I am almost 18 years old as well..for the past 7 months i have gotten a uti, sometime my doctor says i have one and sometime my doctor said i didn't. i went to other doctors and they said i did have one the times th other doctor said i didn't. i believe that i just haven't been treated correctly or for a long enough period. my last uti this last Monday i was hospitalized because the pain was so severe. i have a appointment with a urologist this week and i was hoping someone would have some words of wisdom for me.
I use to get UTI's all the time. A dr once told me to pee standing up. That when we sit to urinate it slightly bends our urethra. Where bacteria can collect and stick to the wall and create an infection. Well I don't know about you but I am not talented enough to pee standing up and not wear it. I asked him exactly how do I do that.. He replied in the shower. Yes gross. I had a hard time with that. But I do it every day. Urine is sterile. Needless to say I clean my shower very often. Also I was told not to use soap on my nether regions. Use warm water and my hand to make sure there is nothing on the outer and inner labia or surrounding the clitoris. Very personal I know. But the dyes and or perfumes in soaps can irritate sensitive skin in that area which can lead to infections. Since I started doing this I haven't had a problem. Also scented sanitary products are a big no no. My 5 year old daughter is suffering from this problem. I can't seem to get her free of them. So there might be other issues at play. She has had a vcug to check for reflux and has had her kidneys xrayed and she is fine. The urologist even looked at her urethra to make she it wasnt deformed. He just looked at the out side. SOme of you might want to look into that. If it is slightly deformed it could be the cause. It could hold onto bacteria helping it to grow regardless of how well you clean.
im 18 i have been having the same problem i have had about 15 this year alone. i had surgrie when i was little beacuse of it. everytime i go to the dr she gives me leviaqan. which makes it go away for about a week and then comes back. i was told it could be beacuse im sexualy active but me and my boyfriend can go two weeks without having sex and i still get it. it dont matter how much cranberry jucie i drink or pills i take it just wont go away. if anyone can point me in the direction of what it could be please let me know.
i have suffered from chronic UTI and i found a cure that completely eliminated the problem:
when you have an infection - don't take antibiotics. take the following herbs (they come in 500 mg capsules and can be purchased in health food stores). take this 3 or 4 times a day for 2 weeks:
2 x uva ursi
1 x marshmallow
1 x golden seal
this should take care of the infection. for prevention - keep on taking the uva ursi and the marshmallow. reduce the dose gradually until you go down to once a day and keep on taking that for as long as you feel the need. i suffered from frequent infections for 5 or 6 years. after treating a couple infections with the herbs i decided to take them on a regular basis and the infections stopped. i took one dose a day for about 2 years and finally i stopped completely. the infections never recurred for 20 years.
when you have an infection - don't take antibiotics. take the following herbs (they come in 500 mg capsules and can be purchased in health food stores). take this 3 or 4 times a day for 2 weeks:
2 x uva ursi
1 x marshmallow
1 x golden seal
this should take care of the infection. for prevention - keep on taking the uva ursi and the marshmallow. reduce the dose gradually until you go down to once a day and keep on taking that for as long as you feel the need. i suffered from frequent infections for 5 or 6 years. after treating a couple infections with the herbs i decided to take them on a regular basis and the infections stopped. i took one dose a day for about 2 years and finally i stopped completely. the infections never recurred for 20 years.
when you have an active infection take the following herbs in capsule form (available in health stores) 3 or 4 times a day for 2 weeks:
2 x uva ursi
1 x marshmallow
1 x golden seal
for prevention, keep on taking the
2 x uva ursi
1 x marshmallow
and gradually reduce to once a day. if you have chronic UTI - don't stop taking the herbs for at least 1 year.
i suffered from constant UTI for 6 years. the doctor told me to take antibiotics on a daily basis, so i looked for an alternative remedy, and found this. after taking these herbs on a regular basis for 2 years i stopped taking them altogether and never suffered from UTI again.
