to wonder how the bloody hell I have cystitis?

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

Used to get it every time I visited DH pre marriage (LDR) but we have not been shagging like bunnies so why????? WHY WHY WHY????? It is the most horrible infection and makes me want to cry

Have you changed your washing powder or anything?

Horrible question but do you pee after you have sex?

Have you been drinking enough water?

Do you use condoms? Latex intolerances are often discovered this way...

I used to get it when I was single for 3 years - once you've got it you've got it IYSWIM.

Dose yourself up with bicarbonate of soda and get yourself down the GP for some antibiotics - you don't want cystitis getting a grip over Christmas

Have you drunk alcohol?

...and poor you. Get some Cymalon on the go, book an appointment with the GP for a couple of day's time in case it doesn't go away (you can always cancel it if it does) and drink lots of water.

are you run down? That can trigger it sometimes esp if you've maybe not been drinking as much water as you ought to

Water - no, have not been drinking enough (does tea count?) Haven't got a GP, well I have, but they know I've moved house and I haven't registered with a local one yet, haven't changed washing powder, do use condoms but have done for aaages, don't usually pee after sex to be honest (too bloody cold).

Shall get to the chemist and see what they have. Yes have been working flat out, was just discussing with my colleague how we'll probably get 'endoftermitis'

Thanks

You need to cut out the tea/coffe and no fruit juice either. If you can get Cymalon at chemists, it's not too bad but there is a stronger version in liquid form now that will relieve the symptoms. Drink loads and loads of water and/or lemon barley juice. Don't go too made with the bicarb as it will upset your tummy - just one small teaspoon in some water per day I think.

Oh and no alcohol either.

Antibiotics are your best bet, by the way.

Aaaand, you can get cystitis from just getting a bit too cold around your kidneys (never mind a lot of other ways) so keep warm too.

And, apologies for sounding like my mother!

I meant don't go "too mad" with the bicarb...

And always pee after sex!

Curly is right - always pee after sex. Gets rid of bacteria that might get to the bladder.

Drink lots of cranberry juice. It is the only thing that cures me (antibiotics included).

No idea why it works, but it does.

Hope you feel better.

My sister who gets it v badly only drinks bottled water now as she says that the chemicals in tap water can set it off again so you might want to try only drinking bottled water for a bit and see if it helps

"Shall get to the chemist and see what they have. "

Don't bother. The stuff from the chemist is no better than taking bicarb in water - and I would rather go to the GP and pay the money for the prescription. You really don't want to get a full blown UTI over Christmas, it's really not nice.

and my little trick is that I take 1/2 the course of antibiotics and keep the other half "in reserve".

Try to avoid drinking acidic juices and make sure you drink loads of water. Cystitis is a build-up of bacteria in the bladder causing higher levels of uric acid which is what makes you need to pee and also what makes it burn. Make sure you tilt yourself forward on the loo as this clears any pockets of urine from the bladder.

But the best advice I can give you is GO TO THE DOCTOR !!!

That's naughty fibilou! Doesn't that cause more problems? Although I may have some kicking about at home... probably not a good idea to neck them tho.

Thanks folks I'm going to call tomorrow morning and get a same day appt if it hasn't cleared up.

Do see GP. I was a regular sufferer (not so bad these days - touch wood) and a couple of days after a particularly nasty bout some years ago I ended up hospitalised thanks to an infection that spread. It was so bad they suspected meningitis at first and I was in for a week. I still think it had something to do with the UTI I was suffering earlier the same week. Get the anti-bs to make sure you have a good Christmas.

Good luck!

fibilou you should always take the full course of antibiotics or you risk creating a bacteria that is antibiotic resistant. And you really don't want that. Please take the full course.

see www.cobfoundation.org loads of info and message boards.

hope it goes soon.