UTI And Antibiotics?

I read the responses and just wanted to add a couple of things I didn't see mentioned - the women in my family are prone to UTIs. They drink cranberry juice (diluted with water) as a preventative, not a cure. This is to change the acid/alkiline balance which is off if you are getting infections. Some people have more bacteria than others (e.g. acne) and your husband is a contributor. Bacteria is sitting on the skin - so you both should wash up before getting intimate as another preventive. And then go urinate as advised in the other memos to flush your urinary tract of bacteria that entered during sex. Good luck!

Hi, K.. I had chronic UTIs and UTI symptoms for years. The doctor I was seeing at the time would do a culture and find no bacteria. Therefore, he ruled out UTI and said it was probably yeast related so I was told to go on several treatments for yeast infections...which are no fun to do. Then, when that didn't work he said I was not wiping myself properly after having a BM. Rediculous!

When I changed jobs and got new insurance I also changed docs. My current doc said, "I don't find any bacteria but I believe you've got something going on". So, he referred me to a urologist who did an x-ray and determined that I had bladder stones that were so large that I'd probably had them since I was a small child. Since they've been removed I have some bladder reflux so am very prone to UTI's. Therefore, I drink cranberry juice on a regular basis as a preventative and haven't had a problem. I would hope that your doc will go the distance to determine why you continue to have UTI's...even with antibiotics.

Hi K.! I have had three this year and if I have another, I will have to see an urinologist. I have had no luck getting rid of them on my own; I have tried cranberry juice, watermelons, and yogurt. Nothing works for me. Antibiotics can do it though. Just keep these things apart of your diet everyday so you won't get another one.

hi K. i seem to get symptoms of uti very often and like you have never had one in my life until giving birth. i have had to take many antibiotics when it was really bad-going into kidney infection. my doc does culture my urine if your doc is doing this then it should tell you how bad it is. this summer i had a very bad strain of bacteria that caused fever kidney aching ,nausea ,fatigue. i couldn't function so anibiotics were the only way to go. now on the other hand i recently felt one was coming on so i started taking 4tbls a day of organic apple cider vinegar and drinking 90oz of water with pure cran juice. it has really helped! i do notice if i drink lots of water-70-90oz everyday then my urine is great when i go to the doc. i hope this helps!

K.,
Is your OB running a full urine culture w/ sensativities to make sure that 1) you really have a UTI and 2)you are on the correct antibiotic? I would insist on that- Anatomy changes after childbirth- some women get more UTI's while the abd and bladder muscles re-align themselves. You can also get local irritation that can mimic UTI sxs, that can be treated with Baking soda baths, lots and lots of fluids, and making sure you are empting your bladder when you need to go.
AZO treats the symtpms of a UTI, it coats the bladder, but it will NOT treat a UTI.
Please feel free to e-mail me w/ any questions!
D.
____@____.com

I know I posted on the last one to go and get oatstraw tea. Take it 3-4 times daily. My friend who is a strict homeopath says it cures hers?!?! I am permanently on macrobid for the duration of my pregnancy because believe it or not I have had more of them than you. My Urologist says the thing that's scary is that it can infect the kidneys if it (the infection) backs up further. Then, I believe it can cause problems like stones. If no remedies are working, I think you have to resort to antibiotics, unfortunately. I feel the same way not wanting to take them all the time being pg.

Good luck!
R.

Hey K.! Try baking soda in your drinking water (ie, 1 tsp for every 12 ozs.) This is a natural remedy that worked wonders for me after my honeymoon!

Best Wishes,

D. R.
Richardson, TX

UTI's are caused by bacteria, so the only way to get rid of it is to take an antibiotic..don't worry about taking one while breastfeeding, when I had mastitis I took an antibiotic and breastfed at the same time. You need to increase your water intake, too. HOpe this helps,
A.

K.,
Hello, I use to get UTI's all the time. For me, It had alot to do with after sexual intercourse. My doctor recommended for me to urinate after I have sexual intercouse with my husband. Wear only cotton underware, Watch how you clean yourself,and don't use any colored toilet paper.
Now, I don't get them at all.
I Do eat alot of Yogart, I take Probiotic Acidophilus
And drink alot of Cranberry juice. plus, water to flush your system.
Hope this helps,
A.

I've had UTIs my entire life, due to bladder problems, so iknow your pain.
It may be the type of antiobiotic your ob is prescribing. Since there are many kinds, and some dont react well do the body's defence system (hence, you become "immune" to them), id see if you could get another kind.
UTIs untreated can cause major bladder/urinary problems, including kidney infections. If problems and symptoms presist, continue pursuing another type of anitibiotic. in addition, drink drink drink!!! Cranberry juice "flushes" the urinary system (though water and other fluids do the same thing). I haven't tried any over the counter meds.
Good luck and hope you get to feeling better!

I used to get them, too. I've found the only way to cure them is antibiotics. I ignored my first one, and I ended up getting a kidney infection. It was awful...the worst pain! Also, remember to pee after you've had sex to avoid getting one.

Hi K.,

I work for a very good doctor in Richardson and let me share with you what she does in cases like this that many doctors fail to tell you. When you have a UTI it depends how much and what kind of bacteria grows. Most of the time it is necessary to take antibiotics to get rid of the infection, but you need to make sure they are giving you the right anitbiotic that the bacteria you grew is susceptible to not just some random one they give everyone. Also is your UA normal? It is not uncommon to have them so frequently in such a short period of time but if it persists I would suggest getting a sonogram of your kidneys done just to make sure and maybe a VCUG (don't know if this is normally performed on adults) but you can help prevent them by of course drinking plenty of water, eating yogurt, and cranberry juice. Make sure to keep that area as clean as possible use feminine wipes after using the bathroom and about 2 to 3 times per week take a hot bath with 1/4 - 1/2 cup of epsom salt and soak for about 20-30 minutes. Hope this helps some.