2 x uva ursi
1 x marshmallow
1 x golden seal
for prevention, keep on taking the
2 x uva ursi
1 x marshmallow
and gradually reduce to once a day. if you have chronic UTI - don't stop taking the herbs for at least 1 year.
i suffered from constant UTI for 6 years. the doctor told me to take antibiotics on a daily basis, so i looked for an alternative remedy, and found this. after taking these herbs on a regular basis for 2 years i stopped taking them altogether and never suffered from UTI again.
I'm a chronic UTI sufferer. My homeopathic pharmacist really stressed that improving my immune system would help my whole body fight these infections. Consider looking into immune boosting foods and supplements (like the vitamin C that's been recommended & vitamin D). Also, to balance the flora in your nether-regions, consistently take a large dose of high quality probiotics. I've had luck w/ a UvaUrsa/Marshmallow tea everyday (makes me pee a lot, but no painful urination and the pee is light/clear... it's important to keep fluids moving through your system to cleanse).
Vitamin C has been proven to INcrease the bioavailability of oral contraceptives. Vitamin C will not cause any problems at all if taken with birth control pills.
I have had chronic utis after the birth of my two children and just had my urethra stretched- didn't help- I was told that drinking cranberry juice was not good by my urologist to much acid! They gave me cranberry chewables, which helped about 6 months and then I got it again- so i got a bladder scan and the Postvoid residual (PVR) measurement and I am not urinating all the pee my bladder is holding! I just got this test done yesterday soo I will see!
I'm on my third lot of antibiotics now and slowly getting peed off with it.
My first problem was kidney pain and the doctor never checked my urine as he came to visit me at home and just prescribed antibiotics (Trimethoprim) which I completed the course and the pain came back again so I saw a different doctor at a walk-in centre and she tested my urine in which there was blood and leukocytes so she gave me another seven days of a different and stronger antibiotic (Cefalexin) and the kidney pains went only to be replaced with pains in the lower left abdomen, close to my groin area which started after I urinated. These pains seem to have gone now as I am on the last day of my antibiotics (Co-amoxiclav).
But yesterday evening as I was eating my sunday dinner I had a tremendous pain in my ribs on the right side which spread up to my back, preventing me from breathing properly and I've still got the back pain now.
Are the two connected or is this a new illness now?
My first problem was kidney pain and the doctor never checked my urine as he came to visit me at home and just prescribed antibiotics (Trimethoprim) which I completed the course and the pain came back again so I saw a different doctor at a walk-in centre and she tested my urine in which there was blood and leukocytes so she gave me another seven days of a different and stronger antibiotic (Cefalexin) and the kidney pains went only to be replaced with pains in the lower left abdomen, close to my groin area which started after I urinated. These pains seem to have gone now as I am on the last day of my antibiotics (Co-amoxiclav).
But yesterday evening as I was eating my sunday dinner I had a tremendous pain in my ribs on the right side which spread up to my back, preventing me from breathing properly and I've still got the back pain now.
Are the two connected or is this a new illness now?
I would highly recommend trying D-Mannose for UTIs. It is available in powder and capsule form in health food stores and on the internet. I prefer the pure powder mixed with a bit of juice.
I've suffered from intermittent UTIs for 20 years, and until recently thought that the only way to get rid of one was antibiotics. I was skeptical at first, never having heard about it from a doctor or nurse. D-Mannose has changed my life. In three days it cleared up an existing UTI, and I hope that if I take it preventatively that I'll never have one again.
I used the dosages recommended on various websites--1 teaspoon every three hours to treat an active infection. I felt some relief after the first dose, and felt great by day 2.
I've suffered from intermittent UTIs for 20 years, and until recently thought that the only way to get rid of one was antibiotics. I was skeptical at first, never having heard about it from a doctor or nurse. D-Mannose has changed my life. In three days it cleared up an existing UTI, and I hope that if I take it preventatively that I'll never have one again.
I used the dosages recommended on various websites--1 teaspoon every three hours to treat an active infection. I felt some relief after the first dose, and felt great by day 2.
I use D-Mannose whenever I feel a UTI coming on. For me - as little as 500mg/day works when I catch it early. Make sure it is just D-Mannose without any other additives. And that you are not combining it with any other treatments. Cranberry does not work and actually makes it worse.
