urinary infections

[kingharold11]

I have got another water infection, the second this year. Does anyone else get them?

[polkadotcom]

I've had just one in the last 2 years, although that was serious enough to hospitalise me. It did result in me realizing that I just don't drink enough and in spite of all my efforts, it still remains a difficult thing for me to do as I struggle with trying to drink yet more water when I just don't feel thirsty. I do get very bloated with it at times and then it is even more difficult!

Still, so far so good. Have you tried cranberry juice? I'm told it has been proven to be of benefit. Have to confess that I tried it once and never again - it tasted awful to me! I think they do capsules now and if I had to I'd go for those.

[kingharold11 in reply to polkadotcom]

I do drink cranberry juice every day, I am the same with water I can't drink enough. I have had several water infections whilst I have been on steroids which my doctor always blames for me getting them. I had one serious one which landed me in hospital, I had according to the consultant at the hospital an adrenal crisis, he said that I should have doubled the amount of steroids I was taking for three days. My doctor doesn't agree with that which is why I hadn't increased the steroids and why I ended up in hospital.At the time my adrenal glands were not up to where they should have been which is why I collapsed I have since had several synacthen tests which showed eventually they were back to normal.

[dimas62 in reply to kingharold11]

My friend has Cushings Syndrome and is steroid dependent. She has had several adrenal crises and on one occasion she was near kidney failure. I know her condition is different to PMR but she knows a lot about the long term affects of taking steroids (25+years). Increasing her steroids is the FIRST AND URGENT line of treatment when she is ill to stop her body going into shock so I am surprised your doctor doesn't seem to think this is important. I am newly diagnosed with GCA and to this forum so feel a bit cheeky offering advice, but do you have a consultant to discuss this with?

[bowler]

I often have urine infections, I also had a bad kidney infection several months ago, and was told I have stage 3 kidney disease, which showed up on a blood test [ GFR ]

I always take a teaspoon of Bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water when I feel an attack coming on, which helps.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I did have a sudden and severe urine infection last year and panicked as I hadn't had them since childhood when it led to removal of a kidney aged 12, following which all the episodes of cystitis disappeared, but, like Bowler, I have also now been diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney disease. All the symptoms of shaking, frequency, blood in urine etc which arrived overnight last year resolved by the time I'd seen the GP and picked up a prescription. I had drunk my usual glass of warm water containing squeezed lemon juice first thing in the morning and I just wondered whether somehow that had nipped the infection in the bud, so might be worth a go. A friend who has frequent urine infections found that the cranberry juice didn't work for her but the cranberry tablets from the health shop did do the trick. Not fun - good luck.

[jinasc]

"I always take a teaspoon of Bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water when I feel an attack coming on, which helps."

If you take the teaspoon, dissolve it in as little water (a glass is too much) as possible and then repeat every two hours. It does work if you catch it as soon as you feel that urge.

[kingharold11 in reply to jinasc]

thanks for your reply I am trying it the antibiotics the doctor gave me don't seem to have worked as I think it has come back

[iforget]

Nothing beats plain water for flushing the system... It also pays to avoid scented soaps/bath products and synthetic fabrics close to skin as they can act as irritants.

Hope you get relief asap.

[Hidden]

I've only had one urinary infection in the last year(treated with antibiotics but not an increase in steroids) but lots of colds which have continued into the summer. My GP says that steroids can lower one's resisitance to infection and that this will improve after I have been off them for a while and I should then get less colds.

Having been prone to urinary infections all my life I agree with with the advice to drink plenty of water or something close to it, avoid scented soaps and bath products and wear cotton next to the skin. Over the years I've learnt that I must never become dehydrated or I will be ill with one. Drinking cranberry juice helps as does keeping caffeine intake down. Following this advice I had not had an attack in several years prior to developing PMR which for me is good going.

If you should get an attack I find that prompt treatment helps to get on top of it.

I am appalled that your doctor blames you for getting these infections. Mine is very good and has always insisted on antibiotics.

Hope you are better soon.

[kingharold11 in reply to Hidden]

I didn't say my doctor blamed me for getting them I said he always blames the steroids his words are steroids lay you wide open to infections ( I don't understand that I thought that is what we take them for) he has always insisted on antibiotics It has been very difficult to stay hydrated in the recent hot weather

[hwigston]

Hi. I use Candaway which contains cinnamon and other herbs. Most healthfood shops sell it or buy it online. I take it regularly since I had my first UTI three years ago, and it certainly cleared it up. Unfortunately most cranberry juices contain sugar which you should avoid when you have UTI also foods containing yeast.

[Greensleeves]

Hi, yes I have had 5 this year alone. Have always been prone but it has been a real problem since starting steroids. My immune system must be very low. The cranberry doesn't work for me , as soon as I feel one coming I try and increase fluids and start antibiotics asap before the kidneys become any more scarred than they already are. The antibiotics make you feel low both physically and in general mood so it's not good. Hope you find a solution . Take care x

[kingharold11 in reply to Greensleeves]

when you say as soon as you feel one coming what do you feel like I get dizzy and I know thats what it is Wendy

[Green_girl]

Steroid does lower the immune system - I take Beta Glucans and haven't had so much as a cold since taking it as it bolsters your system really well . Not sure if it would help on UTIs though, as I've not suffered from these for years - and certainly haven't since being on steroids and Methotrexate, which also lowers the immune system. Best to get advice from a good health food shop. Think the advice others have given on coffee, yeast and sugar is good too.

Remembering the UTIs I used to get - always over a weekend so I couldn't get to a doctor of course - I commiserate with all of you and hope there is some relief out there.

Green_Girl

[GreyOwl in reply to Green_girl]

Just reading this thread and wanted to point out that, of course, it's not just coffee that contains caffeine. It is also in tea and many soft drinks and energy drinks. Really disrupts everything about our lives, these illnesses!

[Green_girl]

Yes! I have got used to rooibos tea, some fruit/herb ones and water.....very boring at the pub, as most manufactured drinks contain sugar. Carry my own teabags round and have all the inconvenience of explanations in cafes etc. Can't have wine either, as being on Meths means I have to cut out most alcohol. As you rightly say Grey Owl - these illnesses! Sigh.

[Badgergirl]

This is an interesting thread that I've just picked up on as am new here. I wonder how many of us have had recurrent urinary infections prior to getting PMR. I certainly have had UTIs all my life. I had an untreated one for a few months before the PMR diagnosis. The urine gets tested by a nurse at the GP clinic and because the stick didn't go purple they never sent it away. So, there was a UTI grumbling there all the time finally diagnosed when I saw the GP and insisted it was tested at the hospital. I also developed stage 2 kidney disease and kidney scarring. I was put on nitrofurantoin, during which the PMR started. I now take D-mannose daily and it has kept me infection free. It is brilliant. Barberry (Uva ursi) is good too but can't be taken more than 2 weeks. I do wonder if recurrent UTIs (because of toxins) or nitrofurantoin can trigger PMR