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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be sick to the back teeth of Urinary Tract Infections

78 replies

StrawberryTot · 03/12/2014 12:54

So basically that Sad

So I'm suffering what must be my 6th or 7th infection this year. I literally have no idea what is causing them. I drink plenty of water, no juice or fizzy pops, switched to decaf coffee, avoid spicy food, wear cotton knickers, don't wear knickers at bed time. You name it I have tried it. Yet I still get them!!!

AIBU to be fed up?

P.S. I'm completely and utterly feeling sorry for myself, I apologise.

OP posts:
WantToGoingTo · 03/12/2014 20:01

Funny story re cleanliness... let's just say that hanky panky is never a good idea after your OH has been cooking with chillis Shock Blush

VenusRising · 03/12/2014 20:03

Sometimes changing the angle of sex can help also. If it's all too much one angle, it can rub and cause swelling!! TMI Grin
Try going on top?

Also second the having a big pee after sex and also getting a bidet, or using a bottle of water /jug to rinse off if you don't fancy a shower.(or use a beaker)

Try condoms for a while to see if it's the acidity of your dp's sperm is irritating your bits.

If the pain comes on really suddenly and you're passing blood, it could be a kidney stone.

redrubyindigo · 03/12/2014 20:12

I spoke to a consultant in UTI's who said cranberry did nothing to help or avoid infections. Look it up.

Hygiene is all important, drink water, all of the above and one piece of advice was to lean forward on the loo and touch your toes to completely empty your bladder.

The old squat toilets are the best way to pee!

Neverknowingly · 03/12/2014 20:29

Also offering sympathy. I hate UTIs. They make my skin crawl and make me feel dirty.

YY to weeing after sex. Also waterfall D mannose worked wonders for me. I used to have lots of infections but after taking these tablets regularly for a while, I've not had one in years.

Mrsbaconandbeans · 03/12/2014 20:46

Is it a uti? I ask that because after two years of antibiotics turned out I had interstitial cystitis instead Sad all the symptoms of a uti but no bacteria in wee. Stopped all antibiotics and now on anti histamine small year round . It's thought it's an auto immune disease and the anti histamine a dampen the reponse. I was told by consultant cranberries were a no no

1charlie1 · 03/12/2014 20:48

Absolutely wee straight after sex. I tend to leap up afterwards and nip to loo - cuddle upon return! Not very romantic, but I've not had a uti since doing this. Used to get them constantly.

kittykathat · 03/12/2014 21:08

My cat constantly got these and it eventually killed him :-(

Nohootingchickenssleeping · 03/12/2014 22:04

Have ordered the D Mannose tablets, not cheap but I'm desperate. I guess time will tell if they work. I'll add it to my list of things I've bought on MN's suggestion.

hiddenhome · 03/12/2014 22:32

You need to cut all coffee and tea. Decaf coffee is still irritating to the bladder.

No citrus fruit either, or fruit juice.

All I can drink is milk or water.

Cranberry can make things worse too due to the acidity.

NewNamePlease · 03/12/2014 23:11

Really sorry to say this OP but it's mostly down to your physical form and how things are positioned downstairs. Some peoples plumbing is just predisposed to getting UTIs.

And some people don't mix well. Swapping DPs might stop them altogether.

Roonerspism · 03/12/2014 23:30

You can also buy dmannose powder.

Whilst I do think some people/families are prone, I don't think it's as clear cut as newname says.

I was plagued by UTIs in my early 20s. I was in a very stressful job, exhausted and my diet wasn't great. I haven't had a UTI in years since sorting out my lifestyle.....

PurpleWithRed · 03/12/2014 23:40

If you are old enough to be anywhere near menopause that could be linked too as your tissues thin. Hrt sorted me out - toughened me up down there, according to the gynaecologist, although weeing after sex, hygiene and the occasional course of antibiotics have helped too.

PetiteRaleuse · 03/12/2014 23:47

Have pm'd you op x

Original poster
StrawberryTot · 04/12/2014 00:47

Thank you everyone for your sympathy, advice and stories. I really appreciate it.

Just to update you all that my urine has been sent to the hospital as it has protein in it. Hopefully the results from that will be back tomorrow and I can get some antibiotics.

Also to answer some questions.
I'm not currently on any form of contraceptive.
I'm 29 so no where near menopause yet (I'm assuming).
Never tried the cranberry tablets but will definitely give them a shot.
As much as I'm trying I'm not sure I'm emptying my bladder as it just cuts off midflow and that's even if I manage to get anything out.
And I'm totally blaming the DP!

