Causes of frequent UTIs?

[jengh]

Forgive me for TMI... I'm warning you now, get out while you still can.

 

For those of you who are left

 

Okay, I started having the problem while I was in England, maybe around September or so. I was vomiting, fever, (more) frequent migraines, all sorts of lovely symptoms... so bad to where I had to go to the ER/A&E. After running 93947 tests on me, they figured out it was a UTI. Plain and simple. Apparently, if they get bad enough, they can cause all sorts of crazy symptoms. I was given antibiotics and sent on my way.

 

I finished the round of antibiotics, and was fine for awhile... a month or so later, same thing. I've been getting them every few weeks or so since then except now the main symptom is having to pee CONSTANTLY. Occasional blood in urine. A lot of pain in that region.

 

I haven't gone on antibiotics each time, I know taking too many can really screw up your system but I'm in so much pain!

 

Does anyone know what can cause a person to have so many UTIs? I can't get in to see my doctor until next Friday or the Monday after as that's when I'm next home.

 

I was in Target yesterday and was in the bathroom for a half hour because I just kept having to pee over and over and over.

 

My water intake is high, I'm trying to flush my system... but what on earth is causing this? I mentioned it to my dr a few weeks back and she wasn't really sure either.

[rosephase]

I got them to. Sometimes it's just the way your genitals are shaped. I got them every couple of months when I was sexual active in the past. The main things that help me are. Peeing before and after sex every time. And taking this removed[/i]

 

I take one after sex. I have gone from having a UTI 3-4 times a year to having 1 every couple of years.

[dragon lady]

I have this problem too! Doctors always push the "wipe front to back and pee before and after sex." Neither seems to help at all. I feel like I'm constantly on antibiotics.

 

What I've put it down to is oral sex. When I don't receive it I'm fine, but whenever he spends a signifcant amount of time down there I get a uti. I figure it's his mouth bacteria. I also think it might be that because I never had one in my first relationship and we never had oral sex. The actual intercourse never seemed to be a problem for transferring bacteria.

 

Obviously I have no idea what the cause of yours are, but this might be something to think about/ experiment with.

[alli]

Ugh, I HATE UTIs!!! It's the worst feeling in the world! For me, I get the same feeling of having to pee constantly, even when my bladder is empty. And it is painful to try to pee when there's nothing there. It would even hurt just to bend over & pick something up off the floor. Ugh.

 

If you have one right now & you don't have antibiotics, you can get an OTC that relieves some of the symptoms but doesn't actually treat the infection. It's called AZO. Turns your pee very dark, but it seems to help me a lot. Usually doesn't really work for me until I take a second dose after a few hours.

 

I usually get them when I've had sex for the first time after a long break. If the guy isn't totally clean down there it can make things worse. Definitely helps if you both take a shower beforehand. And pee before & after sex. I guess you can also get it if you wipe from back to front because your introducing bacteria from the anal area to the urinary tract, so you're supposed to wipe from front to back.

 

If you just took antibiotics once and didn't take them again when you got the second UTI, that might be why it hasn't gone away!! Maybe the symptoms just wax & wane but you've had the UTI the whole time? Maybe the antibiotics didn't work in the first place?

 

Did you tell your Dr that you have blood in your urine at times? That can be a sign of a kidney infection, which is MUCH more serious than a UTI. If your Dr knew that, they might tell you to go to an urgent care clinic or the ER.

 

The first UTI I ever got, it turned out I was allergic to the antibiotics. What a mess that was! The infection was replaced with hives, but at least I didn't start reacting until the tale end of the antibiotic treatment.

[jengh]

Thank you for the responses!

 

I'm wiping the "right" way and all that and I pee after sex and everything else they tell you to do.

 

Ugh, it just randomly started in September! I thought it was possible that maybe it didn't go away in the first place. The antibiotic course seemed very short but I didn't question the doctor.

 

I have a Rx for antibiotics right now and have been contemplating taking another course of them. I'm just hesitant to take too many.

 

God it just hurts so badly! I'll definitely check out those links.

 

EDIT: Yeah, I told my doctor about the blood and it was determined it wasn't a kidney infection... just some sort of irritation f some sort

[alli]

Thank you for the responses!

 

Ugh, it just randomly started in September! I thought it was possible that maybe it didn't go away in the first place. The antibiotic course seemed very short but I didn't question the doctor.

 

I have a Rx for antibiotics right now and have been contemplating taking another course of them. I'm just hesitant to take too many.

 

The prescriptions are typically pretty short. My last one was only 4 days. Maybe they are prescribing the same medication, over & over to you & it just isn't very effective for your body? Maybe try a different type of med? I know there's at least 2 different types because I am allergic to the ones with sulfa in them, and there are other antibiotics that treat UTIs that don't have sulfa in them.

 

Yeah, it's good not to overdo it on antibiotics, but I think it can be dangerous not treating a UTI. I'll hold out & resist antibiotics on colds & sinus infections but a UTI will bring me to my knees, begging for an antibiotic! It's one of the few times I wouldn't think twice about taking.

 

I hope they get that figured out for you!!

[jengh]

The prescriptions are typically pretty short. My last one was only 4 days. Maybe they are prescribing the same medication, over & over to you & it just isn't very effective for your body? Maybe try a different type of med? I know there's at least 2 different types because I am allergic to the ones with sulfa in them, and there are other antibiotics that treat UTIs that don't have sulfa in them.

 

Yeah, it's good not to overdo it on antibiotics, but I think it can be dangerous not treating a UTI. I'll hold out & resist antibiotics on colds & sinus infections but a UTI will bring me to my knees, begging for an antibiotic! It's one of the few times I wouldn't think twice about taking.

