UTI

[JuliaBraverman]

In about 2019, I started getting UTIs regularly. I had the usual antibiotics which took the infection away then it would come back. I was then passed around hospital departments and they thought prolapse or not. I was referred to a physiotherapist who suggested D Mannose. I I took these for a while and they did seem to work, but then I read something that taking them long term may not be a good idea. On a visit to a different GP, she suggested it may be menopause related and prescribed the pessary Estradiol. That seemed to work for the past couple of years, but now I’m back to getting regular UTIs again. Also tried the cream. I’ve put a urine sample into the GP today and it’s come back with no infection found but they’ve sent it to the lab anyway. Can anyone help? I’m 62

I’m sorry to hear you are suffering. It could be an imbalance in your vaginal microbiome. It’s very common and GPs don’t seem to test for it. If it comes back that Strep B is present, mention Aerobic Vaginitis. I had this for over 9 months with horrible symptoms and it was a poster on here who told me what was wrong with me! The clinic weren’t testing for AV it and it turned out I just needed a specific antibiotic. Good luck, but if D Mannose worked for you previously, I’d try that again.

A medication called Hiprex seems to be working well for me, maybe ask if your GP can prescribe it? I take D Mannose too - the sachets rather than the tablets. I haven’t heard anything about it being unsuitable for long term use, I think it’s just a natural sugar?

I worked with a lady like this she literally nearly always had a UTI we worked in pharmacy so if it was available she tried it , I can’t remember what her exact diagnosis was but she ended up having a hysterectomy to stop the UTI’s

Thank you all, appreciate your replies x

What's your diet like? If your eating a lot of oxalates, that can make you more prone to UTIs.

Had to google oxalates! No not really, I like a baked potato but not a diet high in them at all.

What are your symptoms?

Smelly urine, frequent urination, slight lower abdominal pain, slight pain on passing urine

Have you had a scan of your kidneys?

No

Just asking as I had frequent (worsening) UTIs and was offered a scan as kidney stones were a possibility. In my case it turned out that one of my kidneys was not functioning at all, but a more common issue would be kidney stones. Maybe ask for a scan.

I will, thank you

Watch a short talk on YouTube by Professor Jenny Rohn an NHS researcher called Why we should be angry about UTIs. Very enlightening and casts light on the terrible treatment of recurrent uti by the nhs. Their urine tests are a disaster.

Oh god, I will thank you … hoping there’s a positive conclusion as I’m at a loss

I need to find it but there was another thread that recommended a private lab for tests. It was this company: https://www.tota.bio/

This is the thread - long, but worth reading. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_health/5190130-beating-a-chronic-uti-success-stories?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Oh thank you for that.. reading now. Obviously, nothing has come up in the sample that the GP sent to the lab as they haven’t contacted me but I’m still feeling the effects of a UTI not massively but still there

This thread is helpful. Im in the throws of a first UTI and on my 3rd lot of antibiotics. Really fed up.

Have a look at the following on Instagram (or I'm pretty sure other socials too)

Drrachelrubin (who is a US Doctor)

Drnighatarif (An NHS GP and specialist in Women's Health)

and FabulousPharmacist does some good stuff too.

Will do, thanks

Update .. my sample showed ecoli at the lab .. 3 days of antibiotics didn’t shift it so now have a longer course which will be fine… until the next time. I’ve started D Mannose again of that helps anyone to know.

Thank you I’ll have a read x