I have a UTI, the first I've had in two years. I used to get them 1-2 times every year, but this is the first I've had since I went on a low-histamine diet. I wonder if it's a coincidence that I just had a sun reaction with itchy bumps on my head and chest. I also reduced my vitamin D supplement to 3,000/day when summer began.
At least this time I didn't have pain or blood in the urine, so it's less severe, but I've noticed that cipro (250 mg, 2X/day) isn't working as quickly. It didn't work as well the last time I took it for a UTI and I had to get a second prescription. I read that bacteria is starting to become resistant to Cipro and manufacturers aren't coming up with new types of antibiotics as frequently as they used to because they don't make as much money off of them. We could be looking at a risky situation in a few more years. It is starting to worry me.
Gloria
Back on Cipro
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Back on Cipro
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
I'm a fan of D-Mannose for treating and preventing UTIs. The moment I feel a tinge of UTI pain, I take D-Manose with lots of water and I'm fine the next day. Same goes for my daughter. A friend of mine is an NP in a urology practice, and they are starting to recommend it to their frequent UTI patients. Can't hurt, and it sure beats a round of Cipro. I hope the UTI clears soon.
Bummer, Gloria. I'm glad it's not as severe this time.
You are right on target. The usual pattern is for more resistant bacteria to be involved with repeated UTIs. You are correct that the antibiotic-resistance problem is increasing. I don't think it's only the case that big pharm can't make enough money (they have made a fortune on many of the previous antibiotics). I think the main issue is that bacteria are becoming much too clever and are outwitting us. We have not been able to find simple, cost-effective antibiotics to keep attacking them as we have in the past. It is scary that we may be reaching some kind of threshhold. I believe at least 50,000 people in the U.S. die every year from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and this number is probably increasing.
Feel better soon!
Hugs,
Polly
You are right on target. The usual pattern is for more resistant bacteria to be involved with repeated UTIs. You are correct that the antibiotic-resistance problem is increasing. I don't think it's only the case that big pharm can't make enough money (they have made a fortune on many of the previous antibiotics). I think the main issue is that bacteria are becoming much too clever and are outwitting us. We have not been able to find simple, cost-effective antibiotics to keep attacking them as we have in the past. It is scary that we may be reaching some kind of threshhold. I believe at least 50,000 people in the U.S. die every year from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and this number is probably increasing.
Feel better soon!
Hugs,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Gloria,
Recurrent UTI's are bummer aren't they. Wondering if the old trusted Cranberry juice at bedtime as a preventive measure is something you can tolerate?
I would not be quick to believe that it is a “lack of income potential” for the Pharmaceutical Companies that is the barrier to the generation newer antibiotics for the market. Antibiotics generate plenty of income. The limiting factors for newer generation antibiotic drugs are 1.) the continuing ability of microbes to adapt to successive drug regimes, as well as 2.) the ability and limitations of manipulating the basic chemical structure of the antibiotic molecule to achieve an effective, safe and viable end product.
For slightly less than a century now mankind has relied on the duo of --- 1.) Vaccination technology and 2.) Antibiotic therapy --- to combat infectious diseases. To a very large extent, the pestilence’s of infectious diseases, which served as a very effective limitation on world population expansion, have been controlled, and sometimes defeated, by this dual approach of the 20th century.
Antibiotics have served us well – and they have become a major convenience -- which we have all learned to take for granted.
Undoubtedly … way to much for granted!!!
But it has also been understood and well known that the end of the era of infection control using antibiotic therapy is on the horizon. The continued ability to develop newer, stronger and inevitably harsher antibiotics is, by the very nature of the chemical molecules which must be basis of these drugs, -- a self limiting proposition.
Successive generations of antibiotics are generated chemically -- by making small manipulations to the basic (or core) molecule of an antibiotic type. Example: the well known cephalosporins are now at 5th generation status. Look at all the various families of antibiotics, from the older sulfonamides and penicillins -- to the more recent quinolones and aminoglycosides. Successive generations have been generated in of all of them.
The ability to manipulate all those base molecules to produce a newer drugs that are both efficacious and safe -- is unfortunately not limitless. While there are undoubtedly many maneuvers possible when going about altering the structure of a molecule, to produce a slightly altered molecule, it is the necessity of also meeting many criteria such as being a stable molecule - which is also both effective and safe - that places definite, and major, limits on the potential variables that can be developed for clinical use.