 

I hope they get that figured out for you!!

 

Good point. I have a course of the sulfa ones filled in my medicine cabinet and I was warned they leave a gross taste in your mouth so that alone has made me hesitant but you're totally right... The pain alone is making me want to die. I can't go ANYWHERE without a bathroom within 20 feet. Bleugh.

[alli]

Good point. I have a course of the sulfa ones filled in my medicine cabinet and I was warned they leave a gross taste in your mouth so that alone has made me hesitant but you're totally right... The pain alone is making me want to die. I can't go ANYWHERE without a bathroom within 20 feet. Bleugh.

 

And you are on antibiotics right now?

[renaissancewoman101]

Good luck with the yeast infection issue.

 

I had that issue crop up a few times, when I was sexually active. At first I thought I had an STD, but when I went and got tested, it turned out to be a yeast infection.

 

Have you thought about drinking cranberry juice diluted with water? I know cranberry juice helps with infections "down there".

[jengh]

And you are on antibiotics right now?

 

No, it just crept up on me yesterday but it's a bad one. I couldn't sleep last night because I was getting up every 2.5 minutes to not pee.

 

I have the filled Rx from a few months ago (it had refills so I figured I'd refill it just in case).

[thathoopla]

I remember reading something about you having some other pelvic issues...maybe it is related to that. After going to England your body might have been weakened.

[alli]

No, it just crept up on me yesterday but it's a bad one. I couldn't sleep last night because I was getting up every 2.5 minutes to not pee.

 

I have the filled Rx from a few months ago (it had refills so I figured I'd refill it just in case).

 

I would take it. I would also go to Walmart & pick up some AZO.

[Mercurial Girl]

Ugh...I used to get them at the drop of a hat, as in a couple times a week! Now I just drink a "shot" of 100% cranberry juice (not the watered down apple/pear juice stuff). I used to hate the taste cause it's so tart, but now I kinda enjoy it.

 

I get WAY better results from the juice than pills, but I also make sure to wear only cotton panties, and pee before and after sex. I haven't had a UTI in 5 months now, which is HUGE for me... for 5 years they have been so incredibly frequent.

 

This is what I get link removed

 

You can add it to smoothies or cut it with water or club soda instead, but honestly it starts tasting good on its own after a while

[Sanesoul]

Get a new doctor. This is not normal Jen, and you need a second opinion.

[jengh]

Get a new doctor. This is not normal Jen, and you need a second opinion.

 

This is just going off of the UK/Urgent Care doctors. My primary practitioner is fantastic. I just need to get up to her. She's 4 hours away. I can't find a replacement as good as she is. Bah.

 

I'm calling tomorrow to make an appt though.

 

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback.

[annie24]

Do you take mannose pills? you should start. it might help.

[jengh]

Do you take mannose pills? you should start. it might help.

 

I don't....What do they do? (I'm going to google right now, but personal feedback helps as well)

[annie24]

mannose is a type of sugar. basically, it will help prevent UTIs. E. coli is one of the biggest causes of UTIs. E. coli will bind to your ureter and colonize. Mannose is a type of sugar and E. coli will bind that instead of your body, and will be easier to pee out. that's the basics of it.

 

i would give it a try. you can buy it at a health food store.

[jengh]

mannose is a type of sugar. basically, it will help prevent UTIs. E. coli is one of the biggest causes of UTIs. E. coli will bind to your ureter and colonize. Mannose is a type of sugar and E. coli will bind that instead of your body, and will be easier to pee out. that's the basics of it.

 

i would give it a try. you can buy it at a health food store.

 

Okay, this might sound EXTREMELY dumb of me... and i feel stupid for asking but.... would too much sushi do this to me?

[annie24]

do what to you? give you a UTI? doubt it.

 

I agree with the poster who said it's probably the shape of your body down there. you might just be more susceptible to it than others. it really shouldn't have much to do with your food intake. though i do hear some say to cut down on sugar consumption while you have a UTI so as to not provide nice glucose for the bacteria.

 

The mannose is good though. give it a try.

 

when you were diagnosed before with the UTIs, did they tell you what species of bacteria it was?

[Cognitive_Canine]

Do you pee directly after sex?

 

I ask because that's actually a main cause of UTI's and it started when you were out with your gentlemen friend.

[jengh]

Do you pee directly after sex?

 

I ask because that's actually a main cause of UTI's and it started when you were out with your gentlemen friend.

 

Yep, every single time (something about it makes me have to pee haha).

 

Although, they occur even when bf and I are apart...blah.

[Cognitive_Canine]

Yep, every single time (something about it makes me have to pee haha).

 

Although, they occur even when bf and I are apart...blah.

 

Well, that's good.

 

Do you think that this is the same infection that has never properly been eradicated or separate infections that keep popping up?

[Equinox_84]

Hey I'm a microbiologist...Cranberry extracts are clinically proven to help but you have to eat real cranberries every day ... not those sugary drinks they sell in the shop, health shops sell tablets but it only works if you take one supplement a day.. it can be pretty expensive... if you suffer from recurrent UTI's then you need to speak to your Dr about perhaps taking a small dose of antibiotics such as Trimethoprim daily or taking a does prior to intercourse (as intercourse is usually introduces the bugs into normally sterile sites)

 

Anything else like wearing cotton pants, taking mannose is myth... yes e.coli do bind to mannose but no studies suggest that they will preferentially bind to mannose in urine ... also you will probably absorb the sugar as fat rather than pee a whole load out

 

UTI are very common and at least 50% of all women report AT LEAST one episode ..mostly not serious ..but annoying!

[Equinox_84]

P.s. the small dose of antibiotics works very well for most people