UTI

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2002
UTI
12
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 2:28am

OMG I HATE THEM! Does anyone have any tips on how not to get them? Besides "cleaning up" after sex and urinating before, drinking water, not holding your urine in for too long? Because JEEZ I've had like at least 5 since last August and I think I'm going to kill someone if I get another one! I just had to go fill a prescription which is a PITA at my local pharmacy, it took me like half an hour to wait when I had even called it in. Plus I don't have another refill left so that means next time (crossing my fingers that there ISN'T a next time!) I will have to wait and be uncomfortable for like 3 days so I can get into the doctor. RAWR!


On a side note: I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately! I've been busy getting my stuff together finally! On Friday I have an appointment to register for classes this summer and fall at a local college! I am so excited! I *think* I am going to do a two year nursing program for Licensed Practical Nursing and then probably continue for my RN. We'll see though! But I'm sooo excited!!! :) :) :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2007
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 3:21am
Hi Morgan, and yes, I agree, UTIs are hell. I have had them and hope I never, ever get one again, so I can fully sympathise with your screams.

Now then, this is what I have started to do since the last one I had (three years ago, thankfully) and this advice is in addition to what you are already doing.

Before having sex, no matter what, in addition to going to the toilet to urinate, I take a wash cloth, soak it in warm water and not only wipe myself front to back after having peed with paper, but wash myself front to back with the damp cloth. And I mean wash and check how the wash cloth looks. If it looks like I am cleaining fecal matter from my bum, then I rinse the cloth again, switch to a clean section and wash again until I am as sure as I can be that I have cleaned myself up.

I have read on other boards recommendations for using wet wipe thingies, I don't think I personally would use those, as I'm not sure what exactly is in them. Plain water works best, I think, because it is cleaning away the surface dirt. Also, whatever is in those wet wipes isn't necessarily meant to be used inside the vagina, and if there is any of that stuff still on the skin after having used one, it could be tracked in during IC.

The thing is that if there is fecal matter around the anus it can be spread via touch and intercourse into the vagina and easily be introduced into the urethra, which is a big part of the cause of UTIs. As I am sure you know, but I felt I should say it again.

If you are having sex on a regular basis, and from what I have read here you are, then clean yourself with a wash cloth after every bowel movement anyway, regardless of when you are likely to have sexual contact, as well as just before, as I have suggested. Yes, it can seem to be a mood killer, but repeated UTIs are dangerous.

If you have had five since last August and are once again dealing with another one, I would also suggest getting in to see your doctor even though you have started taking the anti-biotics. Tell your doctor that you have had that many, he or she may want to have your urine tested just to be on the safe side, once you have finished the medication. It would also give you the opportunity to get another scrip, so that you won't be caught without should you be unfortunate enough to have another one.

Repeated UTIs can be dangerous, as well as being painful. The very thought gives me the shivers. Ugh.

Sorry to be so long, but I do feel for you, and I hope you are feeling better really soon. Oh, and I gave this same advice to my niece who is about your age, who use to get them after having sex as well, and she hasn't had one since, by following my recommendations.

Magenta-siggy

So if diva means giving your best, then yes, I guess I am a diva. -
Patti LaBelle

Magenta Starr – would you join me for tea?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2008
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 5:49am

Magenta's self cleaning procedures are great and sound very much like DW's (who is a LPN).

RJJJ


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2008
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 7:15am

Morgan,


Hon, I missed you! I am so sorry to hear about

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2006
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 9:07am

Similar advice to Ivil-liv..........that was given to me by an PA........not a doctor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 10:14am
I make an effort to keep cranberry juice in the house at all times. I have been hospitalized for uti two times. they are horrible. I also have cranberry pills that i take at least one every week. (over the counter) They have otc med you can take at the first signs of them also so you dont have to get a dr prescription but they dont always work well. Maybe you need to make sure everything is clean before sex. and after sex. Try a shower before (a get in the mood extra) and a clean up fun after. that might help. take care.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2008
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 11:07am
I too get reoccurring UTI's and can feel your frustration.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2008
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 11:22am

You are getting good suggestions and as I'm sure you've noticed, most go to hygene.

RJJJ


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2007
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 11:28am
Excellent point about the hygiene of the partner, I hadn't thought about that, because we didn't have that as part of our problem. DH is very conscientious about washing his hands at all times, anyway.

I agree too that there has been a lot of good advice, and that hygiene cannot be overlooked or stressed too highly.

Magenta-siggy

So if diva means giving your best, then yes, I guess I am a diva. -
Patti LaBelle

Magenta Starr – would you join me for tea?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 11:39am

Morgan, I'm sorry to hear you're suffering with the UTI's. I've not had many of them (maybe 2) in my life, but there are times that I feel I might be getting one. During those times, I start drinking a lot of water and a couple of glasses of Cranberry juice a day. (Over ice, it's very refreshing!) For me, that usually takes care of it within a couple of days. Since you have recurring problems with this, maybe try drinking at least 1 glass of Cranberry juice a day, and a good bit of water throughout the day.

I also make sure I do the bathroom rituals before and after sex -- especially after. And I keep my hair trimmed so it doesn't harbor bacteria (trimmed to about 3/4 -1").

It's exciting to hear about your plans for school too! Keep us posted on how that's going.







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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2008
In reply to: morganlovesaj
Wed, 04-23-2008 - 12:03pm
I just kept thinking about her and 5 UTI's since August - that is way out of line IMO.

RJJJ


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