Frequent bladder infections

Curious if you’ve ever been seen for Interstitial Cystitis?

@nonahelen: I have suffered with recurrent UTi’s most of my life too!
My regimen to a happier bladder is drink 1/2 cranberry juice (Zero sugar is what I buy) and 1/2 filtered water (no tap water due to contaminants where I live) throughout the day.
2. Every evening I put a dab of Premarin vaginal cream on my urethra before sleep.
3. Once a week I insert about 1 inch of Premarin into my vagina to keep the delicate tissue from thinning skin and irritated.
4. Uribel tablets: I take one tablet each evening at bedtime. If I “feel the bladder might suspect a UTI” I take one tablet in morning and one tablet at bedtime and drink abundant filtered water & also take it easy until I feel things are better.
I have found that my body needs more hydration than others. The Uribel was prescribed by Urologist and kills bacteria that accumulates in bladder. The cranberry juice/water controls inflammation as well as hydrates.
This has worked for me - very few UTI’s since I started my consistent regimen.
Maybe it would work for you?
dbamos1945

The urologist did a cystoscopy a few years back and results were inconclusive. My UTIs are always diagnosed with a culture which I understand is not always the case. In between, I feel ok.

Thanks for replying. I take the cranberry extract capsule because the juice is bad for my reflux. Never heard of Uriel but I see it contains methenamine which is generic for the Hiprex. Is the Uriel covered by insurance? I’m very glad you have found relief and I am seeing the dr today to discuss which low dose antibiotics I will be staring next.

@nonnahelen: Uribel and Hyophen have the same urinary prevention properties, unfortunately the FDA does not recognize or approve them to be used for urinary distress and this is a requirement of all US insurance companies. This “off label” usage means that we have to search the many prescription discount cards online to find the lowest price. My dr writes the prescription for 2x day, so at my usage level, it amounts to about $2 per pill… sometimes less considering the discounts available.
I take this medicine every night at bedtime, and have for the last 20 years with no side effects except a healthy UTI-free bladder (but it does turn your urine a slight blue color).
I hope this is helpful. dbamos1945

Thanks for the information about your routine to prevent UTIs. You are so blessed to have avoided infections for 20 years. I did well for 8 months taking Hiprex,which is brand for methenamine,one of the ingredients in Uribel. I also took vitamin c to intensify an acidic bladder,but then I started getting infections again every month. For now,I’ll be using a low dose antibiotics,plus cranberry extract and probiotic. Stay well and thanks again.

I too began having multiple UTI’s for about 8 years ago. No warning signs and I usually ended up in the hospital and have been septic more than once. Note: I had a kidney transplant 18 years ago.
I have finally found a wonderful urologist. She has found that I was not emptying my bladder completely and now has me on the routine of:
- sit and wait for more urine (works every time!)
- daily Ellura (which she explained is more concentrated than other OTC cranberry supplements)
- Premarin in the vagina 4 nights a week
- weekly dose of Fosfomycin Tromethamine (oral)
I also keep urine test strips (Amazon) which I use if anything seems off.
The above regime has resulted in only one UTI in the past 6 months, which elates me!

Thank you for sharing the routine that has given you a respite from infections. I am happy for you because I know what it’s like to have one infection after another. Wishing you continued good urinary health!