Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI): Should I see a specialist?

Posted by mpeters @mpeters, Feb 19, 2018

I have had four uti’s in the last eight months. Of those eight, I had three in three months. I’m wondering if I should see a specialist. I like my primary care provider but he is very busy. Also, if you know of anything I can be doing until my next appointment with my primary care provider, which is three months away.

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louisejewell | @louisejewell | May 19, 2024

I see a urologist for urinary frequency and take myrbetriq 4x a week which solves that problem. I also have a prolapsed uterus for which I wear a pessary to hold it in place. That also works very well.
3-4x a year I'll feel a uti coming on and my urologist has given me a large prescription of antibiotic nitrofurantoin to self administer at onset for 3-5 days.
I think its better to get it early rather than waiting till burning/bleeding and having to do a full course. I think I read that one is more susceptible with a compromised immune system. I had huge bouts of squamous skin cancers and now on my second course of radiation in 2 years.
Drink lots of water and I eat cranberry vitamin gummies instead of juice. I'm 75 so not too worried about the sex angle.

keithgri | @keithgri | May 20, 2024

In reply to @ldrlaw "I’ve had many, many UTIs over the years. Eventually, because we were traveling, a Mayo physician..." + (show)

Who was the Mayo nephrologist that you saw. We are looking for a specialist at Mayo's who can treat chronic UTI's.

goldwingmine | @goldwingmine | May 21, 2024

In reply to @keithgri "Who was the Mayo nephrologist that you saw. We are looking for a specialist at Mayo's..." + (show)

I have been seeing Lynn St Pierre at Mayo. She suggested I take cranberry concentrate capsules to fend off UTIs. I have an indwelling catheter that still uses my bladder as a storage vessel, which is emptied by using a valve on the end of the catheter. I have not had a UTI in three years.