Chronic UTI: How do you prevent them?

@mader62
So sorry you keep getting these. I had only had one in my whole life prior to when I started getting them repeatedly a few years back. Doctor said chances are it never really went away with the antibiotics they were giving me. So we tried a couple different ones and it still kept coming back. Finally they put me on a low dose of some antibiotic which I unfortunately do not remember the name of, and I was on it for about 3 months as I recall. Finally it went away and did not come back. I was having blood in my urine as well. Has the doctor used a cystoscope to check out your bladder? This can rule out any serious issues. Sometimes if you do not empty your bladder entirely, this can lead to UTI's. A cystoscopy can tell this and look for other abnormalities as well. My doctor also recommended a probiotic specifically for the urinary tract. I believe it was made by Garden of Life. I took it every day for quite a while. I believe my UTI was aggravated by the fact that I had a prolapsed bladder (where the bladder drops down due to weakness in the ligaments that hold it up). I have had it repaired since. Also, if you are not seeing a urologist, I strongly suggest that you do. Sounds like you need someone with expertise beyond the primary care doctor. I know this can be very annoying and even painful if it goes on for a long time. I hope you can find some relief. Perhaps there are others here who can offer up other suggestions for you. But definitely don't just stick with one antibiotic because it may not work for you and see a urologist for some specialized expertise.
Best to you.

@mader62- Hi- My Dr. suggested showers only and no perfumed soap. Works for me.
Good luck!
Ainsleigh

Dear Gail, I will be so grateful if you can give me the name of the surgeon that repaired your bladder prolapse. Did you have a mesh repair or without? I am looking for a very good surgeon in US who can do my bladder prolapse. Thank you. Vivi

@mader62 Aren’t UTIs just awful? I got them infrequently, but now that I’m immunocompromised, I take extra special care to prevent them. As a nurse, I always told my patients: showers only with plain soap, dry real well, no tight clothing, use laundry soaps without all the perfumes, etc., drink lots of water, urinate frequently, and be very very careful cleaning after a bowel movement. This is especially important—you don’t want to introduce bacteria into the bladder. Always clean yourself from front to back. Use baby wipes to make sure you’re clean, if needed.
Drink a glass of water after sexual intercourse—this makes you pee and helps to clean out the urethra (1/4” long tube btw the bladder and outside.)
The blood in the urine is a sign that there is an infection, unless the blood is visible like red urine.
Take care and let me know how you do. Becky

I was being misdiagnosed. I now have bladder cancer. Stuff happens. One more thing to deal with...I did not even have a history of UTI's. A new PCP not knowing my history sent me to infectious diseases. Was it because I am an American female??? Was then suggested there I see a Urologist. Stuff happens. See what happens now. I may lose my bladder yet. Can't even think about thus. New doctor must have presumed I was a slut because I am American? I will not say more lest I sound racist, etc. I am not and never have been. Struggling with extreme depression at this point for feeling I have been stereotyped even more.

@parus Has the dr office returned your phone calls yet, to give you more information? Can you get a copy of the surgery and biopsy reports, to check things yourself? Sometimes it feels like the [male] medical community feels women don't care/want to know the details, or that we can't think for ourselves. It's so frustrating! A few years ago I had a UTI, went to Dr, turned out the wrong antibiotic was given, UTI stuck around too long and affected my kidneys. Dr didn't believe me when I told him this; I have only 32% kidney function anyway, I know my body!
Ginger

@gingerw We have to just keep on ,keeping on.My kidney test came back neg.on all counts but why is it a strain to pee I have found eating cranberries helps

@gingerw I had a biopsy last Tuesday. By Friday I was passing many large blood clots and lots of blood. Kidneys are okay I guess. The doctor sending me to infectious disease is female and the new primary I was referred to when another one left.
I called the office of the Urologist Friday and he told the nurse to have me drink lots of water to keep the clots passing through. It is scary but nothing I can do. It was cauterized-supposedly. Will call again tomorrow since still passing clots and blood. This was supposed to be no big thing and now I trust no one. Why go back and go through another surgery to fix what the doctor screwed up?? He may do even more damage.It is cancer just don't know what kind. I was not passing clots and this much blood prior to biopsy. It must be far worse than they led me to believe.
I'm sorry. I have less and less trust in doctors as time goes on. I have become terrified of them. Trying to once again overcome my fears. It helps to whine. Nothing anyone can do. Just helps to know there is someone out there who cares. See what tomorrow brings. At least I hope so. My temperature is normal. I so abhor being invalidated and know many feel this way too. I am not a doctor. I just know I am feeling very sick. Must be in my head.

@parus I'm sorry you,be been put in this position.I hope you get relief soon.And know what's going on.

Thinking of you, @parus.