Best Eating plan for DD with recurrent and severe UTI

[Fadingmemory]

DD is 21 and for the past 7 years has suffered infections causing severe abdominal pain, vomiting, raised temperature and tenderness. She has had one scan and is shortly to have another. No cause found but medics have suggested the possibility of cystitis, 'bad luck', stricture of urinary tract due to scarring... Any suggestions of foods/liquids that would either be beneficial or best avoided other than avoiding alcohol, citrus fruits and spicy food gratefully received. She has been advised that cranberry juice is a good choice but not juice drink because of the high sugar content. DD is 5ft 3" and weighs 57 kilos (mixed systems, sorry).

Is she on long term antibiotics? I have been on them since I was 14 (now 36) for similar problems and they changed my life. I take one every night and self medicate to 3 as and when I need to. I know you asked for advice about diet but for me the antibiotics have been the only thing that has made any difference. I also took them throughout both my pregnancies with no issues - they are brilliant. I take cefalexin but there are others that can be taken long term too.

Might be worth looking at the Whole30. It is basically an anti-inflammatory elimination diet for 30 days with a structured reintroduction. whole30.com

I can thoroughly recommend it, but the website has loads of positive stories from people with varying medical issues.

Fairy and Beryl, many thanks for your suggestions which have now been passed on to DD. Neither have been in the frame so far.

Whole30 sounds interesting. will take a look.

I also followed an alkaline diet ie less acidic food like fruit and meat, more veg, whole grain, pulses etc.

Also I'd recommend taking cranberry extract as capsules not juice to avoid the acidic content.

Loads of water.....

One thing to consider if your dd has had lots of antibiotics is the effect of thrush - this can also mimic a UTI and in my experience after antibiotics I also need to follow an anti-thrush/candida regime to get everything back to normal.

Best wishes to your DD

Thank you Colouring. I don't know about an anti-thrush/candida regime. Do you have any tips for that?

Have a look at D-Mannose, it is very good for preventing/treating recurrent UTI's.

OP I guess the key thing is is your dd definitely experiencing a bacterial infection each time? If yes, the anti-b's are in order, if not then she needs further investigation.

If she's had lots of anti b's then it is probably worth getting tested for thrush before any OTC treatment. I'd also recommend a good (Ie refrigerated) probiotic supplement - lots and lots of friendly bacteria to start rebalancing things to begin with.

Perhaps worth looking at the COB foundation for advice they cover a few different bladder conditions. I have Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome and I found this web site very useful at the beginning to help with diet etc.