If I am out of D-Mannose I take a tincture 30 drops/day of an herb mix of:
Uva Ursi leaf, Buchu leaf, Juniper berries, Dandelion root, Marshmallow root, nettle leaf, and myrrh gum.
This works just as well as D-Mannose, and a little faster, but I have read it is not recommended over the long term.
D-Mannose is just a form of sugar, and I feel safer taking that as a long term preventative treatment.
If your UTI has developed to the point of pain and constantly feeling the need to urinate. D-Mannose will clear that up within a few hours.
Antibiotics kill the good and bad bacteria. That is probably why UTIs recur with antibiotics and there are many other harmful side affects. I had been through two rounds of antibiotics before I found D-mannose, and I will never go back to them for a UTI.
If I am out of D-Mannose I take a tincture 30 drops/day of an herb mix of:
Uva Ursi leaf, Buchu leaf, Juniper berries, Dandelion root, Marshmallow root, nettle leaf, and myrrh gum.
This works just as well as D-Mannose, and a little faster, but I have read it is not recommended over the long term.
D-Mannose is just a form of sugar, and I feel safer taking that as a long term preventative treatment.
If your UTI has developed to the point of pain and constantly feeling the need to urinate. D-Mannose will clear that up within a few hours.
Antibiotics kill the good and bad bacteria. That is probably why UTIs recur with antibiotics and there are many other harmful side affects. I had been through two rounds of antibiotics before I found D-mannose, and I will never go back to them for a UTI.
As a small child I had a very bad case of sudamonis, prbably spelt wrong, but it is a strong infection that i got in my bladder or maybe kidneys that generally is only picked up in hospitals. Well I had not been to the hospital when I caught it, and ever sinde I have had problems of that nature. I have suffered from constant UTI's for the last 3/4 years. When I say constant I mean at least once a week. I seem to be constantly in pain, even during the course of antibiotics. Anything I do seems to make it flair up, including alcohol, salty sweet or spicy food, fruit juice, caffine, coca cola, sex, smoking, hot weather, pretty much everything I enjoy! I am only 18 years old and feel like this is taking over my life! I take 3 pints of water with me to bed every night, take cranberry suppliments and drink cranberry juice daily, as well as ridiculous amounts of water, I am very hygenic and always urinate and wash straight after sex, never use soap, but still it makes no difference. I came across this website as I was looking for information on cystoscopy as I have mine tomorrow at the hospital. I am terrified that I will suffer another infection and that it will be worse than any I have had before. I don't know how much longer I can live like this, I know that sounds dramatic but it just seems to be taking over my life. I have dropped out of college because no one understood my problem and it affected my attendence as I couldnt concentrate in classes, so I got kicked out. I am so glad to have found so many like me! I thought it was just me who was this way! I have read lots of good things on the internet about uva ursi and some bear tea thing? I'm going to try and get some of that tomorrow, and will let you all know anything that the doctors can diagnose. I really hope they can help me, and maybe i can help anyone else who is suffering. One thing I do know that helps is to have a teaspoon of bicarbinate of soda in a glass of water, drink it down and normally within 20 minutes the pain will be significantly less, as it reduces the acidity of your wee. You can only do this once a day or in a short period of time I believe. Other than that holland and barrett cranberry tablets and cranberry juice with the lowest possible sugar content can work well and then the obvious wipe front to back and keep really clean, without soap. Finally, always carry painkillers! Normally I take at once, 3 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen, as its safe to take that many but no more than that in four hours. Hope that helps someone, thanks everyone for your advice.
Are you sure it's not a kidney stone? Pain in the side radiating to the back are classic symptoms, along with urine blood, sting, fluid leak, and/or cloudy urine.
Hello.
I have had UTIs since I was 3 years old. I am now 18 and every 3-8 months another one occurs. I had the image scope procedure (the one where the doctor inserts the tube up the urethra) when I was about 7 and it didn't help at all.
You may want to ask your doctor about interstitial cystitis (IC). It is a disease my mother has that involves cysts forming in the bladder and causing chronic pain.
