Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI)

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

I’ve been in the same situation with recurring UTIs for three years. Kidney stones were the cause of mine. Seven of them! Tell your Doctor that you demand a CatScan which will determine if you have stones and it may show something else

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@picster

I’ve been in the same situation with recurring UTIs for three years. Kidney stones were the cause of mine. Seven of them! Tell your Doctor that you demand a CatScan which will determine if you have stones and it may show something else

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I will ask my doctor for a cat scan.thanks so much for the advice.are u in stage 3a?

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@picster

I’ve been in the same situation with recurring UTIs for three years. Kidney stones were the cause of mine. Seven of them! Tell your Doctor that you demand a CatScan which will determine if you have stones and it may show something else

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@picster, I want to welcome you to Connect. Kidney stones were discovered in a cat scan for me, too. My last scan showed that they had passed (?) . I have had UTI's, a couple per year. I have not had any since March, I don't know if mine were related or not. I hope that is going to be my new normal!
picster, do you have any underlying kidney or bladder conditions that could be contributing to the stones?

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@picster

I’ve been in the same situation with recurring UTIs for three years. Kidney stones were the cause of mine. Seven of them! Tell your Doctor that you demand a CatScan which will determine if you have stones and it may show something else

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So far I don't have any stones but from time to time I do have back pain..I am going to ask for the scan if I can get it without the deye.thanks again for you help..it makes me feel warm..and that IAM NOT alone!...

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That's way too many in such a short period of time, are you a kidney transplant ? You should see a urologist or your nephrologist if your a transplant.

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@renarikiw

Just saw an infectious disease doc at Penn for similar problem. Mine got so bad that I went into septic shock one time and ended in the ICU and the others became sepsis. Apparently I have a colonization of ecology iin either my bladder or ureathea. No decision of continuing treatment until my other docs give their opinions due to other issues.

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Have you found the answers to you issue

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Always feeling bad. Blood work is great. My dr says I am fine. I do have Recurrent UTI s. But no real bad symptoms. So no meds are given. Just discusted and want to feel better

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@sandyhelman

Always feeling bad. Blood work is great. My dr says I am fine. I do have Recurrent UTI s. But no real bad symptoms. So no meds are given. Just discusted and want to feel better

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Hi @sandyhelman, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Can you explain a bit more? Are you feeling generally in poor health? How do you manage the recurring urinary tract infections?

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The dr does not give me antibiotics unless I bleed etc. which I don’t. Sex will bring it on. They won’t put me on a daily dose. About10 years ago I had a bladder prolapse and they put two mesh inside me to hold up the bladder
I have a little more prolapse. A rectacyle. No one seems to want to remove the mesh.

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@sandyhelman

The dr does not give me antibiotics unless I bleed etc. which I don’t. Sex will bring it on. They won’t put me on a daily dose. About10 years ago I had a bladder prolapse and they put two mesh inside me to hold up the bladder
I have a little more prolapse. A rectacyle. No one seems to want to remove the mesh.

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Thanks for explaining, Sandy.
Mayo Clinic offers these prevention tips https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you'll urinate more frequently — allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection can begin.
- Drink cranberry juice. Although studies are not conclusive that cranberry juice prevents UTIs, it is likely not harmful.
- Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
- Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
- Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth.

You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Bladder lift surgery (Prolapse repair) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mrs/
- recurrent bladder infections after prolapse surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recurrent-bladder-infections-after-prolapse-surgery/

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