topic Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS in Wellness

CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

viva923 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:56:49 GMT

I have had UTI's over the years but they have become more constant and now it seems like I get over 1 UTI and back down with another within a week.

I am on antibiotics again for another week.

I drink at least 4 bottles of 16.9 oz water daily

do not smoke-OR drink, do drink 1 glass of milk daily and i do drink 8oz cranberry juice daily. My urologist has me on 3x's a week Estrodol vaginal cream

Dr. now wants to begin the regiment of Methenamine (brand name is ?? can't think of it) daily dose of antibotics low dose.

Has anyone ever been on Methenamine ?? What are the side effects just want to be prepared.

thanks for any help on this one.

I am under the care of Urologist doctor. Just got over hemmoragic cystist now down with another UTI within 1 week

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

skatting44 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:30:59 GMT

I'd be looking at various culprits that can cause UTI.

Look at what you can change in your routines.

Do you drink enough water, ect

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

Still Raining — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:32:36 GMT

For me, I would ask myself which is worse? Trial of a drug or ongoing, known, problems.

I am sure your doctor is experienced in all this. For sure you can always quit a drug.

Hope you find relief. UTIs are the worst.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

I am still oxox — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:38:17 GMT

D Manose it supposed to make your bladder slippery and therefore not allowing bacteria to stick to it

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

ciao_bella — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 17:15:42 GMT

@viva923 If I might suggest, if you're experiencing recurring or chronic UTIs and your current doctor isn't finding the cause to resolve it, it's probably time to see a nephrologist. A nephrologist will be better able to pinpoint the problem. Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

jlkz — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:45:43 GMT

@viva923

Urologist or Nephrologist: bladder or kidney

Ask your doctor for a recommendation or referral since the doctor has been treating you for a while and may consider one a better choice for you.

When I googled the medication you noted, all it said for side effects was it helped make the bladder slippery so bacteria didn't stick to it.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

Trinity11 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:49:37 GMT

@viva923 wrote:
I have had UTI's over the years but they have become more constant and now it seems like I get over 1 UTI and back down with another within a week.
I am on antibiotics again for another week.
I drink at least 4 bottles of 16.9 oz water daily
do not smoke-OR drink, do drink 1 glass of milk daily and i do drink 8oz cranberry juice daily

Dr. now wants to begin the regiment of Methenamine (brand name is ?? can't think of it) daily dose of antibotics low dose.

Has anyone ever been on Methenamine ?? What are the side effects just want to be prepared.

thanks for any help on this one.

Are you having cultures done each and every time you have an infection? If so your bladder may be colonized with one particular bacteria. Also if you are not getting cultures, you may have a condition called interstitial cystitis.

Have you had your blood sugar tested? Even pre-diabetes can present with frequent uti's. Also see a urologist where tests can be done to rule out other conditions.

As a Type 1 diabetic I am familiar with both interstitial cystitis and frequent infections. I have both an infectious disease specialist and a urologist...over 30 years. I have taken prophylactic antibiotics but I needed to get to the root of the problem and for myself, they did not work once stopped. I took Macrobid @viva923 .

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

Auntiemay — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:48:47 GMT

If you are peri or post menopausal, the treatment for chronic UTI's is Estradiol cream applied as directed by a gynecologist. . Please Google post menopausal treatment of UTI's. It's a common problem for women and antibiotics are prescribed way too often and don't work if this is caused by decreased estrogen and vaginal atrophy. You don't have to suffer! Some docs are very aware and some are not! Good luck.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

RetRN — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 14:54:34 GMT

If there are any female urologists in your area I would schedule an appointment. They have helped some women I know with your situation.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

viva923 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:08:32 GMT

Trinity11

I have yearly tests (blood work up's) done yearly and my blood sugars always come back within range . My husband is a type 2 diabetic (has been for years)

My pcp doctor says I have interstial cystist.

I just began seeing this urologist in Jan 2024- I like her and she seems knowledgeable. I was just put on Macrobid for this latest UTI. All the other infections have been treated by Nurse Practictioners and Ceflexion was choice of treatment for quite a few UTI over the past few months. I was on Macrobid many years ago for a bunch of UTI's then all of sudden I was put on this Ceflexion because I was told this was the only antibotics that could treat this UTI I had, so I took what i was told.

I did not spell some of the antibotics correctly-hope you can figure out what meds I am talking about.

This new urologist sent me a message via the portal last night about this daily dose of low dose antibotics because of the UTI's I have had over the past 6 months. She put me back on Macrobid. I can NOT start anything till a week after I am off Macrobid-I have to have another urine test run (with all the special cultures) and then she told me we will decide what to do next.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

LindaSal — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:09:20 GMT

I was also taking Macrobid as a preventive for a few years, but my issues with UTI's was years ago, in my 20' and 30's. Now I only get them once in a while. I no longer need the medication and I try to be extra careful to help myself avoid them as they can be miserable!

