UTI’s

Hi finally starting to feel better, turns out infection had spread to one kidney this time! I’ve googled D Mamose - I’m thinking prevention better than cure - & I’m at a loss as to which to buy, which did you use

About the "squat" toilet position - when we visited family and friends in America a couple of them had these:

www.stressnomore.co.uk/squattypotty-slim-with-teak-finish-11111.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ouKBhC5ARIsAHXNMI__RJnAKdNoSvsvEeegTZekSsMkLZ2VnpO4e45Us2n4icb59zXPN-IaAkGtEALw_wcB

Plastic or wood, we saw both.
They help you put your body in the correct position for a fuller evacuation of both bowel and bladder.

A few years ago, a retired urology nurse told us that one of the reasons that women are more likely to get UTI's than men is the way we pee.

Men, of course stand up to do so, and thereby gravity helps to ensure that they completely empty their bladders.

Women, not only sit down, but in many cases we then bend over forward whilst doing so. This means that we do not fully empty our bladders and that is the reason that infections build up and take over.

So, once you have dealt with any current infection, try sitting up - straight back whilst on the loo, and even use a small step - the kind of thing we give our g.children when they are first going from potties to toilets - put your feet on them and keep back bolt upright.

The sugar in the Cranberry juice is an irritant.
It should not be consumed if you have an infection..
My Urologist said it was a huge NO!

Correction:
It is presumably in a concentrated form

D-Mannose can be extracted from cranberries but must be in a concentrated form.
It is found in other fruits and vegetables too.

jabbott A friend's husband who has a permanent catheter used to get repeated infections until I gave him some of my D Mannose. Since then he takes it regularly and has not had another infection or needed more antibiotics. It's great stuff.

Good luck.

Thank you for all your suggestions. I’ve called GP who asked for another sample & yes infection still very much there so has prescribed another antibiotic. She also prescribed Ovastin cream.
Think I may also invest in some Kefir & DManose. This is the third infection I’ve had in four months, so definitely up for trying alternative solutions

Probiotics to repopulate the good bacteria that have been destroyed by previous antibiotics. Best to take capsules or drink kefir. The yoghurts have too much sugar.

D-Mannose is excellent.

Cranberry juice doesn't work and is a myth.

Daily, half glass of cranberry juice…

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!

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".

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

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.

I tried the D mannose , it did zilch for me

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

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

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 !

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.