Vitamins and urinary tract infection

[Xanthe12345]

I was prescribed a D3 vitamin tabletand told to take a multi vitamin tablet daily. Felt quite well for a few weeks. Then fatigue and mild temperature and then the dreaded uti set in last week. Obviously, a course of anti biotics followed. Feeling better now. Have any of you lovely ladies of great knowledge ever come across these symptoms? Worried about starting the vitamins again...your views would be very helpful. Many thanks

[piglette]

If you are taking steroids you should also be prescribed vit D with calcium tablets. I am not sure why you need a multi vitamin. If you are short of a vitamin you should take it but why take vitamins that you do not need as you already have enough in your food? It just boosts the supplier’s coffers. I cannot believe your UTI has anything to do with the vitamin D. In fact the absolute opposite.

[SheffieldJane]

Yes all of them in a cycle. I was blaming the Adcal, so the GP stopped it and put me on vit D. He prescribed a mild Oestrogen cream ( Ovestin 1 mg). He’s got a bee in his bonnet about Post menopausal changes making women prone to UTIs. I haven’t noticed a radical improvement. It’s very lowering isn’t it? I don’t think it’s your vitamins unless vit D is a culprit like the chalky Calcium?

[whitefishbay in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think your doctor is right about post menopausal women prone to UTIs. Just adds to the fun doesn’t it.

[Linny3 in reply to whitefishbay]

FUN FUN FUN

[Soraya_PMR]

Highly unlikely that vitamins have anything to do with a UTI.

Prednisolone would though, as it suppresses your immune system, making you more prone to infections.

If it’s a one off UTI, then don’t worry. If it becomes an issue get your GP to check your blood sugars, as excess sugars spilling over into urine also encourage infections. Pred can effect sugar levels, so you might want to eradicate any excess sugars anyway.

[SnazzyD]

Was the UTI a proven bacterial infection or were the antibiotics given based on symptoms? If your immune system is being suppressed then you may well be predisposed to UTI’s, and being post menopausal doesn’t help either. However, some others, myself included have found that Pred irritates the bladder as do calcium supplements. I also find ordinary vitamin C does too. The irritated membranes of the bladder and pee tube will the be more susceptible to invasion by bacteria. I have to be really careful to keep my wee looking pale with lots of water so avoid cystitis. Another thing is avoiding soaps and shower gels (just water) in that immediate area because they disrupt the protective mucus layer which in post menopause is already reduced. I have found being below 10mg has helped, as has taking half my usual dose of calcium, taking slow release Vit C and drinking loads. Cutting down salt a lot when I was above 7mg Pred has meant that I don’t retain so much fluid in my tissues instead of it going through my kidneys.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is very unlikely it was the vitamins that caused it - but if you are eating a good diet you don't need the multivitamin - you do need the vit D/calcium tablet supplement though.

Was the infection proven with a urine culture? The fatigue is part of PMR anyway - though a fever as well does suggest infection.

Otherwise - Snazzy has already said everything else I would have!

[Valnvaughan]

Hi

I have found two ways of avoiding UTIs in post menopause.

1. Daily moisturise the vagina area. On line research vaginal atrophy.

2. Recognise the symptoms early and treat with D-Mannose.

Can only say, it works for me.

PMR for 3 years. 15 mg Pred daily now reduced to 4.5 daily.

[Xanthe12345]

Thanks ladies. Yes it was a proven bacteria and the second attack this year. I will start my vitamin d again and drink a lot more water. Hopefully it will not return again. Thanks once again for your help and reassurance. How would we get through these times without your help 👏🏻

[Linny3 in reply to Xanthe12345]

I started getting them about three years ago at 67. After many courses of antibiotics, it was finally decided that when the last one cleared, I stay on a low dose of antibiotics once a day for another 2 weeks. After that whenever I had the slightest ideas an infection was looming I immediately took one and did that for 3 days. I kept to that schedule for 6-8 months and now for a year I have been totally clear of any uti's. It was all pretty maddening.

