U T I's

I had several urine infections a few years ago- so many I could feel a sort of full up feeling in my eyes when one was about to start. I found Uva Ursi ( Bearberry) tablets from Holland and Barrett helped the best, antibiotics seemed to make feel worse, and didn't stop the infections coming back. I also drank cranberry juice, barley water and plenty of it. Hard when you feel lousy and going to the loo is very painful I know. I also don't leave it too long to go for a wee, try to stick to cotton knickers( may or may not help!). Another friend found some sachets in H n B years ago that you mix with water and take as soon as symptoms start, but they may have been superseded by all things cranberry now, but she really suffered and they did help. Be aware about taking natural stuff as well as medication from the docs, best not to mix as they can be similar in content or do the same job differently. The UVA Ursi worked for me, but we are all different.It's a horrible miserable, condition, and I do hope you pick up soon Auntieflo.

Trimethoprim I had taken a few times and it was wonderful - suddenly another time, I came out in enormous red hives! The doctor said they were probably made in a different factory as the excuse! Never took them again but something else but now?- don't want to say more especially as I broke a mirror a couple of days ago!

I have had only a couple of UTIs but they were agony. I was prescribed Trimethoprim and was violently sick for 24hrs and couldn't eat anything but toast for a week. I'm grateful to all of you for the alternatives you've suggested and very sorry for those who suffer regularly.

Fellow sufferer here over more years than I can remember, UTIs are my achilles heel! Have been checked by a urinary consultant, scans etc but thankfully all clear. I have been taking a daily dose of 1/2 Cefalexin antibiotic at night for past year, but have decided to stop them now as I worry about resistance. Seeing the GP next week to check it's ok to do that. Such a common conplaint amongst us maturing ladies and yet such a nuisance! Hope you feel better soon

Auntieflo - the two hormonal vaginal creams contain estriol (a type of oestrogen) - one is called just that and the other has the brand name of Ovestin. It should be applied daily for at least two weeks in the first instance and thereafter a maintenance dose of twice weekly indefinitely to keep things comfortable. Much better to use (locally ie vaginally) this than have to rely on (oral) drugs if possible I would say - as it is a "natural" remedy in the sense that it is a hormone produced by your body at times.

Surely your doctor should request a urine sample to send away to be tested? Only then can he prescribe the correct antibiotic that will kill the germs that you have. (This can only be done if you stop taking the antibiotics already prescribed.)

I am on a permanent prophylactic daily dose of Neurofurantoin and don't feel any side effects, but a few days on Trimethoprim gives me horrible itchy lumps on my lower legs

Volvariella, thank you.
The undercarriage is a nuisance as you age. When I read your advice, I remembered that a short while before my two UTI's , I had been prescribed a (probably) hormonal cream . I had only used it once, but shall try it again tonight. It's only to be used twice a week, and it's having to remember something new, and what with delving around the nether regions, not something I relish.

If you are post-menopause then recurrent UTIs can be as a result of untreated vaginal atrophy so long term use of vaginal oestrogen is recommended to keep things healthy down there. It plumps up the tissues and changes the acidity to help make it less likely for infections to develop.

Thank you all for your comments. I am now on the second day of the different antibiotics, and touch wood, have had no side effects from them, so am hopeful that the infection will clear up. One tablet tonight, then two during the day tomorrow, fingers crossed.

When I used to get recurrent UTIs, I tried D mannose, expensive, but it really does work, and can be taken prophylactically as prevention. And no nasty side effects either.

This is a really miserable condition. I agree with loopyloo, get a specimen sent off from your GP. You may not even need to see a GP, I just fill in a simple form with the specimen and get it to the surgery by mid day. I usually get a call two days later to say that the appropriate antibiotic has been prescribed and there is a prescription waiting. The secret is to act as soon as the first symptoms appear and take an antibiotic that is going to work.

Have had lots of uti s. Has your doctor sent off a specimen for culture and sensitivity? Then he she would be able to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic. Wish you luck.

D D used to suffer a lot of cystitis. She found a bath with a few drops of tea tree helped prevent it.

I think doctors could have been advised to prescribe a shorter or milder dose of antibiotics for UTIs. They're getting more cautious about overuse these days. Because of increasing tolerance.
I've had problems in the past, always given at least 5 days of ABs. After a long time free of the problem it recurred recently and my Dr. prescribed a one dose powder, which seems to have helped.

I have recently had Cystitis ,and was given Trimethoprim as a 3 day course which didnt clear it
I am now on Neurofurantoin, 7 day course and had no side effects from either,but i never read side effects either,or i might not have taken them, i am feeling better after only 2 days
I hope you feel better soon

Although these drugs like many others can cause side effects they are usually taken quite well and cure the problem. If you are at all unwell or have side effects you should ring your GP.