Bladder Infections

[kuietgrl (got lost)]

I've had so-called bladder infections for the last 10 years maybe. At least, that's what they tell me it is /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif

Needless to say, I'm incredibly careful about all that, and take every precaution I can to minimize getting an infection. Regardless, I seem to have one anyway. I started taking cranberry extract a couple days ago and the pain is a lot better when I go to the bathroom.

My question is, though, do I still need to go to my Dr. and get antibiotics? Or will the cranberry get rid of it? I used to drink cranberry juice every day but I really hate the stuff /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sick.gif And I've been to the Dr. soooo many times for this and they just keep giving me antibiotics and sending me on my way. It's too hard to get there with a baby, then they make me pee in a cup, etc. and I just can't deal with that.

My next visit with my Dr I'm going to ask her why I'm getting them so frequently even though I'm VERY careful. I'm thinking there's something more...hopefully not, though /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

[puppypower]

Been there, done that. The cranberry will not cure the infection, so make sure you take the antibiotics. I had the same issue, my doctor scheduled me for a proceedure that seemed to stretch the ureathra and I was fine for many years. I get them once or twice a year now and only cause i have a habit of holding it.

[givememore]

It is common especially in women because we have shorter urethras. You could be put on a mild antibiotic for precautions, and take it every day forever. I don't suggest it at all. I am a nurse and have had many many many people with these. Drink lots of water, and take a cranberry supplement like you are, daily. There are things called cran-max, cranberry extract, etc. You don't have to worry about taking too much, because it is like vitamin C, the body simply excretes in urine, what it doesn't need.

[kuietgrl (got lost)]

Was it a painful procedure? I had to have a catheter when I had my daughter and it burned like crazy /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif

[kuietgrl (got lost)]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: givememore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Drink lots of water, and take a cranberry supplement like you are, daily. There are things called cran-max, cranberry extract, etc. You don't have to worry about taking too much, because it is like vitamin C, the body simply excretes in urine, what it doesn't need. </div></div>

If I do this, do I still need to see a Dr. right now? /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif

If I can avoid it at all, I'd rather not the hassle of scheduling an appointment etc. to see my Dr. It's so much work lol

[puppypower]

they put me in a twilight state and did the proceedure you feel pressure but no pain

[givememore]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: *kuietgrl*</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: givememore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Drink lots of water, and take a cranberry supplement like you are, daily. There are things called cran-max, cranberry extract, etc. You don't have to worry about taking too much, because it is like vitamin C, the body simply excretes in urine, what it doesn't need. </div></div>

If I do this, do I still need to see a Dr. right now? /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif

If I can avoid it at all, I'd rather not the hassle of scheduling an appointment etc. to see my Dr. It's so much work lol </div></div>

Nope, just go to either a drugstore or a health food store and get some. You have to give it time, just like any other medication, but you should notice a difference.

[blueeyedgirl]

I would go in and see a Dr as soon as you can to get an antibiotic. I urinary tract infection if left untreated can get into your kidneys. Long time ago i used to get them frequently and i used to constantly drink cranberry juice and once an infection came on i would drink it like crazy. It would help but did not get rid of it. I finally went to the dr to get checked and was given an antibiotic. However because i had waited several days the medication i was given was not strong enough. It got real bad real quick and i ended up being admitted into the hospital because that is how bad i got sick. I had been to the hospital twice before during the infection. I was down to 87 pounds and they had to put me on morphine. So i would go see a dr before it travels into your kidneys.

[kuietgrl (got lost)]

Bah...I really have no way of getting to the Dr. and if I do go, I have to take a 7 month old with me /ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif As of right now, there is no more pain. I've been taking 3 cranberry pills twice a day for about 3 days...

[kitca]

i get them very frequently also. it is terrible, there is no warning, just the pain that comes so suddenly. i am in such agony that i have to go to emergency or the doc right away. i have asked if i could have a standing order for antibiotics. after you get these several times you can diagnose (sp) yourself! anyway, she said if you get a certain number of documented infections in a year, they will give you a standing order. unfortunatly for me, the hospital emergency occurances didnt make it to my dr. in the group health centres records and they couldnt all be counted.

my dr also gave me a script for perridiane(sp) which does not cure the infection, but it takes all the pain away till i can get in the next morning. i was told if i dont get it cured with antibiotics it could get very serious and cause all kinds of complications.

i find the cran-max pills are helpful in preventitive situations, like if im feeling stressed, or going on a holiday i start taking them 3X daily, and that seems to help. any kind of stress, good stress/bad stress seems to set it off in me.

i did have the stretching rods put in my urethra (sp) also as a preventitive measure. i dont know that it really helped all that much. certainly worth a try. it didnt hurt like crazy, but it wasnt the most comfortable thing ive ever been through.

if you are still having the pain or feeling like you have the infection you really should get it checked. cant you just call your dr and tell them it is imperitive to see them that day and see if they can fit you in.