I hope you feel better soon @viva923

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

KittySoftPaws — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:20:36 GMT

@viva923 Start taking D-Mannose daily, next is biodentical hormones which you say you are on. I can't comment on just useing estrogen, as just useing estrogen is not the answer because it needs balancing with other hormones or you will become estrogen dominant and create other problems. Can work in the short term, but you need long term results, not a temporary fix. Drink lots of water too. I used to get UTI's, then I started taking D-Mannose and once on the hormones, I haven't had one in 5 years. It is one of the many things that can frequently happen when we lose our hormones with age. IMO and based on my own personal experience.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

Trinity11 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:24:57 GMT

@viva923 wrote:
Trinity11
I have yearly tests (blood work up's) done yearly and my blood sugars always come back within range . My husband is a type 2 diabetic (has been for years)

My pcp doctor says I have interstial cystist.

I just began seeing this urologist in Jan 2024- I like her and she seems knowledgeable. I was just put on Macrobid for this latest UTI. All the other infections have been treated by Nurse Practictioners and Ceflexion was choice of treatment for quite a few UTI over the past few months. I was on Macrobid many years ago for a bunch of UTI's then all of sudden I was put on this Ceflexion because I was told this was the only antibotics that could treat this UTI I had, so I took what i was told.

I did not spell some of the antibotics correctly-hope you can figure out what meds I am talking about.

This new urologist sent me a message via the portal last night about this daily dose of low dose antibotics because of the UTI's I have had over the past 6 months. She put me back on Macrobid. I can NOT start anything till a week after I am off Macrobid-I have to have another urine test run (with all the special cultures) and then she told me we will decide what to do next.

If you have interstitial cystitis, did you have a cystoscopy? Hunner's ulcers? Because that condition is not dependent on bacteria and antibiotics won't help.

If your cultures come back bacteria positive, what bacteria keeps infecting your bladder? I frequently tested positive for klebsiella pneumonia. I still get it a few times a year and take Ceftin as I am allergic to Cipro and Levaquin. Macrobid does nothing for my infections. Cephalexin is typed to Klebsiella infections. Ask your urologist if this is what you are dealing with as it is very difficult to eradicate @viva923 .

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

missy mouse — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:39:00 GMT

Are your urine tests all coming back positive for bacteria. Have they sent the urine to the lab to spin it down and see which bacteria is present and give you the correct antibiotic for that particular bacteria. I don't know your age but there is a condition called interstitial cystitis. It feels like a UTI but no bacteria is present. I've had it for 30 years. It took me 7 urologists to get diagnosed. Maybe a second opinion is needed.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

Love my grandkids — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:45:00 GMT

@skatting44 Re-read her post. She drinks a LOT of water, likely more than enough.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

PinkyPetunia — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:55:49 GMT

I get a UTI maybe once a year. I have heard it helps to wash/irrigate the area after a BMovement with a spray water bottle like we were given after childbirth. It washes bacteria away from the urethra.

I ordered some bottles from ebay and have started to do this. An easy thing to do and it makes sense.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

Shelbelle — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:09:15 GMT

@PinkyPetunia wrote:
I get a UTI maybe once a year. I have heard it helps to wash/irrigate the area after a BMovement with a spray water bottle like we were given after childbirth. It washes bacteria away from the urethra.

I ordered some bottles from ebay and have started to do this. An easy thing to do and it makes sense.

Also, without TMI, if you are se*ually active very important to empty your bladder immediately after activity and to clean the area.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

kittycatmeow — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:19:20 GMT

@viva923 wrote:
I have had UTI's over the years but they have become more constant and now it seems like I get over 1 UTI and back down with another within a week.
I am on antibiotics again for another week.
I drink at least 4 bottles of 16.9 oz water daily
do not smoke-OR drink, do drink 1 glass of milk daily and i do drink 8oz cranberry juice daily. My urologist has me on 3x's a week Estrodol vaginal cream

Dr. now wants to begin the regiment of Methenamine (brand name is ?? can't think of it) daily dose of antibotics low dose.

Has anyone ever been on Methenamine ?? What are the side effects just want to be prepared.

thanks for any help on this one.

I am under the care of Urologist doctor. Just got over hemmoragic cystist now down with another UTI within 1 week

Has the Urologist texted you for Intestinal Cystitis a/k/a Painful Bladder Syndrome? It mimics UTI's but there is no infection, its not curable, antibiotics don't work (because there's no infection) and cranberry juice/supplements make it worse. It is diagnosed by a medical procedure done in the hospital under general anesthesia performed by the Urologist.

I have a similar story to yours where I was getting repeated UTI's that seemed to clear up after antibiotics only for the cycle to begin again and again. These episodes were particularly painful during my period, where I'd actually feel nauseous from the pain. In 2016, it was getting progressivly worse, so I did my own medical research and set an appointment with a female Urologist. I had the above medical procedure and was diagnosed with Interstitial Cyststitis with ulcers on my bladder (which is normal with IC). I also found out that I have a very small bladder during this procedure.

The only medication that works for me is Pyridium, the medical dose prescribed by the Urolologist/Doctor, not what you may find over the counter. The downside of this medication is it turns your urine orange, so it can be messy when it gets on the toilet, undies, etc.

IC is often overlooked as a UTI, especially if the Urolologist is male. In my area, there are only two female Urolologist's, so I was very lucky to get one.

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

cindyNC — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:31:22 GMT

Your doctor probably knows best but how frustrating for you. Did you ever ask what was in the urine culture?

Re: CONSTANT UTI INFECTIONS

Tag2020 — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 17:00:31 GMT

What are the bottles that you purchased?