Cystitis getting me down :(

[hopeful92]

I have had recurrent cystitis since I was a child, and it has only got worse with pregnancy. I am 11+3 and already have had 3 bouts of cystitis lasting about 3 days each (flushed out with massive amounts of water, I have become an expert at getting rid).

Problem is, it is getting me really down constantly battling these symptoms. Not wanting to touch antibiotics as I would be on them a lot and that's not great in pregnancy. I've tried drinking a glass of sugar free cranbery juice every morning (sugar makes it so much worse for me) I have even tried cranberry tablets daily but nothing kees it at bay. I can't have the sachets I normally drink to ease symptoms as they are unsuitable for pregnant women.

HELP!! it's really getting me down :(

[Fosterangel]

Have you tried squeezing freshly squeezed lemon juice into a warm mug of water with some manuka honey every day at regular intervals even when you do not have symptoms. The lemon is not acidic when it passes through your body and has a mildly antibiotic effect as does the manuka honey (so does garlic so it could ease symptoms if you could step up your garlic intake).
I expect you are already careful how you wash, have sex, and remembering to empty your bladder before sleeping. Oh, and do wee often and not wait til you are busting!

What a grotty thing to have when pregnant. I hope you get some good advice and can begin to enjoy your pregnancy symptom free.

Could be a bit of trial and error as to what helps but good luck and hope you find help on MN.

[hopeful92]

Yeah I always pee before and after sex, always pee befoe bed and always go to the toilet when I need to go, never wait til I'm busting. I will try the lemon and honey, does it have to be that specific type of hones? I hate garlic, so that is a no no lol I can't even eat stuff what has garlic in the ingredients it makes me feel sick!

[Pochemuchka]

You poor thing. I had recurrent cystitis from the age of 15 when I went camping until after my 1st pregnancy so I really sympathise.

I read on another thread on here that cranberry juice is actually not good for it. Can't remember why but will try and find the thread to link for you as it had lots of good ideas.

As an aside, I had it lots when I was pregnant with DD - doctors had never found an infection and declared it to be 'physiological'. Luckily, my physiology seems to have changed after having DD and I haven't had a single bout of cystitis since and she's nearly 4.

All the best with your pregnancy :)

[Pochemuchka]

Am on my phone so can't sift through the search results to find it properly but if you type uti or cystitis into a search on here you'll get loads of info - some pregnancy related too.

[Fosterangel]

The manuka honey has an antibiotic factor in it (there are numbers on the jar and I buy the 10+ from Aldi at £3.99 per jar so not as expensive as the main supermarkets). I don't think normal honey has the antibiotic factor in it.

I have not really had much luck with cranberry juice as it has too much sugar in it and you too have found that sugar irritates the bladder. Honey is more natural.
It is worth a try - I think you have to give everything a go and see what works. Sounds like you are doing all the right things with the sex and wee thing. Hope it all goes well for you.

[helebear]

Poor you, cystitis is grim. You might not be 'into it' but acupuncture always helped my cystitis and should be possible when pregnant. Might be worth a try?

[hopeful92]

helebear i have tried accupuncture before for other stuff and unfortunately it doesn't work for me

[helebear]

That's a shame. I think it's one off those things that works for some people & not others. I really hope you find another solution.

[hopeful92]

Thanks. Me too. I'm suffering with another bout at the moment and got my 12 wk scan in an hour so cant pee as need a full bladder - nightmare!!