Confused about UTI treatment

Thank you all. Plenty to think about and explore. midgey, about a week ago, I changed my shampoo and a UTI days later. May be a coincidence but also could well be the reason.

Diamondlace that’s definitely worth following up!

I used to get them all the time. A GP told me to buy D-Manoose as it’s not available on the NHS. Used it only once and luckily haven’t had a UTI since. It sits in my medicine drawer unused and from time to time I check the use by date and buy fresh supplies just in case. That’s about ten years ago. Ask your GP about it,

Ask your GP about Vagifem vaginal tablets - game changer!!!

Diamondlace The reason we were told to wash our hands as a precaution against Covid was because soap breaks down viruses (not bacteria).

The science of soap
“Soap is a surface-active agent (or surfactant for short),” explains Dan. “These substances are special in that they have a hydrophobic (water-hating) part, as well as a hydrophilic (water-loving) part. We regard these structures has having a ‘head’ (normally the hydrophilic bit), and a ‘tail’ (normally the hydrophobic bit).

“When we mix these molecules with water, they exist in two main forms: either on their own, or in groups, which we call micelles. Micelles are spherical structures within which all of the tails face inwards, away from the water, and all of the heads face outwards, coming into contact with water. If there is enough of the soap, this is the form that it likes the most, as it is the most energetically favourable, and all the parts of the molecule are exactly where they want to be.”

So what happens when these micelles interact with the coronavirus?

“When we look at the structure of the coronavirus in more detail, we see that it is surrounded in a phospholipid layer – a structure which consists of lots of molecules which are not unlike those within soap,” says Dr Corbett.

“In the case of the virus, this coat is actually a bilayer – consisting of two layers of these phospholipids with tails facing in, and heads facing out. When we wash our hands with soap and water, the tails of the soap molecules start to look for an area where there isn’t any water, and as they do so, they start to surround the virus particles. As they continue to move around, the tails can wedge themselves into the virus’ outer layer, trying to get to the bit in the middle, where there is no water. This effect is similar to popping a balloon with a pin. As the soap molecule penetrates into the virus coat, it splits it apart, breaking the virus open, releasing its contents into the surrounding soapy water, which eventually carries them away,” says Dr Corbett.

www.qub.ac.uk/coronavirus/analysis-commentary/how-soap-kills-covid-19-virus/#:~:text=This%20effect%20is%20similar%20to,away%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Dr%20Corbett.

I'm not a medic or scientist, but my guess is that soap has little effect on genital bacteria, but the contents of soap could be an irritant.

I take D-Mannose every day to help prevent reoccurrence of uti’s. My daughter told me about this as a colleague had been told to take it by her consultant. If you look it up on the web you will see research showing that use of it produces similar results to the prescribing of continual antibiotics. It is a natural product but prevents the clinging of bacteria to the walls of the urinary tract. I get mine from Amazon. I like the capsules produced by Natural Answers. There are other options. I take 3 a day in a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice.You can read reviews on there as well. You will see that it has been recommended by other hospital consultants.As for washing I have used Aqueous cream for years which my doctor is satisfied with.

Thank you. I have now ordered D Mannose from Amazon. So much great advice here from fellow sufferers. Plenty to try. X

Recurring UTI's can be a symptom of diabetes, have you been checked for that? Also they used to say a small daily glass of pure cranberry juice. Helps keep the urinary tract clear of the bacteria that causes them

If you won't make the effort to drink water which let's agree is boring you can get the fluid into you with fizzy drinks. You may like a glass of half fizzy drink and half tap water.

Or just tea as weak as you like.

Fizzy drink plus milk is quite nice.

62Granny Yes I have been checked for diabetes as the doc also said that it was a possible cause. Blood tests were normal. I can now go months between attacks but they tend to cluster i.e. one after another with dip tests showing infection but cultures always "no significant growth" apart from a couple that showed up E Coli. Very frustrating! Thank you for your advice.

Caleo Thanks. I do drink a fair bit throughout the day and I actually like a glass of water. My UTIs mostly manifest first thing in the morning after a few hours without drinking or a visit to the loo. Might try downing a glass of water before bed and see if that helps. Having just had a UTI, I am desperate to prevent another.

Diamondlace I have every sympathy as I have been a sufferer for years and chronic UTI is a poorly understand condition and difficult to get a GP or even some Urologists to take the condition seriously. Chronic UTI is different in nature from the cystitis which many women will experience once or twice in a lifetime. It is extremely persistent.
I have been lucky to see a knowledgeable urologist, and have also been recommended a website. cutic.co.uk. which I have found very informative.

I can highly recommend D Mannose too.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Farzanah Thanks. The site looks very useful. It helps to know I'm not alone.

sharon103 I have ordered some D Mannose and am hopeful about their success given how many people have recommended them. Can I please ask if you take your's constantly or only when you feel a UTI brewing?

I take it every day and if I ever feel anything is brewing I increase the dose for one or even two days.

Lovetopaint037 Great thanks. Mine arrive tomorrow so will try your regime. Fingers crossed. X

I suffered for years with UTI’s, I only have 1 functioning kidney so I need to be careful.
I was nearly permanently on antibiotics, they were making me so ill.
I had a few sessions of acupuncture to stimulate my spleen to fight infection and started taking D Mannose.
I have just 1 course of antibiotics in about 5 years.
I take a D Mannose daily and triple the dose if I feel an infection coming.

Diamondlace

Thank you for the input ladies. Some great advice here. Lizy, I did wonder about VA but had internal with swabs taken and again, told everything was fine. Would the swab and exam have picked up VA if it is that?

If it was uncomfortable getting swabs taken then it maybe you have VA. I would try a different gp and ask about ovestin or vagifem. It could be a game changer for you.