Does anyone else have this issue? I do an intermittent cath 3 times a day and wear a condom cath throughout the day. I drink plenty of water, take probiotics, take a cranberry supplement and do my intermittent catheterizations (IC's) cleanly but it still seems like I get a bladder infection every other week! It's frustrating having to always be on antibiotics but it seems that I've got no other choice. Has anyone experienced this but found a way to prevent it?
I have had the exact same problem and I never understand it. No matter how regular I catheter and I am so careful to make sure I am very clean and go through a rigid routine I still get infections, some low grade. This worries me because even though it doesen't worry my urologist it worries me that there will be longterm effects from the constant bacteria.
It has been suggested about going on longterm anti biotics, maybe this is an option, I believe that it is only a single daily dose.
I have had the exact same problem and I never understand it. No matter how regular I catheter and I am so careful to make sure I am very clean and go through a rigid routine I still get infections, some low grade. This worries me because even though it doesen't worry my urologist it worries me that there will be longterm effects from the constant bacteria.
It has been suggested about going on longterm anti biotics, maybe this is an option, I believe that it is only a single daily dose.
Excuse me if this is only a woman forum as i am male and am still new to this site, however if so may i contribute. I take it that this reference is to intermit cathing not a folly, the latter is more prone to infection as with any foreign body inserted into the sensitive area. Your description of cleanliness is correct and videos shown on this site very good. Your urologist is correct not to worry about bacteria presence.The presence of E coil (common bacteria) should not be a problem or cause for alarm to hit antbio. an uncontaminated urine sample would be advisable for testing if an infection is suspected. this would determine what type of bacteria is present and in what quantities.It is paramount in first knowing what bacteria is present, if it is an infection, and what type and amount of medication required can be determined from test. Classic signs are discharge, cloudy/smelly urine and sometimes a fever. There is a difference between the presence of bacteria and a cultured bacteria. Regular drinking of water or camburry juice is advisable. cathing at regular intervals 5/6 times a day is good depending on your fluid intake, a 400ml output would be fine. I do advise second opinion on long term anti biotics as this practice is not advisable, not all bacteria can be treated with the same anti bios and it makes them more resistant. Fluid intake is paramaout, (water lots of it) avoid sugary drinks. I am not a doctor so it would be advisable to consult with your own medic, hopefully he/she will agree with much of my advise.
Hello Delboy, absolutely not, this is open to either gender. Thank-you for the advice and tips, they are very helpful and appreciated.
I personally drink quite a lot of water but I mist admit that i'm probably not drinking any where near enough. DJ on the other hand drinks so much water, in fact there isn't a moment during the day where he does not have some by him and he drinks all the time. I know he takes cranberry tabs also and yesterday started with some lemon in his water.
The anti biotic issue is a concern isn't it to how effective it will actually be? and I totally understand your point about the bacteria.
My urologist also advised pro biotic drinks.
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Hey wavewolf, when I said I take a cranberry supplement it actually is D-Mannose, which I take every morning and night. It slows down the frequency of UTI's for me but doesn't end them completely. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Hey wavewolf, when I said I take a cranberry supplement it actually is D-Mannose, which I take every morning and night. It slows down the frequency of UTI's for me but doesn't end them completely. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Yes, I don't know of anything that is 100% protective against UTIs. If the cause of the UTI is E.coli, mainly occurring through contamination with fecal matter, then D-mannose can be helpful. If the UTIs are from other causes, it is not. D-mannose traps and removes this strain of bacteria. But if the bacterial load is too great, then a UTI can develop. I do think that cranberry and D-mannose are worth taking--less is more when it comes to UTIs!
Thanks wavewolf, I used to take a cranberry tab but after starting D-Mannose I didn't continue taking it thinking it's pretty much the same thing but I think I'll try using both together.
I think they act enough differently, possibly complementing, that it is worth taking both. UTIs are not worth it if there is anything we can do to minimize!
DJ the condom cath can be subjective to bacteria accumulation, you will need a leg bag too ever tried Dirtopan for leaks, i take two 5ml daily works fine lots of water, clean hands and cathing 5/6 times a day has worked well for me. probably in a year i might get 2 to 3 UTI's Its difficult to know as i cannot feel pain so i look for visual signs. i take samples every 2 months for test, E coli is always present but i think it is the same for A/B people too. however I think women could be a bit more prone to UTI's than men.
Silly question, how do you know if you have a UTI ? Sometimes I can wee 3+ litres a day, sometimes 500 or 600 mls a day, sometimes my urine is a good light yellow colour sometimes it's like a dark iced tea and yesterday you would have thought it was mango juice,same colour and same constancy and if I've been drinking beer it's clear like water. Sometimes the first wee of the morning is 600 or 800 mls sometimes only 200 or 300 mls, I usually go all night without cathing. I find this wee issue a bit confusing, as I never seem to feel sick ???????????? Any advice welcome, I did have a UTI while I was in rehab and still had a in dwelling catheter in,but I didn't know I had it. I have been self cathing for about 6 months now. I use the paralogic catheters. i am paranoid about sterilising my hands before cathing..........
Just do it
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Butiki ....noormally urine would be so dark in colour if you dont drink enough water? or maybe too much tea or coffee? Either was you ideally want to aim for clear as possible urine...drink plenty of water and squeeze some lemon juice in it.this will help cleanse and flush through. Limit your tea/coffee or avoid totally.
I would imagine that if the colour remained dark then you may be tempting a UTI to crop up...maybe not..but keep with the water and catheter regular as advised. You should present other symptoms with a UTI..not just colour alone is indicative.