Building up my immune system.

I love full cream greek yogurt. I think that really helps our gut flora after a tummy upset.

Avoid your small and snotty grandchildren! Which is easier said than done.
I don't think my recent nasties have been much to with with the little ones and when faced with a poorly little one we are programmed to give them a cuddle.

In my attempts to stay well I use Yeo natural yogurt, mineral and vitamin supplements, vitamin D3, and most important of all wolfberries which are also known as goji berries.
I am told I should be using more sauerkraut but I can only manage to get a tablespoon down occasionally.

DD says that a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in water every so often helps to alkalise the body.
Now, some people may disagree with this and say the body alkalises itself naturally, but some others say that the bacteria thrive more in an acid environment which the bicarb neutralises.
Keeping to a more alkaline diet could help too.

UTIs I have suffered on and off over the years.

in my view 3 things could cause it:
1) Not drinking enough fluid if I drink coffee I make sure to have a water chaser.
2) Making sure your nether regions are thoughly rinsed when taking a shower don't leave any soap/shower gel knocking
about
3) After going to the toilet (number 2s) be ultra careful not to get excrement near the vagina as ecoli exists quite harmlessly in
the bowel, but will give you a Uti. As
someone else said d mannose is the stuff
for this infection as e coli clings to it and
washes away. Also if you have a sexual partner they must wash themself and also thoroughly rinse beforehand

I believe following this regime keeps you germ free

Ginny that's very good advice.

That should be "homeopathic" (practitioner).

Hi kitty sorry that you're ill again. I'd try homeopathy too if I were you, whether you believe in it or not - what have you got to lose?

I can only speak from experience and the classically trained homeopath practitioner I go to, is a gem. I always come away from there feeling great, because I've talked about myself and my troubles for an hour, very therapeutic and therefore immune building in itself I wouldn't go to a homeopath if I had a broken leg of course, but for a constitutional remedy, definitely.

Also 're acupuncture, I had a very badly swollen knee (twisted it), in the week before a 10k walk I had promised to do with my daughter, and in desperation I went to an acupuncturist and lo and behold my knee was in walking shape two days later. I'm a convert now.

I'm biased as a homeopath, but homeopathy can boost your immune system and reduce the number of UTIs.

After a series of UTIs and many courses of anti-biotics over an 18 month period I was very low. The blood tests showed white cells each time, but even after 3 scans the consultant and the GP could only recommend more anti biotics or low dose HRT. I had to take charge of my recovery. I take a cranberry forte tablet(Boots)first thing every morning with a gap of two days per pack. Packs are designed to tell you when to take a day's break. I also take the optibac pro biotic for women mentioned by others every day. I use Canistan wash gel.

I stopped coffee and tea for a long time and drink a lot of water. If I feel the discomfort I drink lots of water right away. 20 mins later, another large glass full. If I want a hot drink I have an organic chocolate containing no sugar which says Andean superfood on the packet. It contains magnesium and iron. No more palpitations and I have boundless energy again.

I also have acupuncture for wellbeing and booster points for the immune system. I wouldn't say it's helped with the water works though.

UTIs can have very serious consequences,so please do find a solution. I've kept the letters from the hospital and told my daughter if I suddenly start speaking nonsense to call for an appointment with the urologist.

Take care and I hope you feel better soon.

You could try and find a tai-chi or Qigong class. Qigong is a series of exercises which are said to improve your immune system. I've had some colds this year thanks to germy GCs but they have lifted quickly.
You can buy pro-biotics in tablet form with vitamins,

Ask for the full results of your blood test, lowered neutrophil count could mean your immune system is low.
You could have a low-grade infection which has never totally gone away and which needs treatment.

Organic pro-biotic yogurt such as Yeo or Rachel's can be improved by adding berries, either fresh or frozen (thawed!) which also boost the immune system. Otherwise pro-biotic capsules or powders from a health food shop may be stronger and have a quicker effect.
Add nuts and seeds too for a boost.

Vitamin D - we do not get enough in this country! And vitamin C with zinc along with a multi vitamin as they are rarely strong enough to have much effect if supplies are really depleted

After two UTI's in a short space of time I bought some D Mannose powder. When I was on holiday last time I felt that I was starting to get another UTI so took the D Mannose for a few days and it cleared it. I now take it just every so often. Optibac also do a pro biotic that targets that area. I'm also obsessively taking my turmeric in the form of a drink plus adding it to soup.

Why not treat yourself!! ????

I'd better start again DB - pronto - before I snog the milkman!!

Well there's the answer!
Alcohol is a great disinfectant and preservative, the bugs don't stand a chance??

Thank you all.

I had blood tests a short while ago when I was having palpitations and feeling 'funny' - I forgot those in my litany of woe!!

That was when I stopped drinking (!!!) and I've not been well since!

kitty
Time to start putting yourself first and give your body time to recover.

Kitty since a foot op in september
I have had similar to you, a coughs cystits, conjunctivitis.
So last week went to the doctors and requested blood tests.
I'm waiting on the results
A few years ago my blood test showed a problem with white blood cells.

So just wondering if you have had any blood test done by your GP?

Eat a healthy diet, get enough exercise but don't overdo it, keep rested and, probably most important of all, try to keep happy. Perhaps one multi-vit a week.

But really, when bugs come along, there's bugger-all you can do about it.

I think it is true that taking antibiotics lowers your immune system at the same time as fighting the infection for which they have been prescribed. I seem to remember that from when the children were young and one ear infection/thrust infection followed another.
Yes, probiotics have to be the road to go down. The live yogurt is an easy and pleasant route to follow, but perhaps Echinacea might be good too (ask at somewhere like Holland and Barrett) and of course Cranberry juice against Cystitis etc.
Another less cheerful idea is that whatever anti-b you had might not have totally cleared previous UTI's, but just suppressed them and a CHANGE of med might be called for. Would your GP agree to a blood test to make sure your white blood cell count is not still raised?
Other than that, you need to avoid others with bugs! Wear gloves when handling books in the library, stop snogging the milkman kissing friends and family if they have the suggestion of a sniffle and increase your vitamin intake!! ???

If you find it kitty can you see if mine is there as well? It vanished in March and hasn't been seen since.

Are you drinking plenty of water, tea etc. Also re the UTIs do make sure you completely empty your bladder when you wee.

Lots of thorough hand washing too.

I'm in roughly the same situation as you kitty . I had an upper UTI a few weeks ago and now it's back and no appointments available today! I had a bad reaction to the last antibiotics so in a way I am reluctant to have them again. I must now stock up on the biopics. Good luck kitty