UTI-Urinary Tract Infection

tcsteeves
tcsteeves Posts: 59
edited September 26 in Motivation and Support
I've been suffering from UTI's and Kidney Stones for years now,including today, and wondered what home remedies people are using in place of medicines. I find that antibiotics are only causing the problem to re-occur. I really need help! Thanks
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Replies

  • ktraubert
    ktraubert Posts: 29
    Cranberry supplements have helped me. People say to drink Cranberry juice, but I find that it has a lot of sugar in it. I hope you feel better, it's a horrible thing and I feel for you.
  • ♥♥YoungMrs♥♥
    ♥♥YoungMrs♥♥ Posts: 178
    I dont have any secret weapons against UTIs but I used to get them a lot also..i stopped drinking soda and started drinking lots and lots of water..that did it for me
  • debbyrae3
    debbyrae3 Posts: 200 Member
    I don't know of any home CURES, but to prevent them, just drink a lot of cranberry juice (usually a glass a day) but it must be real cranberry juice, not the cocktails. So for that, your best bet may be to buy cranberries and juice them yourself, which is a pain, but probably less of one than UTIs. I've only had 1, but I hated it.
  • DeniseGdz
    DeniseGdz Posts: 592 Member
    Over the counter AZO, it's a small pill....works miracles but only if it's not that bad. I would try that for a few days, if it gets any worse then I would recommend going to the doctor immediately before it turns into a Kidney infection.
  • 00trayn
    00trayn Posts: 1,849 Member
    AZO makes cranberry pills. I take one a night and I haven't had a UTI in a few months. It's WAY less calories than drinking cranberry juice.
  • Ninjitsu
    Ninjitsu Posts: 163
    I drink organic unsweetened Cranberry juice (64 oz in less than 24 hours). It usually resolves any issues; however, it takes pretty nasty.

    Best of luck!
  • KellyS0828
    KellyS0828 Posts: 32 Member
    I know when we discharge patients home after a cysto procedure for kidney stones, the discharge instructions say to not drink cranberry juice and stay away from artificial sweetners. As far at frequent UTI's. I use to have them, I cut out caffinated drinks, drink mostly water. Also, I make sure to go to the bathroom frequently during the day, and not hold my bladder to long. Haven't had one since.

    Go to fredericksburgurology.com, look at their patient education or under forms. It will have information for you to read over.
  • LindsayChick
    LindsayChick Posts: 129 Member
    Have you talked to your primary care doctor about them recurring so often? They may want to send you to a urologist to see if there's something functionally wrong (w/ anatomy) or narrow down exactly what type of stones you keep getting (Then that can be often corrected w/ dietary changes and medication). UTIs and stones are totally miserable!
  • Mustangsally1000
    Mustangsally1000 Posts: 854 Member
    I used to get UTI's after I had sex. Almost every time. After lots of testing..it's just the way my urethra is angled. They gave me this real mild antibiotic to take (I just had to take 1) after sex and I quit getting them. Do you notice when you get them? I think kidney stones have a lot to do with diet, but I'm not really sure. Seems your Dr.s could give you a heads up on that. I know that I have 3 friends that have all had bariatric surgery, and they all get kidney stones now. Seems it's a side effect of the surgery due to the change in diet and the way food is processed.
    Have you tried talking to a nutritionist? I don't know, I'm out of thoughts. :ohwell: Good Luck!!!
  • audbbgirl
    audbbgirl Posts: 83
    CRANBERRY PILLS TO PREVENT THEM
    WATER WITH A LITTLE BAKING SODA
    OR PLAIN ALKA SELTZER CAN HELP RELEIVE A NOT SO BAD ONE IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE
    Anti-biotics are the only thing that works for mine when they get bad and I always have to ask for yeast infection medicine at the same time. The anti-biotics give me those and it can make it feel like the UTI is still there when it isn't.
    Drink lots of water and stay away from sugar...the bacteria feed on it.
  • audbbgirl
    audbbgirl Posts: 83
    Also heard that Coffee can cause kidney stones as well...so try to cut back on that as well.
  • 123456654321
    123456654321 Posts: 1,311 Member
    Do you drink pop? I used to get UTI's and BI's frequently when I was younger but ever since I quit pop and became water obsessed I haven't had any of these issues.
  • whiskey9890
    whiskey9890 Posts: 652 Member
    drink lots of water, pay attention as to how you wipe after using the bathroom, and try and go before and after sex if possible
  • Akaratel
    Akaratel Posts: 137 Member
    I have been dealing with this since I was 16 years old... I find that cranberry supplements have not helped me.... But the 100% cranberry juice (not cocktail or anything like that) Two small glasses a day and tons of water helps me out! keep up the water intake, it doesn't hurt when you have to go more, but that is the best way!
  • audbbgirl
    audbbgirl Posts: 83
    Have you talked to your primary care doctor about them recurring so often? They may want to send you to a urologist to see if there's something functionally wrong (w/ anatomy) or narrow down exactly what type of stones you keep getting (Then that can be often corrected w/ dietary changes and medication). UTIs and stones are totally miserable!

