TO UTI? OR NOT TO UTI

[ks1966]

Hi everyone,

I had a flexible cystoscopy about three months ago, and ever since, I’ve had a burning sensation after peeing. My urine cultures came back negative, but I recently found a digital microbiology lab that specializes in urine DNA testing, and they managed to pick up a few Streptococcus bacteria.

I’m currently on Co-Amoxiclav, hoping it helps. I tried Cefalexin a few months ago, but it didn’t do anything.

Aside from my GP telling me to drink more fluids, does anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences?

Thanks

[gillianTS]

Yes I was in a situation where I was put on a low dose antibiotic called Nitrofurantoin / Macrodantin by the urologist. I took this for 4 years until I read an article by a urologist in the USA who suggested to try coming off long term low dose antibiotics. By the way I was advised the low dose would have no issue with my body getting too used to antibiotics.

I was with my Gynaecologist in June 2024. I had not seen him since 2010 when he had identified whilst coming out of my cystoscopy a small diverticulum in my urethra, at the time he went to a urologist in the next theatre who confirmed this finding, it was simply listed as an incidental finding. It was after the cystoscopy my issues started. They are very easily missed in both men and women. When systematic they can create issues.

Anyway the Gynaecologist (who is now urogyna) was interested in how I had managed to come off the Nitrofurantoin. I told him about the American urologist suggested taking high strength Cranberry tablets, which I had started taking every night, I cut out the antibiotics and all has gone back to normal for the last 5 years. No more antibiotics. I had an MRI last July and as well as other findings it reported all good with the urethra.

The Gynaecologist wanted to know where I bought my high strength Cranberry tablets from and how I took them. He googled it whilst I was there and made notes. I use Holland and Barratt high strength and take them the last thing before bed. I have read people take a couple of times a day.

Apparently the chemicals in cranberries keep bacteria from sticking to the cells in the urinary tract. But they do not remove bacteria that are already stuck to these cells. This needs to be removed through antibiotics and then start taking Cranberry, this is what I did. This likely explain why Cranberry helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), but they do not help treat them.

I got told not to use scent or soaps down below. Drink plenty of water. Wash thoroughly after any sexual activity and ensure going to the toilet to urinate immediately afterwards.

[Akaira]

Check for hameroids. Get an ointment similar to emoflon. First check for hameroids.

[Akaira]

Also check urine ph

[ks1966 in reply to Akaira]

Hi. I don’t have hameroids and my Ph is 5. Any thoughts?

[Onslow729]

Hi. I just seen your post referring to having Cystoscopies and issues regarding infections afterwards.

Over the last 25 plus years I have had many Cystoscopies starting back in the early days before the latest equipment was available. In those days it was a series of stainless steel rods with an eyepiece so the consultant could see inside the bladder.

In the 90’s I had some polyps removed by a surgeon who for what ever reason didn’t do a biopsy.

Basically to make amends the NHS did a repeat cystoscopies twice a year for 12 years.

Over the last 3/4 years I have enlarged prostrate problems so many procedures to check for cancer etc as well 2 procedures to open up the prostrate to help the urine flow better.

What I’m saying is that sometimes I was perhaps lucky but most occasions I took a course of antibiotics after the examination for 5 days.

Sometimes they worked better than others and had to be repeated.

I still drink at least one and a half litres of water daily as well as 2 teas and 2 black coffees

I take a Cranberry vitamin tablet every morning for safety but don’t drink Cranberry Juice as it’s to strong and can make matters worse

Flushing your bladder with plain water is so important every day.

Hope this helps.

[ks1966 in reply to Onslow729]

Thank you 😊