Today has been horrendous, I would wear lettuce knickers for the rest of my life if it cured my pain and discomfort today!!! Sad

OP posts:
Tiptops · 04/12/2014 02:38

Yanbu. UTIs are horrible, poor you. I'm prone to them too but most of the things I do to try to avoid them have already been mentioned. Except for weeing in the bath. I know it sounds gross but when I'm in that much pain I'm beyond caring. Make sure the bath water is just plain water though, no bubble bath. Doesn't sting when you wee, and no mad dashes to the loo when the urge happens for the 100th time!

KatieKatie1980 · 04/12/2014 07:18

I can sympathise :( Had them since a child and now 34! I've had all the tests, nothing wrong structurally except scarring on my kidneys from infection. I've done periods on antibiotics to keep them at bay. For me, being run down, poor diet and sex usually set them off! Id ask your gp for a referral to a specialist. Best to rule out any physical causes first. Oh also, I've religiously had 2L+ of water a day since I was 19. Apart from being best friends with the bathroom, it definitely helps me. If I don't drink enough, I really know about it :(

See your gp, ask for referral (I think its urogynaecology off top of my head). x

canyou · 04/12/2014 08:07
Thanks Hmm I always when I finish peeing stand up straight a and then sit down and I pee again, something to do with gravity and pee pooling and collectingShock I find it really hard to drink enough water I hate the stuff esp on cold days I now have a plastic take away style soft drinks cup that I half fill with water and top up with a herbal tea never the fruity ones fingers crossed I am six months clear of infections and kidney stones Grin and 6lbs lighter Yes yes to all the other suggestions as well And never hold on and wait to pee in moments of desperation I have used the DC's potty Confused
hauntedhenry · 04/12/2014 08:19

Ask your GP if your DP needs to be checked out. My SIL had recurrent urine infections and it turned out that BIL needed treatment too, even though he had no symptoms. No probs since!

Mythreeknights · 04/12/2014 11:56

Total sympathies - I also suffered massively in my early twenties, having contracted Bilharzia in Malawi in my gap yah.

However, I did two things which sorted them out - one, I was referred to a specialist to see what was going on (scar tissue etc) and psychologically knowing I was dealing with it, helped.
Secondly, I tried a homeopathic medicine which I now swear by called Urva Ursi - literally bear berry. It comes from canada, and TOTALLY WORKS.! I haven't had cystitis since and when I go abroad, just knowing I have Urva Ursi with me means at first signs of the heat/pain, I can knock it on the head.

Good luck OP

LornaGoon · 04/12/2014 12:12

I feel for you OP. I spent far more time in doctors and hospitals than I would have like due to UTIs and my rubbish bladder.

The pain was so bad with the current one it felt like it was coming in waves like early labor contractions!

I'm on a course of antibiotics right now. Then I'll be taking a decent probiotic to put back some good bacteria.

I don't know what caused it this time, apart from letting my diet slip, skipping meals. Also I've had a couple of cups of coffee lately.

Worksallhours · 04/12/2014 12:36

Tiptops just reminded me of an old technique I used to use when I got a UTI.

I used to get in the bath, water water with nothing in it, and sit there and drink litres of water in the bath -- and, yes, just wee in the bath water. Sometimes, I would stay in the bath for a few hours. No joke. I was just drinking and weeing in the water.

It didn't always work, but sometimes it did flush out enough of the UTI to make it possible for me to actually get to the GP's surgery (yes, my UTIs could get so bad I couldn't actually walk).

mawbroon · 04/12/2014 12:37

I used to be plagued with cystitis when I was in my 20s. I read this book and have never suffered since.

I don't remember all the advice, but peeing after sex and pouring cold water over my bits to reduce swelling and irritation are the pieces of advice that stick in my mind.

Lindsay81 · 04/12/2014 13:57

Yes, you need to go to your doctor and ask for a referral. Like others on here and you, I had them sometimes every month throughout my 20s. I had an operation (can't remember what it was called) that slightly widened the urethra (I think?) to help with proper emptying and I have only had one since then (in over 10 years). I was in and out in one morning.

Doctors also told me it was more common in your 20s and so you might find they get less frequent, if you are still young?

But I would really suggest asking your doctor about this procedure. There's nothing worse- I feel for you! :-(

Rainbunny · 04/12/2014 14:21

I have had one UTI in my entire life (now late thirties) and I sincerely hope that's how it will stay. I did read a fascinating (and terrifying) article last year about the link between chickens and ecoli UTIs (the most common type of UTI). Not sure what to make of it but I eat less and less meat as the years go by and stick to organic meat only. The funny thing about my UTI which was a couple of years ago, was that my coworker who was also in her thirties and had never had a UTI in her life before also developed a UTI within a day of mine. Looking back, we had eaten a free Indian delivery lunch that our company had provided on the previous Friday which likely contained cheap chicken meat. I know it sounds far fetched but it was a really strange coincidence!

www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/17/uti-chicken-urinary-tract-infection-contaminated-e-coli_n_1285519.html

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