However, for people like me who do not have IC, I haven't found much help. Cranberry juice can help or harm depending on who you are. The juice (as well as other acidic fruits and juices) lowers the pH (making the urine more acidic) thus sometimes killing a few bacteria and helping the immune system fight the infection. On the other hand, the bacteria eat at the bladder lining causing sores. Some people, when they drink cranberry juice, feel a severe burning because the acidity hurts the open wounds.
I take Azo painkillers and peridium painkillers when I have UTIs. They can be easily found in drug stores and are not addictive. They sooth the bladder muscles, stopping the spasms of burning and cramping. I also take antibiotics prescribed by my doctor.
Constipation is also a big issue with UTIs. I do have constant constipation. According to the many urologists I have seen, it is the main contributor to my UTIs. Everyone is supposed to have a bowel movement every 1-2 days. I now eat more fiber than any person of any age group I know but this still doesn't help the UTIs much, nor the constipation.
Also, dehydration can lead to UTIs. It also contributes to constipation but for UTIs the bacteria can multiply quicker in an environment where they are not being constantly flushed out. Remember to drink A LOT of WATER when you have a UTI. Even cranberry juice and propel cannot substitute for plain water.
In particular, I have noticed lately that my UTIs occur during or a few days after my period. I am not sure why this is, nor have I found an answer on the Internet. It is a new phenomenon for me so I guess I'll go check with my urologist to see what is happening.
Good Luck! Hope this helps! :-)
I have had UTIs since I was 3 years old. I am now 18 and every 3-8 months another one occurs. I had the image scope procedure (the one where the doctor inserts the tube up the urethra) when I was about 7 and it didn't help at all.
You may want to ask your doctor about interstitial cystitis (IC). It is a disease my mother has that involves cysts forming in the bladder and causing chronic pain.
However, for people like me who do not have IC, I haven't found much help. Cranberry juice can help or harm depending on who you are. The juice (as well as other acidic fruits and juices) lowers the pH (making the urine more acidic) thus sometimes killing a few bacteria and helping the immune system fight the infection. On the other hand, the bacteria eat at the bladder lining causing sores. Some people, when they drink cranberry juice, feel a severe burning because the acidity hurts the open wounds.
I take Azo painkillers and peridium painkillers when I have UTIs. They can be easily found in drug stores and are not addictive. They sooth the bladder muscles, stopping the spasms of burning and cramping. I also take antibiotics prescribed by my doctor.
Constipation is also a big issue with UTIs. I do have constant constipation. According to the many urologists I have seen, it is the main contributor to my UTIs. Everyone is supposed to have a bowel movement every 1-2 days. I now eat more fiber than any person of any age group I know but this still doesn't help the UTIs much, nor the constipation.
Also, dehydration can lead to UTIs. It also contributes to constipation but for UTIs the bacteria can multiply quicker in an environment where they are not being constantly flushed out. Remember to drink A LOT of WATER when you have a UTI. Even cranberry juice and propel cannot substitute for plain water.
In particular, I have noticed lately that my UTIs occur during or a few days after my period. I am not sure why this is, nor have I found an answer on the Internet. It is a new phenomenon for me so I guess I'll go check with my urologist to see what is happening.
Good Luck! Hope this helps! :-)
anonymous wrote:
Vitamin C does not screw up your birth control, that is ridiculous. A very select few antibiotics do, just ask your doctor.
When taking birth control, it is actually suggest you take Vitamin C everyday, to make up for the loss of nutrients when you alter your hormonal balance.
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I don't know if this will help anyone, but I once saw a show that if you have cronic UTI's you should buy vitaimn C tablets and take them once daily. It's suposed to help prevent the bacteria from growing. But if you are taking birth control you can NOT take vitamin C tablets, they scew up your birth control which can result in a baby. just a warning for some of you... :D
Vitamin C does not screw up your birth control, that is ridiculous. A very select few antibiotics do, just ask your doctor.
When taking birth control, it is actually suggest you take Vitamin C everyday, to make up for the loss of nutrients when you alter your hormonal balance.
***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed