the doctor- I had the same problem a great Medicine for them (which wiped mine totally!!!) Was Leviquin. Its a strong med, but taken for 7 days (once a day) it was gone.I was hospitalized due to not going to the doctor- the infection traveled up into my kidneys and they were going to shut down if not taken care of. You dont want to jeperadize that!!! Hang in there..

Also I know over the counter I was told to take AZO cranberry tablets daily!!! Even if I didnt have one wiht cranberry juice!

A sign that your kidneys are getting into trouble is that they are super tender to the touch- they are sore like almost on your sides of your back- lower region. Just a heads up.

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R.K.

answers from Fargo on

I & several other people I know have had great success with the Shaklee Optiflora. This is similar to acidophilous, but way better. Normal a. hasn't worked the way Optiflora has for us.
Let me know if you want more info on this product.

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D.W.

answers from Billings on

As I was reading this I realized that I haven't had a UTI for about seven months now. It is amazing that I didn't notice how long it has been before reading your story. Seven months ago I switched all of my household products including my personal shower products to chemical free products. My laundry products are also chemical free. I can't tell you for sure that this is the reason, however it may be worth looking into. The company I purchase these products from also have a three berry supplement for urinary tract health. I would be happy to share this information with you if you would like. Just let me know! :)

D.
____@____.com

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