Dog Community

UTIs-- if you don't wanna read it, don't click;)

Posted : 7/22/2006 10:53:07 PM

It's not the dog, this time, it's me. I feel SICK!

What's your best UTI preventative/treatment. I'm probably going to the Dr on Monday, b/c it's in my kidneys, already (it always is, by the time I notice. darn high pain tolerance), but how do YOU keep them at bay?

I had my first BAD UTI when I was 18. I'd been horseback riding, and the Dr said that women have everything too close together. I had E Coli in my urine. It was in my kidneys, and my bladder. No blood in my urine. He gave me D Mannose, and told me not to drink anything but cranberry juice or water, and come back if it isn't better in a week (b/c I'd need a good antibiotic).

This time, I'm not sure if I need an antibiotic or not, and my doctor has passed away. There's no other alternative doctor, so I'm probably going to just head to the clinic and have my urine checked. If there's blood, I'll take the antibiotic. If not, I'll go with the D Mannose from the health food store.

I've been quite prone to UTIs since the bad one I had, five years ago. From what I've read, switching to distilled water helps. I've quite drinking any other kind of water, just this week. The dogs are getting distilled, too, since Em is prone to UTIs. The things that increase your risk of getting a UTI are being a woman, age, menopause, and being sexually active. The ONLY thing I do on that list is be a woman. ARG!

I'm never touching another soda. Never. I don't care if I'm dying of thirst. No black tea, either. No caffeine to irritate my bladder.

Suggestions? Help? Superdrugs?

whatsh0uldmyl0ginbe?

Posted : 7/22/2006 10:56:08 PM

Cranberry juice..hah thats all I know of..sorry I'm not that much help, hope you feel better soon!

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 7/22/2006 11:06:10 PM

I've never had a UTI, but it sure sounds miserable. Good thoughts and wishes coming your way. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Joyce

willowchow

Posted : 7/22/2006 11:13:48 PM

I used to get them when I was in my 20s. I haven't gotten them at all in my 30s.

I think you'd better not wait til Monday to get a urinalysis done, Jennie. If you wait, you could be in severe pain by then. My cousin also about your age ended up in the ER a few months ago with the pain because she kept putting off going.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/22/2006 11:28:57 PM

The only thing that helps me is sulfa -- they give amoxycillan FOR uti's and it *causes* it in me. Sheesh.

Cranberry capsules -- and COPIOUS amounts of water. Drink water constantly -- if you can't do anything better just chug it -- literally drink over a gallon -- sip it, chug it -- do whatever you must.

In our human logic we tend NOT to drink because we dread the burn so much. BUT if it's dilute it doesn't burn!

Just emailed you a couple of suggestions. I feel for ya -- I'm prone to them as well.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/23/2006 1:05:29 AM

I know it defies logic, but I've had almost a gallon of water, today. And a couple of glasses of (foul, disgusting) cranberry juice. I know the only way to get it out is to FLUSH it out, so I'm flushing as much as I can.

I can't really not wait til Monday, b/c it's Sunday, now, LOL. Nobody's open. I have to work, anyways. I'll live til Monday

I feel like crap, but I'm not in any sort of pain that I can't deal with. Not even close. I just feel general ickiness and sleepiness. My body likes to deal with sickness by sleeping. It's out of luck. I have too much to do to sleep for 15 hours. Otherwise, I wouldn't even consider things like antibiotics. My body knows how to heal itself.

jeano

Posted : 7/23/2006 1:50:10 AM

250 mg Vitamin C every four hours will acidify your urine (and Emmas, too---only twice a day for her) and knock down the bacteria count. Too much or too acidic stuff will irritate it more, so don't take more than that. That's why orange juice isn't recommended for bladder infections. Of course with the Vitamin C (since you hate cranberry juice) drink tons of water.

I would NOT go with distilled water, as you need some of the electrolytes that come in water. Drinking only distilled water is not a good idea long term. You can end up with an electrolyte imbalance and have all sorts of goofy problems.

I got them in my 20s and 30s, and stress had a great deal to do with it. Sorry if this next is too graphic but.....If you are in a relationship, ALWAYS pee after sex. That helps prevent a major proportion of UTIs.

You might want to find some cranberry pills that you could take every day, forever, or until you seem less susceptible to UTIs. That way it won't taste nasty to you but you might get the protection you need.

