Recurring cystitis getting me down

[LibrarianAli]

I've had recurring cystitis for 3 or 4 years at least (getting attacks every other month or so). I took little pots of wee to the Docs and had kidney scans and never got any real answers other than I'm prone to them. Anyway I've managed to get attacks down to a minimum by washing before and after sex and taking antibios (Ceflaxin) after sex, taking cranberry tablets, being really gentle and, unfortunately not doing it very often...all of which are pretty incompatible with TTC.

We've been trying for a baby for 4 months now, and I've had 4 bouts of cystitis since then, the latest kicked in at work today. I think I ov'd earlier this week so we've been SWI a-plenty... and now I'm being punished.

So, do any of you know - if I'm on the 2ww is it ok to take Trimethoprim?

And, more hopelessly, how can I get a baby if the thing that gets a baby gets me poorly?

I've got a Doc appt on Tuesday, by which time it'll have cleared up but I just needed to get it off my chest as I'm just so fed up!

Thanks.

Hi sorry for a quick post but im in a bit of a rush. You can't not take trimethoprim as it can be dangerous when pregnant. I really sympathise with the cystitis. Ive had it a few times since ttc and its awful. It took ages to clear up. I find using preseed once it had gone helped me as I was a little dry at times and I think that led to me getting it in the first place. Hope someone has some better advice for you.

That should say you CAN'T take trimethoprim sorry!

Thanks Cupcakes
Feeling a lot less grumpy about it all this morning. Managed to flush out the stinging with plenty of water and bicarb, and thanks to you didn't take the Anti-bios.

Also, woke up to a sore right nipple so am now happily convinced I'm updiffed and the cystitis is clearly a sign of early pregnancy (it's almost certainly not but I'm enjoying the imagining!)

Still going to Docs on Tues so hopefully they'll tell me more about how to prevent/manage the symptoms whilst still TTC

lb cystitis is horrible. I've posted this elsewhere, but after 7 years of cystitis every other month, a gp suggested Angela Kilmartins book to me. Touch wood, in the following 9 years, I've only had it twice. Not all of the advice is an easy pill to swallow but, I did it, still do it and it's saved me! Do pm me if you want to talk about this, I could write my own book on the evils of water infections! Take care.

Hi wine,

I was really convinced that I was the only person who gets cystitis all the time, but a quick trawl of the MN archives proves how common and thoroughly miserable. I'll def get the book if this is the right one

is this the book

Rest assured you aren't on your own - I've been through the mill with it, my best friend gets it every few weeks and when you start talking to people, it's really common! My gp said that it's the most common thing she sees. The book makes you feel not so alone and that link is the right one. She's a bit matronly and no nonsense, but it did fix me. You can also get something in holland and barratts called Potters antitis and I found that helpful, together with cranberry tablets. I also ditched thongs for shorts/briefs and that helped a lot! It's miserable and used to make me cry a lot, it's also the last thing you need if you're ttc. All the best and if youre ever fed up, do get in touch.

Hi, I'm a fellow sufferer. I take one nitrofurantoin after sex and that does the trick. I was able to continue to take it during my pregnancy, tho not during first 12 weeks (I think). You'd Have to ask your doc about this tho. Before getting pregnant I Saw an amazing specialist who put me on long term v low dose antibiotics to clear up long standing infection. I was on them for a year and it finally shifted it. Hot baths really helped to, but again to be avoided if u are pregnant. You are not alone ... And things will get better eventually I promise.

Hi, I'm a long-time lurker, first-time poster! I just had to reply to this one as I've had exactly the same problem for the past six years. I've been on all sorts of antibiotics, had a kidney scan, been to see a urologist, tried cranberry juice, cranberry capsules, bicarb, the whole washing/drinking loads of water rigmarole, probiotics, hot water bottles, painkillers - you name it, really! TTC and sex-related cystitis do not go well together - I was on antibiotics throughout my first pregnancy (because of the risk of an infection spreading to my kidneys) and now we are starting to tentatively TTC no. 2. It does add another level of stress to the whole thing, unfortunately. I have been driving myself crazy for the past week as I've had cramps, felt sick, been going to the loo constantly and had a weird three-day bleed several days after my period had finished - so do I just have another UTI, or could I be pregnant?! I'm afraid I don't have any answers, although I've been drinking a lot of barley water this month which does seem to help - add bicarb to the mix and it definitely helps to calm things down a bit. I don't know if you've seen the COB website but there are loads of fellow sufferers on there and lots of tips for dealing with an attack.

Agatha, I'd be interested to know which antibiotic you were on!

You don't have to put up with recurring cystitis, ask your gp to refer you to a urologist. Thoigh I accept if you are pregnant then they may want to wait till after baby is born.

Look at your diet as well, cutting out thngs li,e caffeine and fizzy drinks can make a difference. Also after baby you can be put on a low dose course of trimethoprim. I've currently been taking 100mg once a day for months. The idea is that after about six months of no Utis my bladder will have broken the cycle, killed off all the bugs and I won't get any more.

Well I saw my lovely GP this week and I got the book whereismywine suggested so I feel much more empowered now.

Interestingly my GP's never heard of someone being given an anti-bio (Ceflaxin) to take just after sex, and she was reluctant to prescribe an anti-bio until they know what they're dealing with (is it Bacterial cystitis or is it Urithritis which is caused by...ahem, friction). So, next time I get it, I've got to take a pot of wee, again and they'll test it, again.

However she did say it was ok to wash after sex and I wouldn't rinse all the sperm away, similarly it's ok to go running and I won't 'shake them out' (I was genuinely worried about this) and she said that water-based lube is good so I'll stock up on that.

Oh, and my sore right nipple didn't turn out to be a sign of looming pregnancy, rather it was a slightly irritating applique of a penguin on my PJs.

So, thank you all for your help and support. I feel much better knowing I'm not the only freak pissing razorblades!

at irritating penguin. I'm hoping you worked that out yourself rather than the gp coming up with the diagnosis?