Chronic UTI's

Nurses General Nursing

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I have had UTI's for all of my life. Most of the time going undiagnosed for months. I do not have the usual burning and urgency that most people experience, so unless it is REALLY bad (noticable blood), it doesn't get treated. Can chronic UTI's cause permanent damage? Other than drinking a gallon of water and cranberry juice, what other methods could help me avoid this in the future? Have you heard of any possible medical interventions that might be able to help me?

Thanks for your help.

Get thee to a urologist! Chronic UTIs can lead to cystic bladder, kidney infections, cystic kidneys, incontence.

I know this from first hand experience. Find out what the root of the problem is. There may be a "kink" in the "works".

Hurry!!

Ditto what Dawngloves said, also, unless I am mistaken there is a medication for tx of chronic UTI. Sorry I can't remember the name of it, but I know there is one out there.

Specializes in ER, PACU, OR.

ditto to all of the above! however, they do put people on medication, for history of reoccuring uti's. ask your doctor about possibly trying macrodantin 100mg qd-tid for prophylaxis.

me :)

Sexually active women can ward off some infections by voiding before and after intercourse. The only other suggestion would be to be very aware of any "off" odor of your urine, since you don't have any obvious S/sx's. Several years ago, I read about a study done with diabetic women in which they used an irrigation bottle to wash their vulvas after each void. According to the article, the practice did reduce the # of infections in the group, but I've never heard of the study being replicated.

I would avoid Macrodantin...long term use is assoc. with lung fibrosis I take Bactrim SS (not the double strength-DS) 1 QD, if I do get an infection it clears up really fast with a Cipro UroPak. There are also several good urinary antiseptics out now. Most importantly see a urologist.

Cranberry capsules or cranberry juice is very good for UTI's cystitis one of the dementia units here use the caps and found they have reduced the number of UTI experienced by the residents,also the number of lady partsl creams used have been reduced 'senile vaginitis'and the urinary continence has improved last but not least the aestetics have been improved you now don't have that constant urine smell.

My daughter, 9 years old, had a cystogram since she kept having urinary tract infections/irritation. She's having reflux from her bladder back up. Anyways, she's put on Macrodantin 25mg. every day for now, while the urologist reviews the results a bit more. I don't know if we're heading toward surgery yet or not...I just hope too much kidney damage hasn't occurred - she's been having general symptoms for quite a while now, without it being properly diagnosed.

It's interesting, another person I know first found out she was a diabetic from her frequent UTIs...

This will sound a little wacky but my neighbor was having years of UTI's and went to a chiropractor that specialized in homeopathy...any how he told her that her problems had to do with her mercury fillings...she had them replaced and has not had problems again and this has been for a few years now. Just another idea :)

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