I Hurt

SthrnZeta · #1 02-20-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTW

This thread reminds me of my horrific 2005 experience with a UTI. Had what I thought it was a 'minor' UTI and thought it went away because I didn't really experience the symptoms. I've UTIs before this, but they were few in number so I didn't know just how important it was to get to the doctor and get some anti-biotics...no matter how 'minor' it was.

The UTI turned into a massive kidney infection and I was rushed to the hospital. I had a 104.5 fever and was very septic. The Rocephin the injected into my left butt cheek made it very hard to sit for a whole day. I ended up staying there for 5 days.

Ditto what everyone said about fluids and making sure you eat. I don't know if it's like this for others on antibiotics, but usually when I'm on heavy antibiotics, I have a hard time with #2. Hooray for Senokot!

Feel better, SZ. It'll go away before you know it!

As much as that was TMI, I still appreciate the post! I'm usually ok with most antibiotics, Cipro included, but I've taken a few for other things that really did tear my stomach up (Keflex being one of them - those are some HUGE capsules!). I have heard the horror stories of UTIs turning into more serious infections so I always try to get on meds ASAP and this time was super fast (I love my part-time job).

A question for you all: what do you think causes recurring UTIs? Intercourse? Physiology? Bathing habits (and yes I know which direction to wipe) Something else? Just curious...

twinkle555 · #2 02-20-2008, 05:17 PM

I forget what they were called...but i FREAKED out when one of my sorority sisters gave me some to take b/c of my UTI last year. I didnt know they would turn my pee orange.I thought i was peeing blood (i knew blood was red, and pee was yellow soo that = orange from the pill).Anyways i called my mom freaking out, so then she freaked out,and i nearly passed out just at the thought of it. Luckily, my roomate let me in on the pills' secret later that day lol!!

get well soon SZeta!

SthrnZeta · #3 02-20-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinkle555

I forget what they were called...but i FREAKED out when one of my sorority sisters gave me some to take b/c of my UTI last year. I didnt know they would turn my pee orange.I thought i was peeing blood (i knew blood was red, and pee was yellow soo that = orange from the pill).Anyways i called my mom freaking out, so then she freaked out,and i nearly passed out just at the thought of it. Luckily, my roomate let me in on the pills' secret later that day lol!!

get well soon SZeta!

Haha, luckily my doctor prescribed Uristat to me when I got my first UTI several years ago and told me to make sure I wiped really well since it could stain my underwear and to consider wearing a pantyliner or pad because of the color my urine would be while on this medication.

Here's some TMI for you: don't ever just take the Uristat and wait to go see the doc for your antibiotics. Twice I have wet the bed because I guess my muscles got too relaxed from the pain meds and it caused incontinence. And of course, since my pee was bright orange it stained my new mattress two years ago!

Sage, I always make a point to urinate after intercourse because I know that's supposed to help prevent them but it doesn't always do the job for me I guess... I also never take baths, as I hear they can cause a UTI also.

sageofages · #4 02-20-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

A question for you all: what do you think causes recurring UTIs? Intercourse? Physiology? Bathing habits (and yes I know which direction to wipe) Something else? Just curious...

Sexual activity (coitus and/or cunnilingus-especially!) is a frequent reason for a recurring UTI. Not to be indelicate, getting up and urinating following either is a BIG help in staving off intercourse related UTIs. The concept is to rinse out any bacteria that may have been "pushed" up the urethra during intimacy.

twinkle555 · #5 02-20-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

A question for you all: what do you think causes recurring UTIs? Intercourse? Physiology? Bathing habits (and yes I know which direction to wipe) Something else? Just curious...

Ive heard condoms are a big culprit in addition to the ones you already mentioned.

SthrnZeta · #6 02-20-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinkle555

Ive heard condoms are a big culprit in addition to the ones you already mentioned.

Last year I had a really bad UTI following the use of a condom with spermicidal lubricant - not fun. I have since switched to regular but will be very happy to do away with them all together once I'm married next year!

Maybe condom use IS my problem after all.....

honeychile · #7 02-21-2008, 12:23 AM

Unfortunately, I'm allergic to Cipro, so I don't know which I feel worst about for you - I'm shuddering in empathy! Because of that (and other healthy reasons), I drink cranberry juice daily.

jwright25 · #8 02-20-2008, 05:20 PM

Shew. I had a heinous one during a terrible snowstorm in college. I couldn't get off my hill to get to the doctor for a couple of days. Everyone said "drink beer - it will make you pee." So when I finally got to the doctor I was plastered.