Hopefully there are some bright minds out there somewhere on the planet working to come up with new strategy to fight infectious disease. What is really needed are not newer and stronger antibiotics, but a NEW (and different) PARADIGM of infection control. Hopefully (wishfully) there are some imaginative young (or old) minds out there working at this need. Anyone with a viable idea
and plan in this area would certainly become the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates of the world!!!
Hang the contiuned new generations and apps ... of I-pads and I-phones, and take all this technology in a different direction. Just think what might be possible?
Meanwhile, probably best thinking is to -- to keep the old, and still trusty, vaccinations up to date.
Best,
Gayle
Recurrent UTI's are bummer aren't they. Wondering if the old trusted Cranberry juice at bedtime as a preventive measure is something you can tolerate?
I would not be quick to believe that it is a “lack of income potential” for the Pharmaceutical Companies that is the barrier to the generation newer antibiotics for the market. Antibiotics generate plenty of income. The limiting factors for newer generation antibiotic drugs are 1.) the continuing ability of microbes to adapt to successive drug regimes, as well as 2.) the ability and limitations of manipulating the basic chemical structure of the antibiotic molecule to achieve an effective, safe and viable end product.
For slightly less than a century now mankind has relied on the duo of --- 1.) Vaccination technology and 2.) Antibiotic therapy --- to combat infectious diseases. To a very large extent, the pestilence’s of infectious diseases, which served as a very effective limitation on world population expansion, have been controlled, and sometimes defeated, by this dual approach of the 20th century.
Antibiotics have served us well – and they have become a major convenience -- which we have all learned to take for granted.
Undoubtedly … way to much for granted!!! But it has also been understood and well known that the end of the era of infection control using antibiotic therapy is on the horizon. The continued ability to develop newer, stronger and inevitably harsher antibiotics is, by the very nature of the chemical molecules which must be basis of these drugs, -- a self limiting proposition.
Successive generations of antibiotics are generated chemically -- by making small manipulations to the basic (or core) molecule of an antibiotic type. Example: the well known cephalosporins are now at 5th generation status. Look at all the various families of antibiotics, from the older sulfonamides and penicillins -- to the more recent quinolones and aminoglycosides. Successive generations have been generated in of all of them.
The ability to manipulate all those base molecules to produce a newer drugs that are both efficacious and safe -- is unfortunately not limitless. While there are undoubtedly many maneuvers possible when going about altering the structure of a molecule, to produce a slightly altered molecule, it is the necessity of also meeting many criteria such as being a stable molecule - which is also both effective and safe - that places definite, and major, limits on the potential variables that can be developed for clinical use.
Hopefully there are some bright minds out there somewhere on the planet working to come up with new strategy to fight infectious disease. What is really needed are not newer and stronger antibiotics, but a NEW (and different) PARADIGM of infection control. Hopefully (wishfully) there are some imaginative young (or old) minds out there working at this need. Anyone with a viable idea
and plan in this area would certainly become the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates of the world!!! Hang the contiuned new generations and apps ... of I-pads and I-phones, and take all this technology in a different direction. Just think what might be possible?
Meanwhile, probably best thinking is to -- to keep the old, and still trusty, vaccinations up to date.
Best,
Gayle
Hi Zizzle,
I considered using the D-Mannose I have on hand, but noticed that it listed rice as an ingredient, probably as a filler. I probably should look for some w/o any of my intolerences. I tried it before when I still tolerated rice, but didn't find it effective.
Gayle,
I drank unsweetened cranberry juice each morning after my last UTI 2 years ago. Unfortunately, the MRT test listed cranberries as my second most reactive food.
Polly,
Thanks for reminding me to take some extra vitamin D until this passes. I totally forgot that we should increase it when we're sick. I had a pretty high level when tested in February - 92 - and felt comfortable reducing it for the summer.
Polly and Gayle,
I appreciate your discussions re antibiotics. There doesn't seem to be a simple solution for the increasing resistance by bacteria. The recent story about the college girl who had the flesh-eating bacteria and lost her hands and foot was grisly. I hope that's not the future without effective antibiotics.
Gloria
I considered using the D-Mannose I have on hand, but noticed that it listed rice as an ingredient, probably as a filler. I probably should look for some w/o any of my intolerences. I tried it before when I still tolerated rice, but didn't find it effective.
