UTI/bladder -help needed

[dementedma]

Have had persistent UTIs for about 10 months now, following (maybe coincidentally an attack of BV). Have pretty much been on permanent ABs since before Christmas, even though they make me feel sick. Was referred to urology at hospital and they were going to do a bladder wash and put a camera up, but at the time of appointment they wouldn't do it as I had a urine infection! I always have one!!!!! Have a lot of lower abdominal/pelvic pain, ABs are triggering thrush...am so fed up. Waiting for another hospital appt but the same thing will happen again as the infection never clears up!

[PollyPerky]

Look at the website of the COB Foundation. You might not have any infection- are the samples showing any bacteria?

You could have Painful Bladder Syndrome. If you have, then you should follow the diet which means cutting out all irritating drinks and foods. This includes all caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks, fruit juices, tomatoes, oranges, citrus foods and spicy foods.

Doing this will help your bladder calm down. Drink only water for a while, make sure you are not infecting yourself by following hygiene measures etc and ask if your urine samples are showing any bugs. If not, stop the ABs.

[dementedma]

The samples show e-coli every time.....I will check out the COB foundation though. Thanks

[PollyPerky]

Are you following the hygiene measures- do you understand what these are?

[dementedma]

Erm I think so! Wipe front to back?

[PollyPerky]

and the rest...:) If applicable...


use moist loo paper too ( you might think you are clean till you see what's left on moist tissue!)
both partners wash before sex
you pee within 5 minutes of it being over
(and pee before too- no full bladder for sex but drink some water so you can pee afterwards)
no thongs that 'massage' bacteria into your front bits
If over 45 think about vaginal dryness and atrophy which makes it easier for infections to take a hold because the urethra and bladder are oestrogen- sensitive too for health and low oestrogen makes them drier.

[PollyPerky]

by 'moist' I mean those packs of wipes for bums!

[Hooleywhipper]

I would advise not eating or drinking anything with citric acid in,this is from experience. Although for me after a few months no infection showing but I had the symptoms still.

[dementedma]

The thought of my arse in a thong is truly terrifying
Am on HRT and think this is a factor but I had heard it could help with UTIs which was one of the reasons I went on to it. I have ordered some D-mannose which I have found to be useful in the past. Thanks for all the advice.

[PollyPerky]

Ahhhh! If you are on HRT, are you also using vaginal oestrogen? If not, ask your GP for some pronto! There is a lot of very sound research showing that it helps enormously with your symptoms. Using systemic HRT doesn't cut the mustard for many women- 1:4 use vaginal oestrogen as well as 'other' HRT. Your dr can prescribe Vagifem (tiny pessary) or Ovestin (cream). Both are used for 14 days every day then twice a week- for life. Even old ladies use it for the same reasons. It really should help.

[PollyPerky]

Look at this emedicine.medscape.com/article/1958794-overview under 'Medications'.

[dementedma]

No, I'm not Polly. I mentioned it at my last appointment and she wanted to wait until the hospital had ruled out anything else first. Thanks. I'll ask for it now!