I also suggest that you eat yogurt so as to avoid that other nasty problem that can affect women after being on strong antibiotics....

SthrnZeta · #9 02-20-2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwright25

Shew. I had a heinous one during a terrible snowstorm in college. I couldn't get off my hill to get to the doctor for a couple of days. Everyone said "drink beer - it will make you pee." So when I finally got to the doctor I was plastered.

I also suggest that you eat yogurt so as to avoid that other nasty problem that can affect women after being on strong antibiotics....

Knock on wood, I have never had a yeast infection, though I hear they are common after antibiotic use. Good point though!

Fawn Liebowitz · #10 02-20-2008, 06:01 PM

If you have recurring UTI/kidney infections, it might be best to consult a urologist rather than your general practitioner. I struggled with infections for about 4 years. I would take a round of antibiotics, have a week or so of "health", then the infection would come right back, full blown.

I was at my doctor's office having a routine blood test because of a "black box" warning on a drug I was taking. They called and told me that due to my test results, I needed to come right back to the office. I was referred to a urologist that day, and less than a week later, I was having kidney surgery.

I had struvite kidney stones, which fill up the kidney. They're not as common as the other kinds, but much more damaging. They basically cut my kidney, cleaned it out, and put in a temporary drain and some stents in my urinary tract. After I had recovered from that surgery (about 8 weeks), I had another surgery to remove my other kidney, which was damaged beyond repair. I had borderline function in the one kidney for nearly 3 years, but due to another major infection, my kidney function fell below the acceptable level, and I am now on hemodialysis and on a transplant list.

I don't want to be an alarmist, but don't take your health for granted. If you continue to have problems, either find out why or find out what can alleviate the problem.

I know this has been a loooong post, so if you made it to the end, thanks for reading.

P.S. Please consider designating yourself as an organ donor on your state driver's license next time you renew.

SthrnZeta · #11 02-20-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fawn Liebowitz

If you have recurring UTI/kidney infections, it might be best to consult a urologist rather than your general practitioner. I struggled with infections for about 4 years. I would take a round of antibiotics, have a week or so of "health", then the infection would come right back, full blown.

I was at my doctor's office having a routine blood test because of a "black box" warning on a drug I was taking. They called and told me that due to my test results, I needed to come right back to the office. I was referred to a urologist that day, and less than a week later, I was having kidney surgery.

I had struvite kidney stones, which fill up the kidney. They're not as common as the other kinds, but much more damaging. They basically cut my kidney, cleaned it out, and put in a temporary drain and some stents in my urinary tract. After I had recovered from that surgery (about 8 weeks), I had another surgery to remove my other kidney, which was damaged beyond repair. I had borderline function in the one kidney for nearly 3 years, but due to another major infection, my kidney function fell below the acceptable level, and I am now on hemodialysis and on a transplant list.

I don't want to be an alarmist, but don't take your health for granted. If you continue to have problems, either find out why or find out what can alleviate the problem.

I know this has been a loooong post, so if you made it to the end, thanks for reading.

P.S. Please consider designating yourself as an organ donor on your state driver's license next time you renew.

Wow, I had now idea you were struggling with such a serious disorder! I know UTIs seem simple but you're very right, they are nothing to joke about or put off treating. Lukcily, I've never had them come back so soon, I'm usually good for about 3-4 months or so before another flare-up, but I think it will be awhile until my next one since J will be gone for a while

And Fawn, I am definitely an organ donor

AKA_Monet · #12 02-20-2008, 06:07 PM

Did they prescribe any kind of pain reliever to ease the symptoms, like Tylenol or whatever doesn't interact with Cipro. Cipro is not a joke drug, so like Daemon said, you are going to have grin and bear it with water, juice et al...

Please follow your physician's guidelines.

DolphinChicaDDD · #13 02-20-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

A question for you all: what do you think causes recurring UTIs? Intercourse? Physiology? Bathing habits (and yes I know which direction to wipe) Something else? Just curious...

Besides the reasons already mentioned, my dr told me some women just have shorter urethra than other women (and women have shorter ones then men) and so they get more UTIs. Thankfully, I've only had a handful of minor ones. But they were terrible.