Recurrent UTIs- taking over my life

[hairycabbage]

Since late last year I've had at least one UTI per month, often clearing up for a day or two then coming back.
I've tried every piece of advice I've found:
Showering before and after sex (rarely now because I always get one afterwards anyway)
Taking D-mannose and cranberry tablets
Lots and lots of water
General diet improvements and exercise
Vitamins
Little to no alcohol
Wiping 'properly'

I've seen my GP several times, they've prescribed solifenacin in case it's an overactive bladder rather than infection but the last few times I've had samples tested and they always come back positive for infection. Blood tests are all normal. They don't have anything else to suggest. I'm currently on what is possibly my 8th course of antibiotics in six months 😢 I always try to flush it out before starting antibiotics but that rarely works.
I'm at the end of my tether, worried about going away anywhere in case I get one and can't get to GP for antibiotics, losing sleep because I'm regularly up and down to the loo all night and it's just taking over in so many ways.
If anyone can suggest anything I haven't tried I would really love to hear.

Not being rude but could it be peri menopause? For the first time in my life I started getting UTIs. Soon turned out I needed some HRT and five years later I’ve not had one uti.

This. Blood tests are pointless.

Wasn't there something on TV only a few weeks ago saying that it is now being recognised that not just the rapid dipstick strip tests, but even the laboratory urine culure tests are quite unreliable, and that many women who get a negative result from those lab tests almost certainly do have some kind of infection?

Yes, I think this is correct. I would say my experience personally aligns with this too. I have a doctor who is willing to believe this as well, thankfully.

This is all really useful, thank you.
I've suffered from UTIs for about 20 years but it's only increased in frequency in the past 6 months. I guess it could be peri menopause but I have no other symptoms whatsoever- I know my cycle is still as normal.
Interestingly, the practice dipstick said normal but the lab results showed positive for infection.
I'll try contacting the GP again and ask for some more support for definite.
It's so horrid, it sounds so minor but they are just awful 😞

This was me I had constant UTI s and no despite having investigation done no cause could be found, this went on for a long long time.

I was on the pill and then decided to come off the pill for other reasons and all my UTIs stopped and have never returned.

This was never mentioned as a cause to me but it was too much of a coincidence for it not to be.

I suffered recurrent UTIs for years, you have all my sympathy.

If you use a diaphragm/cap then that might well be a contributing factor - the rim can irritate the bladder. Stop using those. Same principle with moon cups.

For local relief, a cotton wool pad soaked in Witch Hazel and placed against the urethra will help to ease the burning and urgency.

Also, check out Angela Kilmartin - she's an amazing resource. Some of her work has edged into Candida infections which I'm a bit sceptical about, but her cystitis and UTI stuff is amazing and saved my sanity.

www.angelakilmartin.com/

I had recurrent utis. I requested a referral to urologist. They sorted me out in one visit.

Had them in my 20s and again more recently in my late 40s. Both times I went onto low dose antibiotics. In my 40s it was because the GP gave a 3day course of antibiotics so this did not clear it. Your body gets run down each time it flares up, so after a week long dose to clear the infection properly, I went onto the low dose for a number of months to help my body recover. I now have the low dose ones on a repeat prescription and so far, so good.

Vaginal oestrogen didn't help (in fact it seemed to irritate more) and on HRT patches to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Also have to make sure I drink enough water during the day to ensure the system gets flushed regularly and the usual hygiene/wiping/caffeine/white loo paper/cotton undies etc

I had been told years ago that if you have been prone to infections in the past your bladder becomes 'scarred' which makes clearing an infection harder as it burrows into the scarred areas.

Sadly it's affected my sex life hugely - the thought of becoming ill and in pain has really put me off. 😢

More food for thought! I'm not on the pill (or any medication in fact) and don't use a diaphragm or moo cup etc.
I don't appear to suffer from thrush but I'm going to look into this more too.
Thanks

How are you getting on with this? I've started buying an antibiotic online it's so hard to get into my doctors. It works for uti but they sell it for a different purpose so a little creativity is needed when ordering. It has saved my sanity. I saw it suggested on here a while ago.

Hi,

so sorry you’re experiencing this and I feel your pain!!!

I experience the same problem and my issue is that the dipstick test always appears positive for infection but often when sent off for the testing in lab, it comes back with no bacteria present. It’s bizarre to me though as the antibiotics prescribed to tend to work.

i have had to be quite demanding of my GP to explore it further. Now I am prescribed a small dosage of antibiotic nitrofuratoin which I have to take after intercourse which has really helped reduced how many UTIS i have. Since the problem hasn’t resolved still my GP is looking at a referral to urology.

the only things I know that do help is always weeing after sex, trying to keep hydrated. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol (where I can!!!) avoiding sex when I’m under the influence of alcohol.

i suffer bad with the pain and often find the burning sensation unbearable, the absolutely only thing that helps me during these times is being in the bath for ages (even peeing in the bath which I know is gross) but it’s the only sense of relief I get during a bad flare up.

hope you get sorted xx

Can I ask - how are getting on with the nitrofurantoin?
I've been on it (post intercourse) for quite a few years now, and sometimes I'm fine, but sometimes I feel really nauseous the next day