Good Luck

[sweetsusie]

UTIs are no fun..for sure. I've had them before...always empty your bladder after sex..hope this isn't too much information (TMI), but it's true. My doctor told me this. If you're not having sex, maybe you're an older woman? Very common in older women. Make sure you clean the area well every single day.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to sweetsusie]

I think by definition the majority of the members of a PMR forum are older women

[Purplecrow]

Who says we "older women" arent having sex💓

Another myth Bites the dust!

So, eat yogurt and make sure your partner is not infected...thereby reinfecting you... just sayin...

[Telian]

I'm afraid so Xanthe, I get UTI's pretty regular with Consultants left scratching their heads as to the cause, and I've seen 4! Personally I have asked on here and seemingly the best advice to date that is working for me is to adjust my calcium dose, take K2, which helps disperse the calcium into the bones instead of floating around the body settling in unwelcome places. So far my symptoms are improving and that is good as I've been suffering for nearly 2 years. I hope you get some relief soon. Not sure that vitamins can help!

Best wishes

[Xanthe12345 in reply to Telian]

Thanks Telian.... such a nuisance. It seems to arrive out of nowhere. Generally when surgery is shut. Lol

[Telian in reply to Xanthe12345]

You're not wrong there, it knoows.... I am someone with a high pain threshold but this... I cannot stand it for a second. I always have a course of antis by me but don't take them until I've had the 'dip stick' result, even then is it right? they always send off for a culture and some have come back negative, even though I had the same symptoms as if infection, which is why I was sent to all the 'ologies' in the first instance.

Had a cystocopy, looking for cancer as always blood in the urine, that was negative thank goodness and said the urethra didn't need stretching! Then had a biopsy ouch! in Gynae - shouldn't have had that, apparently, and is why I've done my own investigating and found the calcium issue through Heron most of all. I'm just hoping this continues to improve, which I have faith it will - haven't started K2 vitamin yet as have to order online.

Hope you are quicker at getting to the bottom of it Xanthe.

[Xanthe12345 in reply to Telian]

Like you Telian ...I have blood in urine and saw the urologist last year and no cancer. I was well chuffed with result. I do have Lichen sclerosis which actually went into remission with high dose of steroids for the poly. Does your doc let you keep a spare antibiotic? I always keep dipsticks myself so I dont bother doc unnecessarily. Bought them off Amazon ....same ones the docs have.

Alsohave you tried the canestan crystals?

Sorry bit long winded ...

[Telian in reply to Xanthe12345]

Really...I've finally found someone with the same water problems! I can't always see the blood but it always shows up when testing, I also had an Endoscopy and Colonoscopy as I am showing signs of anaemia - never been anaemic before! GP does let me have a pack of antis, stems from going on holiday once he let me take a pack just in case so have always been ahead. I do take the canestan crystals initially - particularly if it falls at a weekend but no I haven't thought of buying my own dipsticks but I will get some - good idea... Sorry don't know Lichen sclerosis but will look it up.

[Telian in reply to Telian]

Just looked LS up, how awful for you, does it affect all over the skin as well? You poor thing, that sounds dreadful, I have bladder irritation and that's enough, they found Syringoma when Gynae did the biopsy but its benign so not worried - what else can go wrong? I do blame it all on the AI, wish doctors would agree....

[Xanthe12345 in reply to Telian]

I am under Addenbookes gynae but havent seen them for 10 months as I said the pred at the higher doses kept it at bay. Do you get the burning sensation come from the ribs down .... thats when I know I will get a bad uti.

[Telian]

Not particularly but I have heard about that, mine is the usual but very painful, I also seem to be disorientated with it which again is associated with old age but I don't think I'm old at 69!! I find it more debilitating than ever each time ...

[Xanthe12345 in reply to Telian]

It is awful....I am going to ask at the surgery if I can keep some antibiotics at home! Hopefully, just got over a bout so it will keep away for a time....fingers crossed

[Telian]

Good idea, tell them you're going away....fingers crossed for you