Gayle,
I drank unsweetened cranberry juice each morning after my last UTI 2 years ago. Unfortunately, the MRT test listed cranberries as my second most reactive food.
Polly,
Thanks for reminding me to take some extra vitamin D until this passes. I totally forgot that we should increase it when we're sick. I had a pretty high level when tested in February - 92 - and felt comfortable reducing it for the summer.
Polly and Gayle,
I appreciate your discussions re antibiotics. There doesn't seem to be a simple solution for the increasing resistance by bacteria. The recent story about the college girl who had the flesh-eating bacteria and lost her hands and foot was grisly. I hope that's not the future without effective antibiotics.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
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wonderwoman
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 574
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:59 pm
- Location: Sun City, AZ
My daughter told me garlic is a natural antibiotic. I did a google search and found several sites that suport this claim including some for treating UTI. Worth a try if you can tollerate garlic. Good luck Gloria.
http://www.naturalnews.com/029149_antib ... arlic.html
http://blessedmommy.hubpages.com/hub/Ga ... Antibiotic
http://www.naturalnews.com/029149_antib ... arlic.html
http://blessedmommy.hubpages.com/hub/Ga ... Antibiotic
Charlotte
The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison. Ann Wigmore
The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison. Ann Wigmore
Gloria,
Well -- I did wonder about Cranberry juice with all your tolerance issues.
However, FWIW … if others are reading this, the major objective of using something with a high acid content such as cranberry juice in attempt to prevent (NOT CURE) recurrent UTI is that there is simply a larger accumulation of urine over night in the bladder. Thus, the additional acid of the cranberry juice at bedtime provides a slightly elevated acid mantle to the urine accumulation sitting in the bladder overnight. Theory here being that bacteria do not thrive in an acidic atmosphere. However, if the cranberry juice scheme is attempted, but the same juice is taken in the morning instead of at night, the increased amount of fluid intake during the day, plus more frequent bladder emptying during the day, will dilute the anticipated elevated acid level effect. So exactly how this approach is used (evening –Vs – morning) is a fairly important aspect of any potential for success.
If you have had multiple UTI’s in fairly recent history – it may be time to get a full Urological workup. Sometimes treating these Urinary tract issues is more complicated than just throwing the same antibiotic at it repeatedly. Could there be some other situation present which is leading to an increased propensity for these infections. Or - is this treatment never entirely eradicating the infectious agent. Or - is this really an infection at all, but rather symptoms that mimic an infection? UTI symptoms can arise from other sources beyond the urinary tract itself.
Get better soon.
Gayle
Well -- I did wonder about Cranberry juice with all your tolerance issues.
However, FWIW … if others are reading this, the major objective of using something with a high acid content such as cranberry juice in attempt to prevent (NOT CURE) recurrent UTI is that there is simply a larger accumulation of urine over night in the bladder. Thus, the additional acid of the cranberry juice at bedtime provides a slightly elevated acid mantle to the urine accumulation sitting in the bladder overnight. Theory here being that bacteria do not thrive in an acidic atmosphere. However, if the cranberry juice scheme is attempted, but the same juice is taken in the morning instead of at night, the increased amount of fluid intake during the day, plus more frequent bladder emptying during the day, will dilute the anticipated elevated acid level effect. So exactly how this approach is used (evening –Vs – morning) is a fairly important aspect of any potential for success.
If you have had multiple UTI’s in fairly recent history – it may be time to get a full Urological workup. Sometimes treating these Urinary tract issues is more complicated than just throwing the same antibiotic at it repeatedly. Could there be some other situation present which is leading to an increased propensity for these infections. Or - is this treatment never entirely eradicating the infectious agent. Or - is this really an infection at all, but rather symptoms that mimic an infection? UTI symptoms can arise from other sources beyond the urinary tract itself.
Get better soon.
Gayle
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amberlink09
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:44 pm
- Location: United States
I'm sorry you have a UTI! I know they can be awful. I definitely second the D-mannose suggestion though. I was on cipro for over a month with my first kidney infection a year ago (first through IV then about 2000 mg/day) and my infection didn't clear up until I started taking D-mannose with cranactin and drinking blueberry juice. It may have just been a coincidence but I really think the D-mannose helped. With my second kidney infection the cipro wasn't helping at all again, so my doctor switched me to levaquin which worked much better, even though it was pretty expensive. I hate being on such strong antibiotics, but I know how fast UTIs take a turn for the worse so it's worth it.
