UTI’s

The only thing someone suggested to me was cranberry juice. ?

My friend's elderly mother had frequent UTIs, with the accompanying confusion and fatigue. Medications made her feel ill and she ended up on constant low dose antibiotics.

She started having some Kefir every day (just a small glassful on her cereal) and hasn't had one since - despite stopping the meds!

I had frequent bouts of this too. Finally had investigation (huge fun?). And was told I had inflammation of the bladder and to cut out caffeine and alcohol.which I have apart from odd glass of wine. I think that has helped.

Good lord, there’s little worse than UTIs, is there
No advice I’m afraid, Jabbot, but you have my sympathies

I can recommend KEFIR as well. It’s a probiotic made from fermented milk. The Turkish name means long life or good life. I drink a small glass every day.
If the taste is not to your liking, you can buy flowered varieties now. Morrison’s and Asda sell it.

Flavored - not flowered. ?

Hot water bottle helps

Kefir tastes vile but is a strong probiotic. It will help you build back good bacteria after antibiotics too

Oh Jabbot, it’s wretched isn’t it.

I have chest/lung issues, which results in a lot of coughing ... and you can imagine the rest.
I make myself drink lots of water, but as you’ve said, you're already doing that.

I am surprised you’re not seeing some improvement by now. Perhaps a call to your GP to ask about a different antibiotic?

I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. Try to do something to lift your spirits, because it can be depressing. Good luck and let us know how things go. ?

Cranberry juice has no effect whatsoever. Sounds as if the ab's you have been put on are not effective against whatever infection you have. Your GP should have had a sample tested and should be changing you to a different ab quickly.
Do keep drinking plenty of water, even though you will feel reluctant to do so.
Have had these horrible things for many years, they got more frequent a few years ago and a locum GP did suggest I used Vagifem. Started on a dose of twice daily, slowly reducing down. Much to my astonishment these really helped. Ask your GP about this.
When I was getting these virtually continuously for a few weeks, despite using ab's (six different ones in five weeks), I asked for a referral to Urology at the local hospital. There it was discovered that I had a small growth in my bladder - very speedy follow-up, and operation to remove that (it was benign). Since then (two years ago), only had one UTI and that was during particularly stressful time in my home move.
Forget the many (and usually ineffective)home cures. Keep in close contact with your GP surgery and do not let them fob you off.

I have a vague memory of my nan saying that boiling pearl barley and drinking the water helps with this kind of thing. So maybe drink a squash that has barley water in it and see if that may help. Hoping you feel better soon.

jabbott cranberry juice is a myth I am afraid. I have recurring had UTIs and kidney infections since September last year. Been on the waiting list since March to speak to an urologist. Luckily haven't had one since May.

I have had 16 courses of antibiotics and found depending how quickly you can get the antibiotics how quickly you feel better. But until you finish the whole course you won't feel better in my experience.

A nurse gave me a tip . When sitting on the toilet make sure your knees and hips are at the same height that way you empty your bladder completely. I use my grandson's step which he uses to reach the sink to wash his hands. It's worth a try.

Everytime I had one and emptied my bladder I drank a glass of water.

Hopefully they tested your urine sample before the antibiotics and have asked for another sample once the course is finished to check it has cleared up. Twice the second sample showed I still had an infection and they changed the antibiotics. Which cleared it up.

Hope this helps.

I went through a long nasty bout of these horrid things about 5 years ago. One after another, so debilitating . What helped me clear them up were:
Paracetamol & MacroBID antibiotic
No caffeine drinks of any kind
Very Occasional wine
No underwear, when you can, if your not comfortable doing it when outside. I got used to it and not worn any for about 5 years now. No problems ever.
Cold flannels on the vaginal area: bliss
Use a flannel not loo paper for wiping after a pee (lots of them contain bleaching agents)
Cut out sex for a while & when resume make sure you pee straight afterwards every time… sorry no after cuddles until you’ve done this
Keep drinking water and cranberry juice
Kefir is available flavoured now
No sugar in or on anything. Sorry no doughnuts!
Lots of probiotics yoghurts in your diet
When you are well again make sure you always empty every bit of pee from your bladder
Never use anything except Aqueous cream in the shower ; big pots available everywhere

It’s a life long vigil for me, but has been worth it.
Good luck, I hope some of my hard got tips work for you.

VioletSky

Kefir tastes vile but is a strong probiotic. It will help you build back good bacteria after antibiotics too

Don’t agree about the taste ! Plus I use it as a base for fruit smoothie

Lucca maybe I need to try a different brand then, it tastes awful to me!

I have only one fully functioning kidney and had recurring UTI’s, it got to the point that I had about 5 days between finishing a course of antibiotics and starting with another infection.

Here’s what I did,I bought urine testing strips online, lots of bicarbonate of soda and D-Mannose tablets.

I had a course of acupuncture to stimulate my spleen to fight infection and to make sure everything was working properly!

I took 1 D Mannose a day and if I felt an infection coming on, I tested my urine and upped the dose to 3 or 4 a day.
The bicarbonate of sodas neutralises the urine so it prevents the sting and burn you can get, just dissolve a teaspoon in a little water morning and evening.

I have not had an infection for over 3 years, I feel like a different person, the amount of antibiotics were frightening me, sepsis is on the increase and the last thing anyone needs is a resistance to antibiotics..

There are many articles on D Mannose, it’s worth researching.

VioletSky

Lucca maybe I need to try a different brand then, it tastes awful to me!

I’m sure to some it will taste bad but just blitz it up with fruit eg banana and blueberries and it is delicious !

To help prevent future UTI's ask your GP about oestrogen pessaries.

After you finish the antibiotic wait 2 days , get a urine sample, insist on it being tested
I found it imperative to get the right meds
I can’t drink any caffeine now , and plain water is so boring

I tried the D mannose , it did zilch for me

VioletSky

Lucca maybe I need to try a different brand then, it tastes awful to me!

If you buy/obtain some grains you can make your own.
We have had kefir since the 1970s and all you do is pour milk on it one day and strain it the next.

The "grains" are like small cauliflower florets and are squishy like rubber.

Ours is thick and creamy like a milkshake but will get sharp and tangy if you leave it a few days (say, unexpectedly away).
When we go away we put it in the fridge and in 2 days it's usually recovered and is itself again.

That's interesting Notspaghetti, I had a Herman growing for a long time until my husband decided he'd had enough of it taking up the worktop (he is the better cook and I'm the better Baker).

I'll look into it

I also think, like aggie that insisting on testing is important. If they don't want to bother I'd ask about paying for it privately. I have done this with other things and they usually say "oh that's ok I'll do it".

Jabbott, it has already been mentioned, but worth speaking to your GP about Vagifem vaginal pessaries. It may not be the answer for you but for me it has been a godsend. I was reluctant to use them initially but so glad I have them!