Bladder Infections

[envo]

(this is more for the ladies on the forum, I'm a concerned brother)

My sister has been suffering from chronic bladder infections for most of her adult life. It's really crap since she needs to go on antibiotics each time which screws up her system for a good 5+ months before it "normalizes"

She takes probiotics and cranberry pills to try and prevent it. She does not take low-dosage antibiotics after sex (and didn't want to speak of how often she has it with her bro, lol). Tried asking about if she pee's before/after but didn't answer me (I was using Google at the time to try and find a solution)

Now obviously this can affect her kidneys and do some serious damage and I'm really concerned about it as it happens every year at the very least and she's constantly scared of getting it (uses a clean towel every day etc)

I forced her to go to a urologist who couldn't see anything wrong and they did all kinds of tests and stuff (not sure what though exactly, I wasn't in the room/consultation afterwards obviously)

Is there ANYTHING she can do to prevent this and live a normal life?? I hate seeing my sis in pain (I'd appreciate people keeping the insults and stuff to a minimum)

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Pee after sex, simplest and most effective

 

[Ockie]

Bladder Infections are very common in woman, especially straight ones. My sis used to get them also and did the whole cranberry thing too, but did not seem to work. She switched to high Vitamin C doses and she has not complained for a very long time of having a UTI.

 

[bokdrol]

Pee after sex, simplest and most effective

Yes, I can attest this definitely works.
Also, daily dose of D-mannose which you can get at most Link pharmacies, is a safe natural product which helps a lot. This may sound weird but I also give it to my cat who has recurring cystitis and he hasn't had a flare up for at least a year, touch wood (he used to get it every two months or so).

 

[SauRoNZA]

Once a year...that's pretty normal to be honest.

There is a procedure to widen the tubes which is deemed quite effective in many women. Then there is the obvious problem of already reduced kidney function possibly being the cause but since she's been to a urologist I guess that's not an option.

Endometriosis also tends to camouflage as a bladder infection.


Then there's also the problem of over watering. People take this bull**** of 1.5 litres a day way too seriously. Try and do the opposite and take in less water or only when you feel you need it and see how it goes.

And then the most obvious one...pee when you need to pee.

 

[Seriously]

Not sure it would be related but my other half many years ago had the same problem and after a "specialist" had her in hospital for a week and many other trials I gave up and ask my Pharmacist for advice asking for reference to a real doctor that knows what he's/she's doing concerning woman. He referred me to a bright scholar fresh out of varsity. This guy did some tests and found the problem was a "virus" in her blood. He poisoned her a few weeks with Disprin where she had to go every morning for a blood test to determine some level of presume aspirin as to ensure its not life threatening and this killed the infection for good as thereafter just now and then my other half required some citrio-soda to help the bladder. Saw the back of the regular antibiotics and weekly bouts of infections since then.

 

[Seriously]

Pee after sex, simplest and most effective

I do always but my wife...eish!

 

[Ockie]

Not sure it would be related but my other half many years ago had the same problem and after a "specialist" had her in hospital for a week and many other trials I gave up and ask my Pharmacist for advice asking for reference to a real doctor that knows what he's/she's doing concerning woman. He referred me to a bright scholar fresh out of varsity. This guy did some tests and found the problem was a "virus" in her blood. He poisoned her a few weeks with Disprin where she had to go every morning for a blood test to determine some level of presume aspirin as to ensure its not life threatening and this killed the infection for good as thereafter just now and then my other half required some citrio-soda to help the bladder. Saw the back of the regular antibiotics and weekly bouts of infections since then.

A virus that causes UTI's and that is treated with Disprin? HUH???

Only way I can see Disprin working for a UTI is if it causes your urine to become very acidic which then in turn will have the same effect as large dose Vitamin C, except Vitamin C wont cause you to bleed to death from a cut on your finger

 

[mooks]

I used to get pretty bad UTI's too, and quite regularly at that (it was so bad one day that I peed myself on the bus... Not one of my finer moments in life...). I then bought a bottle of this at the local Tescos pharmacy and I've never looked back.

It works a million times better than sodium citrate (which I believe is the active ingredient in Citro-Soda? I stand under correction though..). It's cheap and taste disgustingly nasty but it clears up any UTI within a day or two.

I don't know if its down to concentration of active ingredient, but I've tried other brands of potassium citrate mixtures and they don't seem to work as well as this Care+ brand. Plus its the cheapest brand on the market (in UK at least). If you sister can get her hands on this, I give it a solid recommendation from a fellow sufferer.

Also, if antibiotics are causing some of the issues, she can ask her doc to prescribe Fluzol with the antibiotics. It's 1 pill that can be taken at the start of the antibiotic course which will prevent any fungal infections (candida is a common issue with women & antibiotics). Interflora is supposed to help with prevention but I know it was never enough for me. Fluzol seemed to stop anything before it even got started.

