topic Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI in Wellness

SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

pdlinda — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 18:50:01 GMT

My annual labs came back showing I may have a UTI. I will discuss with my PCP tomorrow. I've never had a UTI before now (if, indeed I have one).

I have no symptoms whatsoever and go to enormous effort to keep my gut flora balanced and healthy.

Because of my otherwise good health and the lengths I take to maintain it, I am VERY HESITANT to start a course of antibiotics as I know it will kill all my GOOD GUT BACTERIA along with the bad (UTI).

Any suggestions for alternative treatments for UTI's.

Thank you!!

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

m0rgan — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:00:50 GMT

I take a daily cranberry capsule to prevent UTI's but if you have a UTI I don't think you can get rid of it without antibiotics. I am not in the medical field though so maybe someone else will have a solution. Good luck

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:02:30 GMT

If it were me, I'd start taking garlic (kyolic) and look into which essential oils would be helpful. I'm sure there are more options and hopefully others will post what they might be.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:09:07 GMT

Also

- cranberry juice

- homeopathic - urtica urens (boiron) not sure which strength - do not keep around electronics and take 1 hr bef/after eating, drinking flavored things, brushing teeth, etc.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

Kachina624 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:09:54 GMT

@pdlinda. I'd ask to be retested. When you have a UTI, you definitely know it.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

SilleeMee — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:17:10 GMT

Ask your doctor to have another UA done to check for bacteria in the urine. If or when you take antibiotics to treat the UTI, you might want to take a probiotic supp and add more fiber to your diet.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

pdlinda — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:18:03 GMT

@Kachina624 THANK YOU! I'm so glad I posted this. I have ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS! I will discuss with PCP tomorrow. Again, THANK YOU!!

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

pdlinda — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:20:17 GMT

@SilleeMee Yes, there was bacteria in the sample, but I may not have done the sample properly. I take probiotics daily and have plenty of fiber in my diet. I will ask for a repeat test after reviewing with my doctor. Thank you.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

SilleeMee — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:23:00 GMT

@pdlinda

Sounds good. A fresh 'clean catch' sample of urine is the one to be tested. Not an old sample from the night before or one you put in a fridge.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

bikerbabe — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:43:04 GMT

Certainly get retested if you have concerns about the validity of the first sample.

An FYI, I don’t know your age, but it’s not uncommon for seniors to have a UTI and be largely asymptomatic - none of he classic symptoms of fever, pain or burning, increased frequency of urination.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:44:41 GMT

@pdlinda wrote:
My annual labs came back showing I may have a UTI. I will discuss with my PCP tomorrow. I've never had a UTI before now (if, indeed I have one).

I have no symptoms whatsoever and go to enormous effort to keep my gut flora balanced and healthy.

Because of my otherwise good health and the lengths I take to maintain it, I am VERY HESITANT to start a course of antibiotics as I know it will kill all my GOOD GUT BACTERIA along with the bad (UTI).

Any suggestions for alternative treatments for UTI's.

Thank you!!

@pdlinda

Antibiotics are prescribed for a very good reason, and while there might be "alternatives", it's easy to replenish gut bacteria, which is always changing, anyway.

Just curious .... just HOW do you determine how "balanced and healthy" your gut flora is on any given day?

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

Kachina624 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:47:28 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@pdlinda
Sounds good. A fresh 'clean catch' sample of urine is the one to be tested. Not an old sample from the night before or one you put in a fridge.

@SilleeMee. @pdlinda. This test seems to be pretty wonky with plenty of false results. I've had trouble with it too.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

on the bay — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:12:00 GMT

@pdlinda,

Some person on here awhile ago, mentioned D-Mannose an over the counter supplement to treat and prevent UTI's. I'd never heard of it but my dr had and she said yes I could try that. It is reported to be just as effective as some UTI's but probably not all.

Plus there are specific tests to determine if it is a uti, and different antibiotics to treat so yes, I think you've got the right idea to ask your dr to actually test for a UTI,

I do have D-Mannose now and use it and it did clear up one I had. You can read about it and of course ask your dr what they think and if it is right for you.

And yes cranberry juice is good

but can also increase potential for kidney stones so moderation (or not at all).

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

KathyM23 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:16:25 GMT

@pdlinda @Kachina624 @SilleeMee I would definitely ask to be retested. I spent an entire summer sick one year as a result of false lab reading and antibiotics I did not need. I do have issues with allergies and side effects with most antibiodics. Long story about correct way to give a sample and doctor prescribing meds for the side effects. Was a terrible summer for no reason.

