Cystisis argghhh !

[Pollydon]

Got it again
3-4 times a year on average. Does anyone take cranberry tablets or juice to prevent attacks & does it work ?

I used to get this pretty much every time I had sex, was horrible. Funnily enough, not had it since giving birth.

The only thing that helped me was antibiotics for the bad ones and cinnamon tea for the ones I caught early. I tried a lot of preventative stuff but that didn't help. I read a lot of people had success with d-mannose, which might be worth looking into?

Thanks Eek Ive not tried cinnamon tea before, I'll give it a whirl. Dr did suggest staying on a low dose antibiotic for a prolonged corse, but they make me feel dreadful.

I have done extensive research and been to see uro-gynies about this. This is my list that seems to be working for me atm:
Caffeine and alcohol intake severely limited
Empty bladder before and after intercourse.
Always wash immediately before and after intercourse.
Keep that whole area fanatically clean (wash 2-3 times a day)
Drink mainly water.
Religious about pelvic floor exercises.

This seems to have knocked it on the head for now. Sounds extreme but I was desperate.

It's hideous. Hope you find a solution that works

Oh yes - I was prescribed 6 months of antibiotics. This is my last attempt before taking them. I haven't had a uti for 4 months.

It is worth getting a referral to uro-gynaecology as there are a number of possible causes.

Also should add that my health, fitness levels and diet are otherwise pretty good.

I got recurring uti's . What worked for me was taking high strength garlic tablets every day. Haven't had one for five months which is unheard of for me. I used to get them everytime I had sex even though I did the wee and wash thing. So I love garlic!

My tips:

-High dose cranberry tablet daily...triple strength from H&B
-D Mannose tablet daily (plus powder as back up for when you actually have cystitis)
-Water water water all day long
-After pooing, hot damp cotton-pad dabbing over urethra...as hot as you can bear...squeeze out another wee if you can at this point
-Dab of tea tree oil over your bits after hot cotton-pad treatment (feels like a mint is stuck down yonder...not entirely unpleasant)
-Probiotics
-Garlic tablet

Great tips ladies, I shall be trying them all especially cutting down on my coffee intake, I drink far too much when I'm at work & dh has just pointed out I never get an attack when on a\l .

Maria I had renal reflux as a child and my gp told me that I would always be susceptible to uti's, but its just getting silly now

So sorry Pollydon, cystitis is just miserable isn't it? I suffered for ages but now have a routine and products that have kept me cystitis free for about a year so far (used to get attacks with same frequency as you.)

My list is similar to some of the PPs but FWIW this is what's working for me:

-Waterfall D Mannose- I take three tablets an hour before sex (if we are organised!!) and always three immediately afterwards. I take three immediately whenever I get that telltale twinge and it seems to knock infections on the head. I've got rid of established infections with it in the past too, and it is nice not to have to rely on antibiotics.

-CranFlora tablets with Probiotics (Acidophilus is the best probiotic for this according to my Health Store lady!)

-Good Vitamin C tablet for immune system

-Wee before and after sex, also wash before if you can, and after with fragrance free soap.

-Showers never baths, fragrance free soap (sanex zero is good), no chemically bubble bath/shower gel/etc.

-Drink lots of water, especially after sex.

-Cut out caffeine. I thought I would HATE this but I've got used to de-caff tea.

-Avoiding too much acidic food/drink at once- so I still drink wine, for example, but I never have wine plus citrus fruit plus an acidic dressing on salad, etc.

-This one is hard- cutting down on sugar!

My biggest tip is D-Mannose, it really does work, but it is pricey.

Good luck, it is so horrible to live with!

PS I'm sure you know but just in case: do not drink cranberry juice when you actually have cystitis- it will make your urine more acidic and the bacteria will have a party! I'm not convinced that cranberry juice works at all as prevention- too much sugar and not enough cranberry- try the CranFlora or similar tablets.