Having a kidney infection is very serious and you really ought to go to the urgent care clinic and get your antibugs NOW. And next time if it even crosses your mind that you *might* be getting a UTI, start the Vit. C regimen and do it for five days. Chances are you'll catch it in the bud.

smilee1079

Posted : 7/23/2006 10:08:18 AM

I'd take a daily cranberry capsule. My bf's company sells them, so I know they make them. I am not a fan of cranberry juice, so it would be a good alternative or additional method to add cranberry to your diet. He said the cranberry capsules cause the urine to be more acidic which kills the bacteria. He said you can take them daily to cure and help prevent.

danehaven

Posted : 7/23/2006 10:36:58 AM

I take the cranberry pills too. Plus drink lots of water. I have headed off a couple infections by literallly drowning them. Not fun but it worked. Someone quite awhile ago told me alka-seltzer works. I've tried it a few times when I felt one coming on and it helped. Plus I double up on the water and cran pills.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/23/2006 10:54:03 AM

The cranberry actually helps the infection not 'stick' and helps it literally exit the body. That's why the "radiator flush" method often works (it's all I can think of ... putting a hose in a car radiator and opening the spigot at the bottom and putting a can of radiator flush in it -- *sigh* sorry!). But that's kinda what cranberry and copious amounts of water do.

BUT if you feel that yucky then it's likely you do need the antibiotic. As much as we hate it, sometimes it's just what we gotta do. I've had conjunctivitis all week and normally with the first 'itch' I can ward it off by being very proactive with homeopathic eye drops, etc. Where I picked up THIS lovely little eye bacteria I've no clue but I've been to the doctor TWICE and have had THREE different antibiotic drops before they finally found one to kill this resistent little bugger. To say it's been heck trying to do computer work all week is an understatement. But finally we've got it kicked I think. I HATE putting stuff in my eyes, and I hate antibiotics even worse, but I also know sometimes I just gotta knuckle under and do it. *sigh*

Good luck Jennie!

willowchow

Posted : 7/23/2006 11:58:38 AM

Having a kidney infection is very serious and you really ought to go to the urgent care clinic and get your antibugs NOW

I agree, don't they have walk in places down there that are open most of the time?? If it's the antibiotics that you'd like to avoid the sooner you go the less powerful of a dose you'll need. And, it sounds like you don't have a regular doctor anyway so why wait. . . go after work. I'm your mom, do what I say, LOL! [

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karin

Posted : 7/23/2006 1:05:18 PM

I used to get terrible UTIs. A co-worker who also got UTIs suggested Uristat. (It's made by monistat) That stuff is great, flushes you out (bright orange pee) and kills the pain. It will tide you over until you get too the DR.

loveukaykay

Posted : 7/23/2006 4:05:09 PM

Get the most potent cranberry pills you can find and take two twice a day. I used to be prone to UTIs, I went and got that suff and now when I feel it coming I do that and drink water, works every time. I think drinking aloe vera juice works wonders but i cant stand the tatse.

LovinMyLife

Posted : 7/23/2006 8:44:46 PM

First off... *HUGS* I am battling one right now too so I feel for you!
Take the cranberry capsules every day, even when you don't have one, it helps avoid them! I also take garlic capsules, garlic is a natural antibiotic!
Drink, drink, drink.... but you know that!
Go buy some of the OTC UTI Relief stuff! Makes your pee orange, but stops the pain.
Fill your bathtub with the hottest water you can stand "down there" and sit in it for 20 minutes, helps relieve the pain.
Always, ALWAYS go pee after sex, the only time I get them now is if I forget

Always wipe front to back!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/23/2006 9:33:52 PM

I got them in my 20s and 30s, and stress had a great deal to do with it. Sorry if this next is too graphic but.....If you are in a relationship, ALWAYS pee after sex. That helps prevent a major proportion of UTIs.

See, I don't have sex... I did know that, though.

Ugh. I'm guessing it's stress. I can't decide if this is better than a migraine, or not LOL. I am going to the doctor, in the morning. I didn't go today. Sorry, Lori. I don't listen to my mom, either[

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I'm going in the morning, with my friend, for a pregnancy test (her baby is only three months old, geez, fertile girl), going to pee in a cup, going to get my hair cut, then taking my brother, with me to the chiropractor.

At least the second half is good, LOL.