The above combined with peeing before/after intercourse, avoiding g-strings and synthetic fabric knickers, eating plain yoghurt and popping a cap full of bicarb into a bath and it's been more than a year since I've had any struggles. Each person will find their own balance but this is what worked for me.


EDIT: My mom & sister swear by the Care+ Potassium Citrate mixture so much too that we now specially order it from the UK - whether they ship to SA is a different story though)

 

[Ancalagon]

So happy I have a long urethra!

 

[envo]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll check if I can find the Potassium Citrate mixture. My sis did try Vitamin C but the dosage screwed with her system (she's tiny and sensitive, can't even use normal soap without breaking out; hence why I worry)

 

[scudsucker]

My sister ... sex... and didn't want to speak of how often she has it with her bro ... live a normal life

Not going to have a normal life if that's what you mean. And bladder infections are probably the least of your worries.

 

[tRoN]

Not sure it would be related but my other half many years ago had the same problem and after a "specialist" had her in hospital for a week and many other trials I gave up and ask my Pharmacist for advice asking for reference to a real doctor that knows what he's/she's doing concerning woman. He referred me to a bright scholar fresh out of varsity. This guy did some tests and found the problem was a "virus" in her blood. He poisoned her a few weeks with Disprin where she had to go every morning for a blood test to determine some level of presume aspirin as to ensure its not life threatening and this killed the infection for good as thereafter just now and then my other half required some citrio-soda to help the bladder. Saw the back of the regular antibiotics and weekly bouts of infections since then.

Quack quack quack

 

[Venomous]

NSFM...

(based on something that occured with a lady friend)

She had similar problems to the OP's sister.
Gets infection
see doc
get meds
no sex for a few weeks
all gets better.

barely a month or so passes and...
you guessed it!
She had an infection again!


I'm not sure how many times she suffered from a bladder infection. But she said for a few years at least.

I was told this as a story:
One day she complained again, and to the doctor she went...
This time she saw a new doc.
I went there for lunch, during the meal and chatting, the by now familiar infection got discussed.
(she and hubby were in their 2nd year of living together)


The meds prescribed:
antibiotcs
other stuff for pain
wiping butt from.behind.

Yes, she reached from the front and wiped forwards after a crap!

My reaction

Did your mother never teach you to wipe from behind?
To her loved one: now you know what you went down on


So tell your sis :
poop is wiped at the back
pee is wiped downwards infront
Obviously she must get meds to clear the infection.

edit: never wipe pee from the bottom up.
even if there are no skid marks there can still be germs that you "pull up"

 

[bgotapen]

recurrent infections usually means some sort of immune disorder or kidney stones. No amount of meds will help till the root cause is found, that means blood work and sonars need to be done.

Best done when she isn't feeling bad, and by consulting multiple doctors.

 

[MickeyD]

Is it possible that the infection could be passed on to her by her sexual partner(s)?

 

[bgotapen]

Is it possible that the infection could be passed on to her by her sexual partner(s)?

unless his birth name is captian mrsa then I highly doubt it. I mean anal to vaginal might cause issues, I am no expert on the subject best to ask a doctor

 

[Venomous]

Is it possible that the infection could be passed on to her by her sexual partner(s)?

The extent of that other convo, and others.

Women are more likely to get a bladder infection from their own fecal matter than from a partner-infection.

Obviously the above is not true for STDs.

 

[MickeyD]

I asked whether it is possible, not whether it is the SOLE cause... and yes, it is possible.

What Causes Bladder Infections?

Most bladder infections are caused by various strains of E. coli, bacteria that normally live in the gut.

Women sometimes get bladder infections after sex. Vaginal intercourse makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder through the urethra. The risk for bladder infection -- dubbed "honeymoon cystitis" -- increases with frequent sex. Pregnant women, whose urinary tracts change in response to hormones and increased kidney function, are also prone to infections. Diaphragms and the use of spermicides alone or with condoms also increase the risk of urinary tract infections.

What causes UTIs?

UTIs are cause by bacteria such as E. coli that travel into the urethra, bladder, and sometimes the kidneys. Other STIs such as trichomoniasis and chlamydia can cause UTIs. Experiencing stress, having a weak immune system, eating a poor diet and damaging the urethra in childbirth or surgery can predispose you to getting UTIs. And UTIs often occur after having sex with a new partner (called "honeymoon cystitis") or after having sex with your partner for the first time in a while.

 

[Venomous]

As your quotes state ... E. coli virus...

How does it get to the vagina (forget anal, as most women won't do that)? More likely the way it was wiped? Then it gets "inserted" during intercourse?