Also, I was taking the solaray brand of D-mannose with cranactin, here's the ingredient list: Vegetable cellulose capsule, cellulose, magnesium hydroxide, silica and magnesium stearate. Hope you get to feeling better soon!
Also, I was taking the solaray brand of D-mannose with cranactin, here's the ingredient list: Vegetable cellulose capsule, cellulose, magnesium hydroxide, silica and magnesium stearate. Hope you get to feeling better soon!
Hi,
I took 3 D-Mannose pills last night and this morning and I'm having D. I also took 3,000 IUs of additional D3 last night and this morning. It was getting worse and I called the doctor. My antibiotic has been changed to something called nitrofurantoin mono mac. I can't take Bactrin because I'm highly allergic to it and all sulfa drugs.
I'm still waiting for the nitrofurantoin to kick in; I'm starting to have pain. I hope it starts working soon. It's been 6 hours since I took it.
Gayle,
My bladder gets emptied at least a couple of times a night LOL. I wish I could roll over and fall asleep like DH does, but I always have to get up. Your insight is good, though. I never thought about the need for the acid to stay in the bladder for a longer period of time. I'm unable to eat any acidic foods which probably contributes to the problem.
Gloria
I took 3 D-Mannose pills last night and this morning and I'm having D. I also took 3,000 IUs of additional D3 last night and this morning. It was getting worse and I called the doctor. My antibiotic has been changed to something called nitrofurantoin mono mac. I can't take Bactrin because I'm highly allergic to it and all sulfa drugs.
I'm still waiting for the nitrofurantoin to kick in; I'm starting to have pain. I hope it starts working soon. It's been 6 hours since I took it.
Gayle,
My bladder gets emptied at least a couple of times a night LOL. I wish I could roll over and fall asleep like DH does, but I always have to get up. Your insight is good, though. I never thought about the need for the acid to stay in the bladder for a longer period of time. I'm unable to eat any acidic foods which probably contributes to the problem.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Well, I've been on the second antibiotic since Saturday and I still have a UTI. I went to my PCP's associate yesterday and she took a specimen to send out for a culture. That will take a couple of days. She said my specimen had blood in it. I asked if I should see a Urologist and she said it would probably be a good idea and recommended one. I have an appointment with the Urologist Friday morning. She gave me a pill to help with the pain (yes, I'm now having pain) and to reduce the frequency, but it's only for two days.
I drank some cranberry juice this morning out of desperation. I haven't noticed any worse GI symptoms.
I told DH that all of my physical ailments can be found in a 6" circle: hernia, UTI, MC, and now, a painful hemorrhoid. I think I have bad tubing.
I've been dealing with this for two weeks with little relief and am pretty miserable. MC seems to be the least of my concerns at the moment.
I just read some comments about D-Mannose in powder form and people raved about it. One person commented "My urologist had me go to the hospital and get IV infusions of gentimycin and for those of you who don't know what that is - it is one of the most powerful drugs available and it has many many bad side effects!" I'm a little distrustful of seeing another doctor. My PCP understands my need for my restricted diet, but a different doctor might not.
I'm going to buy some powder form of D-Mannose by KAL tomorrow and hope it is pure with no other risky ingredients. I might try another small glass of cranberry juice tonight.
Thank you for all of your suggestions.
Gloria
I drank some cranberry juice this morning out of desperation. I haven't noticed any worse GI symptoms.
I told DH that all of my physical ailments can be found in a 6" circle: hernia, UTI, MC, and now, a painful hemorrhoid. I think I have bad tubing.
I've been dealing with this for two weeks with little relief and am pretty miserable. MC seems to be the least of my concerns at the moment.I just read some comments about D-Mannose in powder form and people raved about it. One person commented "My urologist had me go to the hospital and get IV infusions of gentimycin and for those of you who don't know what that is - it is one of the most powerful drugs available and it has many many bad side effects!" I'm a little distrustful of seeing another doctor. My PCP understands my need for my restricted diet, but a different doctor might not.
I'm going to buy some powder form of D-Mannose by KAL tomorrow and hope it is pure with no other risky ingredients. I might try another small glass of cranberry juice tonight.
