Recurrent uti

Hi Ginger…back in May I developed a UTI and was given keflex which would take care of the e-coli bacteria. Took it for 1 week and 2 weeks later another UTI. I was given keflex again because it was the right antibiotic for that particular bacteria. Again 2 weeks later another infection so they gave me the appropriate antibiotic for the same bacteria, this went on off and on till October. My hygiene or any of the other possible culprits are not the problem Dr. Tells me this happens frequently with menopausal women. Ok I said so what can I do to get rid of this bacteria, so in October they started me on 200 mg of keflex 1 pill daily for 3 months then I go back to see the urologist. I’m not happy taking a antibiotic daily which could result in c-diff or becoming antibiotic resistant. Since I’ve been taking this daily antibiotic I’m noticing joint and muscle issue’s that are becoming slightly debilitating in my daily walks. DISCOURAGING.

I did report it and they said CIPRO is well known for causing joint and muscle aches but keflex was not and I should discontinue it or see my pcp. I’m not happy about that response so I’ll visit my pcp, thank you for replying

I did report it and they said CIPRO is well known for causing joint and muscle aches but keflex was not and I should discontinue it or see my pcp. I’m not happy about that response so I’ll visit my pcp, thank you for replying

I'm in Barcelona, Spain, BTW. The nurse told me that there's always bacteria in the bladder, good and bad. It's about the p.h. balance. If renal function is off, or a culture is growing in a foley catheter bag, especially a reused one, and it back flows, it can enter the bladder and start a symptomatic infection. A normal urine p.h. is expressed as between 6.0-7.5. A high alkali p.h. can mean a UTI. Too acid, another condition such as diabetes. Renal function plays a role in maintaining p.h. Prolonged storage of urine, such as in a collection bag, or bladder retention can cause an overgrowth. Bacteria love that sugar! The concentrated cranberry has no sugar, I think it acidifies the bladder to keep it from being too alkali? I'm not sure which. When an infection happens and antibiotics are introduced, the antibiotics kill ALL the bacteria, but they don't stop an infection from a newer resistant bacteria, or another bacteria altogether, such as that from a collection bag. I use a new 2 liter collection bag at night and I'm on my second infection. I believe it has something to do with being a male, in my case, and having nocturnal erections that expose the urethra to the exposed portion of the catheter tube. That's my conclusion. It's a vicious cycle.
Regarding joint and ligament damage, CIPRO, has been long associated with joint and tendon injury, weakening and in some cases joint calcification, "frozen shoulder," etc. Most fluoroquinalones have this reputation; I believe the FDA put on a black-box warning. I tell them straight out no, on fluoroquinalones. Keflex, is a cephalosporin, broad-spectrum antibiotic and may not be strong enough, or be specific to address and pinpoint a specific bacteria. There is a second generation cephalosporin I'm on, it's called Ceftin (cefuroxime) and I'm on a second seven-day round of this. Cephalosporins also have a reputation for tendon damage, so does amoxicillin. These antibiotics are processed through the kidneys, so they have an affect on renal function in some people. If you are already predisposed with renal insufficiency, or chronic kidney damage (CKD) from urinary retention, this may influence how the antibiotics work, perhaps their efficacy- but take this with a grain of salt because I'm not a doctor. It's worth asking if kidney function plays a role in how an antibiotic can cause tendon injury / damage, because calcium and struvite crystals (stones and bladder crystals) also start from the kidneys, so I'm wondering if this tendon damage / injury, is really a calcification? All I know is that I don't want to deal with antibiotic treatment continuously.
I take 1 capsule CranActin daily and stay away from refined sugars, or sodas, high fructose anything. I sincerely hope you can achieve a beneficial state and an effective remedy.

I take one high PAC cranberry supplement daily (Utiva). This product contains 36 PAC's per capsule. I also take Florastor probiotic daily, drink at least 2 liters of water and take one Hiprex tablet along with 500 mg Vitamin C at night to reduce bacterial load. Works really well. Hiprex is an anti-infective not an antibiotic and does not affect the gut biome.

I'm in Barcelona, Spain, BTW. The nurse told me that there's always bacteria in the bladder, good and bad. It's about the p.h. balance. If renal function is off, or a culture is growing in a foley catheter bag, especially a reused one, and it back flows, it can enter the bladder and start a symptomatic infection. A normal urine p.h. is expressed as between 6.0-7.5. A high alkali p.h. can mean a UTI. Too acid, another condition such as diabetes. Renal function plays a role in maintaining p.h. Prolonged storage of urine, such as in a collection bag, or bladder retention can cause an overgrowth. Bacteria love that sugar! The concentrated cranberry has no sugar, I think it acidifies the bladder to keep it from being too alkali? I'm not sure which. When an infection happens and antibiotics are introduced, the antibiotics kill ALL the bacteria, but they don't stop an infection from a newer resistant bacteria, or another bacteria altogether, such as that from a collection bag. I use a new 2 liter collection bag at night and I'm on my second infection. I believe it has something to do with being a male, in my case, and having nocturnal erections that expose the urethra to the exposed portion of the catheter tube. That's my conclusion. It's a vicious cycle.
Regarding joint and ligament damage, CIPRO, has been long associated with joint and tendon injury, weakening and in some cases joint calcification, "frozen shoulder," etc. Most fluoroquinalones have this reputation; I believe the FDA put on a black-box warning. I tell them straight out no, on fluoroquinalones. Keflex, is a cephalosporin, broad-spectrum antibiotic and may not be strong enough, or be specific to address and pinpoint a specific bacteria. There is a second generation cephalosporin I'm on, it's called Ceftin (cefuroxime) and I'm on a second seven-day round of this. Cephalosporins also have a reputation for tendon damage, so does amoxicillin. These antibiotics are processed through the kidneys, so they have an affect on renal function in some people. If you are already predisposed with renal insufficiency, or chronic kidney damage (CKD) from urinary retention, this may influence how the antibiotics work, perhaps their efficacy- but take this with a grain of salt because I'm not a doctor. It's worth asking if kidney function plays a role in how an antibiotic can cause tendon injury / damage, because calcium and struvite crystals (stones and bladder crystals) also start from the kidneys, so I'm wondering if this tendon damage / injury, is really a calcification? All I know is that I don't want to deal with antibiotic treatment continuously.
I take 1 capsule CranActin daily and stay away from refined sugars, or sodas, high fructose anything. I sincerely hope you can achieve a beneficial state and an effective remedy.

Thank you for that info…I wish you well too

Yes, I've taken methenamine for years. There must be a little bit of concern re the kidneys though as my Mayo kidney doctor reduced my dose by half. I've not had any problems since.