Repeat urinary tract infections: What can I do?

I wanted you to know that about 24 yrs ago I had chronic kidney and uti infections. I just could get rid of them. Sulfur drugs antibiotics and multiple times with shots in each kidney on a daily basis for several days. I had heard cranberry and water obviously great for them, but also was a teenager so learning. I went to the pharmacy and bought several bottles of the strongest herbal capsule cranberry I could find. Mainly cause I just don't like cranberry juice. I doubled the dosage on the bottle and kept with it for about 60 days then backed down to normal dosage and remained on it for about a yr. I had not had another one since. So 20 + yrs. I did recently have a kidney stone followed by a kidney infection and also told that my urinalysis indicated I might be a group strep b carrier. I am back on the cranberry double strength twice a day hoping this should clear things up. I just wanted to share my experience with cranberry. Thanks.
Ps I'm not a big herbal person but the cranberry sold me all the way.
Oompaa

I've been using a cranberry supplement daily for many years. A gynecological uroogist told me to eat yogurt everyday. I've done that and now I'm on 1 trimehtoprim (antibiotic-low dose) every day. Urologist does me fine.

Recurrent rare bacteria utis and small non obstructed kidney stone connections, anyone? Miserable and depressed most days.

Hello @daphne52 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It may be helpful to share a bit more, if you're comfortable, so that some connections to members may be made.

Can you share more about the rare bacteria UTIs you have and how long you've suffered from this?

Also, I am wondering if you have had any intervention/care for your non-obstructed kidney stones and how long you've been living with that as well.

I have utis on the average of 3 to 4 times a year for about 18 years. It all started after a vaginal hysterectomy. I was told I don't have IC, but my doctor did several years ago do an ice water instilliation and it did work for almost a year. Over the years the utis were mostly Ecoli, but in the last few years, I get rare bacteria. Over the years I had 3 Urethra scopes and found nothing bad. My urologist sent me to pelvic floor physical therapy at least 3 times over the years, sometimes it works, sometimes not. Utis and pelvic floor pain have almost same symptoms and sometimes I wait too long and the uti is raging, that itself can be serious. I have a 4 mm nonobstructed kidneystone and my Uro Doc says if there is no pain, don't worry. I have been doing some nvestigative reading myself and found an article of a 72 year old woman with a nonobstructed small kidneystone that was infected with the same rare bacteria I now get. She has recurring utis also. The article never really said what the outcome was, but what if this kidneystone is infected and passes the bacteria to my bladder and bringing on recurring UTIS. I'm miserable and at times feel is life worth living. I just need a doctor who is more understanding. It seems he is now pushing me off to the NP in his office. I hope I have not rambled too much and I do thank you for answering my comment. If there are people out there that can enlighten me on this condition, I will sure be willing to hear of any options available. I have considered seeing a Mayo Clinic doctor. I have a friend that traveled fron Cincinnati Ohio to Florida wih numerous health problems and gave her all the right answers. I'm becoming desperate. Thank you for listening.

It sounds to me like you don't feel confident in the care you are receiving and that is a very helpless feeling. If that was my experience, I would seek another opinion to validate my feelings and better understand how another provider would treat me and my symptoms.

Are you closer to MN, FL, or AZ if you were to consider requesting an appointment at Mayo Clinic?

I am currently on my third UTI this year. I have no idea how I get those, because I have a Bidet and do not use paper for wiping. I had a small kidney stone 3 yeas ago, but that seemed to have been gone last year, because it could not be found with ultrasound. I will see they Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) urology department in early September, and hope that they can come up with a solution.
I live in SW Florida, but travel each year to Minnesota to have Mayo docs take care of my health care needs.

I pray you get answers. Please update your Mayo Clinic visit in September. I am going through the same thing and any info will be greatly appreciated.. Thanks.

I'm from Cincinnati Ohio and the closest would be Minnesota and Florida. Is getting an appointment as simple as just calling and making an appointment, or do I have to go through my Primary Doctor? I believe my preference would be Florida.

Do you feel Minnesota helped you better? Reading that your are from Florida I'm wondering why you didn't go the Florida?