    My doctor almost did that with me. He said sometimes your bladder does not empty all the way..there could be something inside that is not formed right.
    You may want ask about at specialist.
  • audradetillier
    audradetillier Posts: 4
    So sorry to hear you're having to deal with this!

    I had a kidney transplant 8 years ago, and UTIs are something I know TOO MUCH about! Here are some tips that have helped me...

    - You need to be flushing your system with water CONSTANTLY. Take advantage of the water consumption tracker on this website and make sure you are drinking 8 glasses each day.

    - Don't know if you're sexually active, but always make sure to shower before intercourse and urinate immediately after. Showering minimizes the amount of bacteria that will get pushed into the bladder, and urinating flushes out any that did sneak in.

    - Azo cranberry pills can help. They are certainly better than juice, as the juice is loaded with sugar/calories. However, the theory behind cranberry is that it help prevent e. coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. Different people's UTIs are caused by different bacteria. So, if your UTIs typically are caused by e. coli, this should help you. However, if your UTIs are caused by different bacteria, you will not notice a difference from cranberry. Your doctor can tell you from your previous urine cultures what type(s) of bacteria have caused your UTIs in the past.

    - NEVER hold your urine longer than you have to. The first moment you feel like you need to pee, do so. The longer you hold your urine, the more time bacteria has to multiply in your body. This is part of always flushing your system with water. What goes in, must come out!

    Hope this helps and I hope you start to feel better! <3

    Audra
  • Akaratel
    Akaratel Posts: 137 Member
    Have you talked to your primary care doctor about them recurring so often? They may want to send you to a urologist to see if there's something functionally wrong (w/ anatomy) or narrow down exactly what type of stones you keep getting (Then that can be often corrected w/ dietary changes and medication). UTIs and stones are totally miserable!

    My doctor almost did that with me. He said sometimes your bladder does not empty all the way..there could be something inside that is not formed right.
    You may want ask about at specialist.

    Well my Dr had my gyno check it out as well and see if he saw anything or blockages. In which case he would refer me to a urologist. The gyno said I have a very short urethra and that is it, nothing wrong, no blockages. I have not had stones, just a couple kidney infections from the UTI. I find that drinking lots and lots of water has had me going more and helps the best as well as peeing right after sex (yeah it is hard, but works) .... or yes there is a pill for after intercourse - i have not needed that since the increase in water has helped dramatically. :)
  • Katbaran
    Katbaran Posts: 605 Member
    One remedy I have tried is Alka Seltzer. When you feel a UTI coming on drink an 8 oz glass of water with 2 tablets dissolved in it. Wait a couple hours and have another one. Its helped me on the rare occasion I think I'm getting a UTI. I hope this helps!
  • Akaratel
    Akaratel Posts: 137 Member
    I've been suffering from UTI's and Kidney Stones for years now,including today, and wondered what home remedies people are using in place of medicines. I find that antibiotics are only causing the problem to re-occur. I really need help! Thanks

    For the actual stones, have you been diagnosed with the culprit? There are different minerals/chemicals that crystalize to form these stones.. Could be uric acid or calcium, etc.. You will want to know that so you can cut back on that particular mineral in your diet. These can be hereditary as well, but couldn't hurt to alter your diet and decrease whichever one is causing them. :)
  • 00trayn
    00trayn Posts: 1,849 Member
    That was another thing I forgot to mention that several people have already. Go to the bathroom after having sex! I've found that both times I've had UTIs since dating my boyfriend, its been after times where we had sex and I didn't go to the bathroom. I think it's just the bacteria getting where it shouldn't be. Now I make sure to always get up and go as soon as possible afterwards, and that has also seemed to help prevent getting another one. Between that and the cranberry pills, I've been UTI-free for 3 months.
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