Would a Urologist Help?

I definately recommend it!!! I had frequent UTIs 6-8 in one year, and my regular doctors couldn't determine a cause. And more annoyingly, my GYN never found bacteria on the culture, so they stopped giving my antibiotics. They ultimately sent me to the urologist - yes, they do treat UTIs, although, I think some "specialize" in male issues. Ask for a referral and I am sure you will find someone good.

In my case they were concerned by the lack of bacteria when I had an elevated white cell count. Turns out I had an inflamation of the lining of the bladder which presented as a bunch of polyp-like lesions. I needed a bopsy, but it was benign. It was not cystitis (which is chronic), but it presented similarly. They also put me on a low does antibiotic I have been taking for 6 months, and I haven't had a reoccurrance. They are going to take me off the antibiotic soon and see how I do. The idea is to prevent any UTIs which would further inflame my bladder and let it heal.

It took a lot to get to that point, since they were concerned about bladder cancer because of the symptoms, but lack of bacteria. I had a ultrasound of my kidneys and bladder, than a CT scan of my renal system, and then a cystoscopy (little camera looks in bladder and as bad as this sounds, it is not as bad as a pap smear in my opinion.

So, it is always good to get a consult, and see if you can get relief. There is nothing more miserable than a UTI. And certainly, if there is a concern about a chronic condition, you would want to know.

By the way, I have seen a total of 3 urologists, and I am convinced they are all nuts. They must be some sort of crazy personality type who chooses that profession. However, I found 2 of the 3 to be good doctors. (The other guy was a total jerk.)

Good luck. I really think it would help you.

3 moms found this helpful

Sorry for the graphic info.

The way it was explained to me by my OB/GYN is that some women get them a lot more that others. It often has to do with sex. When he's on top and really going...the motion and actions he is doing makes the bladder work like a snot sucker...you know what I mean, you put it in a nostril and squish it then let it expand back out, it sucks out the snot. The bladder gets squished flat each time he...pumps. Then it expands when he moves back a bit. Therefore sucking in his sweat, his skin cells, your vaginal secretions, your skin cells, etc...makes me not want to have sex again....lol. If this may be the case you might need to think about positions. It may help.

Otherwise it could be that you just have one of those bladders. Or your kidneys may not be working well. Either case you need to ask the different urologists if they work with cases like this. They can tell you right off if they only do men or if they do women too.

My daughter got horrible bladder infections when she was pregnant. They eventually found that she had numerous kidney stones and that was what the culprits were. The urologist told her:

"If you take a gallon of sand and put in a drop of water what do you think you will get?". She didn't know and he said "a piece of gravel or rock". Then he said "What do you get when you take a gallon of water and put in a drop of sand?". She said nothing and he said that's right.

So, drink more water. Drink cranberry juice, it makes the cells in the bladder slough off therefore they don't stay around to feed an infection. Follow the docs instructions to the T and then if they don't work talk to them again. I think a urologist could really help in this situation.

3 moms found this helpful

Cranberries -- blueberries and cherries all have an enzyme in them that makes the urinary system less hospitable to infection. You can take cranberry supplements (found in the vitamin and mineral aisle) or simeply eat more of these fruits. You can buy them frozen and just toss them on a bowl of hot cereal or in with your regular cereal. You can also use dried cranberries in chicken when you cook it.

Try this receipe:
use cut-up chicken peices in about a 1/8 -1/4 cup olive oil season with salt -pepper -garlic powder and I like ground bay leaf -- add some celery and onion a handful of dried cranberries a little water and soy sauce. -- I have no measurements because I came up with this one night when I was trying to come up with a different way to cook chicken. I cook it in my elec fry pan but a pan on the stove top works too. When it's almost done top with cooked rice--the rice soaks up the meat juices and water. You can adjust the water and soy sauce.

I do think a visit to a urologist would help. My only concern would be that the doc would put you on a long term antibiotic and that would in the long run weaken your immune system.

Also drink chamomile tea --it flushes the system.

2 moms found this helpful

My father was a general Urologist for many, many years. His main patients consisted of bladder problems, kidney stones, and other ailments. It is not a waste of time. Not going to a Urologist when you have recurrent bladder infections is like not going to a gynocologist when you have recurrent yeast infections.

2 moms found this helpful

YES! See a urologist. There is something else going on. A urologist helped me with the same kind of problem. It turned out that I have interstitial cystitis.

1 mom found this helpful

I went to a urologist, and he was horrible. Was a complete waste of time, and told me the same thing I've heard for years. Cut down on chocolate, alcohol, spicy foods, drink more water, pee after sex, blaa blaa blaaa blaaa. After suffering with a hyper-sensitive urethra for YEARS, for some reason I mentioned it to an aunt of mine, and she told me about an herbal pill that her doctor in CA recommended - called "Cysta-Q". It has completely saved my life! Google it, and their website will come up. I think you can only buy it online (unless that has changed recently.) I think it's the "quercetine" (sp?) in it that does the trick. It helps flush your urethra of bacteria. I try and tell every one I know about it, because it is totally a miracle pill! I used to take 1 a day with my vitamins, and now I only take it when I feel the burning coming on. You have to buy it. It will save your life.

1 mom found this helpful

A nephrologist deals with the kidneys. Once the problem leaves the kidneys, including the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder and then beyond, down through and out the body, it becomes the urologist's turf. So yes, you need to go to a urologist.