Thank you for all of your suggestions.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
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wonderwoman
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 574
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:59 pm
- Location: Sun City, AZ
When I mentioned garlic as a natural antibiotic I was recommending garlic capsules. I have the Kyolic brand on hand. Recommends taking 4 a day. I would even take more when having problems. It's free of sodium, yeast, dairy, preservatives, sugar, gluten artificial colors and flavoring.
Our puppy had a severe UTI and was passing crystals in her urine. Besides giving her an antibiotic for 6 weeks because we just couldn't clear her urine, I also gave her cranberry capsules. From what I read, they do not cure the UTI but coat the lining of the bladder making it slippery so the bacteria doesn't stick to the walls.
Our puppy had a severe UTI and was passing crystals in her urine. Besides giving her an antibiotic for 6 weeks because we just couldn't clear her urine, I also gave her cranberry capsules. From what I read, they do not cure the UTI but coat the lining of the bladder making it slippery so the bacteria doesn't stick to the walls.
Charlotte
The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison. Ann Wigmore
The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison. Ann Wigmore
Charlotte,
I forgot that you mentioned using garlic. I do use garlic salt when I cook a leg of lamb. I don't know if it bothers me or not. My MRT test results list it as about 1.8, at the high end of non-reactive, so I don't use it very much. A score of 1.4 seems to be the highest I can go safely. Nonetheless, I took 1/2 cup of cranberry juice again this morning.
I'm going to buy the rice-free D-Mannose this morning and see if it helps. I hope something works before I see the urologist tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me of your suggestions. I'm on a day-to-day trial of things and will keep garlic in mind if these other remedies don't work.
I'm wondering about mangos being high in histamine. Some websites cite it as high; others recommend it. It's very confusing. I really hate to give them up because they're the only fruit I seem to tolerate. I'd have to replace them with something else if I did, and I don't know what that would be. When I gave up pudding, I replaced it with mango. I feel the need to have something cool and refreshing besides water at some time during the day. Fruit fits the bill, but it has given me D in the past.
Gloria
I forgot that you mentioned using garlic. I do use garlic salt when I cook a leg of lamb. I don't know if it bothers me or not. My MRT test results list it as about 1.8, at the high end of non-reactive, so I don't use it very much. A score of 1.4 seems to be the highest I can go safely. Nonetheless, I took 1/2 cup of cranberry juice again this morning.
I'm going to buy the rice-free D-Mannose this morning and see if it helps. I hope something works before I see the urologist tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me of your suggestions. I'm on a day-to-day trial of things and will keep garlic in mind if these other remedies don't work.
I'm wondering about mangos being high in histamine. Some websites cite it as high; others recommend it. It's very confusing. I really hate to give them up because they're the only fruit I seem to tolerate. I'd have to replace them with something else if I did, and I don't know what that would be. When I gave up pudding, I replaced it with mango. I feel the need to have something cool and refreshing besides water at some time during the day. Fruit fits the bill, but it has given me D in the past.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
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There was a report on the evening news about antibiotic resistant uti's in women being linked to a strain of e-coli found in antibiotic treated chickens.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/ ... cken-utis/
Jean
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/ ... cken-utis/
Jean
I just read a report that probiotics were most helpful in women with recurrent UTIs, so you may want to up your Culturelle?
Drug resistance is so scary. Nitrofurantoin, AKA Macrobid, is not a very potent antibiotic, IMHO. It's usually a first-line treatment for UTIs, and I used it a lot back when I was prone to them. Many women take it daily to prevent recurrent UTIs - a practice that freaks me out. I later read about its possible side effects and wondered whether it might have contributed to my autoimmunity, but I think it's generally safe compared to other antibiotics.
Here's the list of possible effects:
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/nitrofurantoin ... fects.html
Drug resistance is so scary. Nitrofurantoin, AKA Macrobid, is not a very potent antibiotic, IMHO. It's usually a first-line treatment for UTIs, and I used it a lot back when I was prone to them. Many women take it daily to prevent recurrent UTIs - a practice that freaks me out. I later read about its possible side effects and wondered whether it might have contributed to my autoimmunity, but I think it's generally safe compared to other antibiotics.
Here's the list of possible effects:
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/nitrofurantoin ... fects.html