Does anyone out there suffer from UTI's or is this not SS related. Sick of antibiotics. I am taking cranberry tablets, and Juice.

[Jimbuck1]

[Coppernob]

Definitely can be SS-related. Antibiotics not good. Have you had kidneys scanned? I needed a bladder biopsy because of persistent haematuria (blood in urine). Nothing sinister found - probably result of long-term bladder inflammation/irritation from SS. Ask for further investigations. Google and go with evidence to your GP (or rheumy if you have one) to ask for further tests.

[gracekelly]

Hi jimbuck1,

Like you i also suffer really bad with uti's, causing burning pain, and stinging when passing water.

I have found staying off acidic fruit and drink has cut down my attacks significantly, rendering one of my symptoms of ss manageable.

Please note! i don't have cranberry juice either, as this also causes me problems.

[cjstevens]

I used to suffer with uti's years ago. Nothing worked & cranberry juice only made it worse. I discovered Silica (capsules) helped tremendously. Apparently it helps with body tissue etc therefore it helped soothed the tissues of the bladder. I stayed on them for a year or so and now I don't have any bladder problems at all!!! I know it sounds stupid, but it has definately changed my life (for the better). Uti's are so very painful - I hope you find a solution in the very near future.

[Okebro]

I was having them a lot and also really feed up taking antibiotics esspecially as i was bought up to avoid taking them for anything short of a last resort. I believe the cause was from SS and dry vagina.

I have a tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar in a mug of warm water when I first feel any discomfort urinating and that pretty much gets rid of it. If it does continue having the ACVinegar drink three times a day gets rid of it pretty quickly without antibiotics, or Ural.

I have been treating any sign of pain with apple cider vinegar, drinking AC Vinegar first things in the morning in the warm water most days and treating my dry vagina with a vitamin E capsule inserted after showering and I haven't been on anti biotics for over six months, which is a really long time for me.

[adleybra]

Just had a second bout of uti The first was severe ie passing blood.I was put on antibiotics. That fixed it. I thought it was my immune system as I had just had cellulites and a flare of shingles. SS sure messes one around? I like the idea of the applecider. vinegar thanks.

[Hidden]

Not a good thing to have, Jimbuck. I suffered this for a long time, but finally changed to a food regime which reduced acid-forming foods & drink, INCLUDING cranberry juice. Try it, it works! NO fizzy drinks, either. I put silica drops in my (2 litres a day) drinking water, which makes it alkaline, and this has REALLY really helped. Alkaline foods are healthy, mainly green, and can be eaten as much, as often as you like. Lemon juice (which is NOT not acid!) in warm water each morning is highly beneficial as well. My Specialist can't believe my symptoms have ALL disappeared. It's wonderful. Good luck.

[arcdeciel]

I think we are definitely more prone to UTIs with SS. There is a wonderful natural product called Waterfall D-Mannose. I live in Australia and got it sent from England. It is much way better than cranberry. The people who make it are very supportive and get back to you really soon if you contact them with any queries. They have helped lots of people who are chronic sufferers with UTIs and most importantly helped them to get away from constantly using anibiotics.

[Spice]

Thank you to everyone who submitted to this query.. I too have started having this problem and will trying some of the helpful hints. Three Drs have flicked me off when I mentioned it was more than a usual UTI even though I also mentioned that a Rheumy at a seminar I went to at the Auckland hosiptal said to not just keep going on antibioticsand to get your Dr to investigae further. Thank goodness for this website. I am going to print some of these things out and share them with our small suport group we have here in New Plymouth.

[Spice]

Thank you to everyone who submitted a reply to this problem. I too have started along this path and will be trying some of the helpful hints. I am also going to print some of this out to share with a small support group we have here in New Plymouth. A rheumy at a seminar Iwent to at Auckland Hospital told us to not accept the constant antibiotic thing and ask our Drs to investigate further. 3 Drs in my area have flicked me off with this so I will be down to the health shop tomorrow.