I don't want to scare you, L., but UTI's are dangerous. One friend of mine ended up with sepsis and almost died from a UTI getting worse. And a long time friend of mine got a UTI that caused her to pass out. She snagged her foot when she fell on something and caused nerve damage. Over two years later, she is STILL in awful pain. She deals with pain pills, an electrical patch of some sort during the day just so she can cope, and sleeping pills. In the past 6 months she has found a little relief with acupuncture, but it hasn't been the magic bullet. She is looking at having to live the rest of her life like this. She is retired at least, but she can no longer drive, and walking normally is out of the question. You need help. Go find answers.

Good luck!
D.

1 mom found this helpful

I went for a complete urological work-up for the same reason.

It was absolute hell (I hated it) but it's good to rule out serious problems. You know you're in trouble when you go to a doctor's office where the waiting room is filled with elderly men. :P Urology procedures tend to be even worse for men (due to a long urethra).

My issues were ultimately resolved by going on a low-inflammation diet, eliminating coffee for awhile, and trying to balance my PH with certain supplements. It also helps me to take anti-yeast supplements.

Again, I do think it's worth it to go and rule out more serious problems.

Good luck - my heart goes out to you.

1 mom found this helpful

Years ago I was having frequent UTIs. I did go to a urologist and had and IVP which found nothing wrong. I stopped with the UTIs after a few months. Never knew what was causing them.

A urologist is an expert in the organs that produce urine; not just incontinence and vasectomies. It may be that those doctors specialize in those cases but that doesn't mean that they don't know about UTIs. Seeing a urologist is the next logical step. When you call to make an appointment the receptionists will tell you if this doctor is not the right one to see.

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter (toddler) has had frequent UTIs. To avoid antibiotics, in my research, I discovered D-Mannose (google it). It is a powder or capsule sold at Whole Foods and many other stores. From what I understand it is a natural sugar that actually attracts the e-coli that causes the UTI. When you google it you will see that tons of people that have had ongoing UTIs their entire lives have been healed without antiobiotics. It is safe to take on a daily basis. I have used it whenever my daughter has a UTI occurrence and it has been resolved within two days every time. It is pretty amazing. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Yes they should be able to help. I assume your ob/gyn went over all the usual things like peeing right after sex, drinking extra fluids, possible reactions to lube or condoms, etc.....

1 mom found this helpful

I saw a urologist for frequent UTIs...

they did an ultrasound of my kidneys, and a cystoscope to look at my bladder. all was normal.

I stayedon antibiotics for a couple of months 1 per day. I stopped drinking caffeine. I am fine now.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi--
Have you been tested for a systemic yeast infection? With all those anti-biotics it could be that it is not a bacterial infection but a fungal infection that you are experiencing. This is usually the realm of an alternative medicine practitioner--chiropractor, naturopath, etc. That would be my suggestion. Also, in Chinese medicine the bladder is typically related to fear....it may help to do some emotional work to release any fears you are holding in your body. You could check into NET (neuro-emotional technique)--physical problems that do not go away have an emotional route. NET would help you release the emotion so you can physically heal.
Good luck!
J.

1 mom found this helpful

They're the docs who specialize in/know the most about your problem. They'll also know Qs to ask and tests to run that yore GP won't... plus tips & tricks for everyday life (like going commando, foods to eat or avoid, etc.)

MOST UTIs are bottom up (sometimes literally if you have gymnastic or anal sex). Others are internal (ph off, concurrant infection, etc), or top down (originating in the kidneys, ureter, bladder... indtrsf of the urethra. Specialists will know both common & rare.

1 mom found this helpful

My friend was just telling me about her UTI issues and how she took a ton of antibiotics because non of the DRs could find anything wrong. She went to the Mayo clinic and found that she was allergic to Night Shades (tomatoes, potatoes, egg plant, peppers, etc) and once off of those all of her UTIs went away.

I get these dumb things all the time too and am allergic to the regular antibiotic prescribed for it. It's AWESOME!

Ultimately I have to be very careful on many fronts. I have to use hypo-allergetic and fragrance free soap for washing, can NEVER take a bubble bath, no playing with husband unless both of us are washed, Borax for laundry soap, pants can not be too tight (need breathing room), our hot tub is a "no no" or very little (maybe 5 minutes), and I have to drink 8 ozs of water every hour to keep majorly hydrated. I also keep cranberry juice on hand and a beer or two, both of these supposedly help get rid of UTIs.

As far as going to the Urologist, that is the doc you want to see for this. I haven't gone that route but that is what this doc is all about. I would be very uncomfortable with taking an antibiotic regularly.

Good luck!

I got a lot of UTIs in my late teens and early twenties. My physician sent me to a urologist. Much of my issue was cured with changes in my diet. It seems that black pepper was a major culprit for me - since the husk is indigestible it would pass through my bladder, scrapping the lining on the way - then my bladder would become irritated and I would get a UTI. For me, a simple diet change fixed the problem. 20+ years later, I still don't eat black pepper but occasionally.

Urologists do treat UTIs, and kidney issues, and male issues, and a host of other things dealing with the urinary system in our bodies.

Do get a referral to one and go see them. It helped me immensely.

Good Luck
God Bless

Yeah, a urologist would be the specialist to go to. Maybe look for female urology? In the meantime you can try not wearing thongs (I am not sure if you do or not), wiping front to back (again not sure if you do or not), and taking supplements such as cranberry capsules and/or grapefruit seed extract.