Changed primary care doctor as a result and saw a very good, kind gyn doc. Told me I did not have UTI, did have irritation from all the meds and to do sitz baths. Finally got "cured" of my questionable UTI that never was.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

pdlinda — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:19:39 GMT

@bikerbabe Yes, I am a senior!! Thank you for that info that I didn't have before...

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

pdlinda — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:23:30 GMT

@KathyM23 Thank you for sharing your experience. That's why I posted on this forum! I now have a LOT of info I didn't have before so I can more intelligently talk to my doctor.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

pdlinda — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:27:22 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 I have had IBS (mixed type) for 35 years so I can tell on any given day how my digestive system is working due to various circumstances that confront me and my gut.

I take probiotics, enzymes and HCL with pepsin to manage my gut flora. I also eat as many probiotic foods, like sauerkraut each day as I can and have a pristine whole food diet.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 19:38:32 GMT

@pdlinda I'm currently treating my second UTI in six weeks! Prior to the one in November, it had probably been 20 yrs since I had one. The current one sent me to the ER during the wee hours yesterday morning. The ER doc recommended a CT scan due to me having two so close together, which I agreed to. The scan revealed something on one of my kidneys, but we aren't sure what, at the moment. I'm meeting with my NP next week. I'll be done with my antibiotic by then so she may want another CT to compare. Otherwise I'll be seeing a urologist and a nephrologist, to get to the bottom of things. I'm praying it's nothing serious. 🙏

Be VERY grateful that you don't have any symptoms - they're horrible. There are mixed opinions on the use of cranberry juice. Some medical professionals believe that the sugar in the cranberry juice feeds the bacteria. If you're considering that, it might be best to get a sugar free supplement. There are also Urinary Tract Support Supplements you may want to check out. The cranberry and UT supplements WILL NOT cure an active infection. These are for support once the infection is cleared up. Once I'm over this and have seen all the recommended docs, I plan to start a UT support of some kind - haven't decided which one yet.

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

OneHappyHiker — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:44:54 GMT

@pdlinda @bikerbabe @on the bay All said here. I never had a UTI either, until one day I did lol. My symptoms were nonexistent. I asked to have a retest, confirmed again. I chose to use antibiotics because I knew it would zap the infection and not allow it to further travel up to my kidneys which can happen. I remember they used an older antibiotic that had been around for decades. During the antibiotic usage, I used probiotics as recommended on the label, and never had any disruption to my digestive system.

During that time, I went to my local health store to see what could help prevent one in the future since that was my first (and last so far knock wood) UTI. We are now talking 20 years ago. The gal helping me out said her sister used to suffer frequent UTI's until she discovered D-Mannose. I grabbed a bottle and began using it (after checking with my doctor) as a preventive, not a cure, as I was already on antibiotics as mentioned. She also said her grandma in a nursing facility takes it daily because as one ages, she said her doctor explained you can't count on the usual symptoms of pain/burning/frequency/etc. because many older people simply do not get those symptoms. She also said many of her grandma's friends in the nursing home also take D-Mannose daily for prevention. I found that fascinating, and my doctor said she has many patients doing the same - not just older patients - using it to prevent infections.

After researching how it actually works, which I found fascinating because the way it works is different than cranberry juice, I found Solaray CranActin D-Mannose 1000mg per 2 caps, included in the caps 400mg Cranberry as their CranActin to be my daily dose. I take one with breakfast and one with lunch as the 2 caps per day, but the others I spoke with who also take it say they take both caps at once per day as a boost of D-Mannose.

I read through Uqora's website because they use different amounts of D-Mannose for UTI prevention or flushing or cure. I've read stories where people who frequently get them due to staying in workout clothes too long, or say swimsuits, etc. use a higher dose of D-Mannose as a "flush". It was an interesting read anyway lol.

Since I know you will get retested from your replies here, I wish you good luck and hopefully you will find your best answer. For me, I didn't want to mess with a UTI travelling into my kidneys since I didn't even know I had a UTI to begin with. Funny thing though, a couple of days after I started taking the antibiotics, I felt like I had more energy. So I bet had I had my yearly a couple days later, I would have become symptomatic, it was just beginning. To the naked eye, the urine looked fine! Take care and stay well!

Re: SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTICS FOR POSSIBLE UTI

HerRoyaLioness — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:49:19 GMT

If your UA showed something, they will usually do a urine culture and if that grows anything, you would need antibiotics to treat it.
The type of antibiotic would depend on what the culture grew out.
You need to ask your dr if they did a culture and what it showed