So, my day was running along fairly smoothly. I got up, I had a coffee, I had a shower. I spent an hour or so trying to curse my hair into place. I was surprisingly unsuccessful with regards to my hair. Normally a good curse will put anything in it's place, but not a cowlick.
I needed to pick up a few things at Ikea, so at around 10:30 a.m. I hopped into the car and made my way directly to their candle section. For the first time in Ikea history, I did not wander, I did not pick something else up. I got the candles and left. I didn't even stop for a 50¢ hotdog, even though it was lunchtime and even though, although not technically hungry, I certainly could have eaten one and enjoyed it.
I got home, made another coffee and decided it was time to pee. If you listen closely you can probably still hear the echo of my screams bouncing off some goat filled mountain range. The thing about a bladder infection is even if you've never had one before, the minute you experience it, you know what it is. Technically I'm not sure if it's a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection. Either way, it hurts like a misplaced red hot fire poker.
I've probably had 4 or 5 bladder infections in my lifetime. One of them just happened to be earlier this year which led me to the discovery of the Frozen Yogourt Tampon. A cure for yeast infections. You see, if you get a bladder infection, chances are your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic which will in turn give you a yeast infection. Fun, right?
Almost as fun as a plantar wart at the age of almost 50. Plantar warts are remarkably easy to remove with those home kits by the way.
So once I realzied I had screaming pain in my nether regions, I immediately called the doctor. And this is what they said.
"I'm sorry stupid, we've left the office for the day and will not be returning until tomorrow, at which point you'll have already visited a hospital or will have attempted to amputate whichever appendage it is that's ailing you with a hacksaw and some dental floss. We're fine with either choice so long as you don't bother us with it."
Or at least that's what I heard when the answering machine at the doctor's office announced they were closed for the day. At noon.
So I did the stupidest thing anyone could do. I searched for answers to my ailment on the Internet. This is risky because as I've said before, the Internet is a big fat liar. Now, this is particularly risky because according to Google, every pain or symptom leads to cancer. Usually a brain tumour. And if you read any forums dedicated to bladder infections chances are they'll have the same advice the make believe doctor's message had. Go the the hospital or cut your own hoo hoo off. In case it's cancer.
In terms of cures I found the regular bizarro Google stuff, stand on your head, eat baking soda, watch the first season of Moonlighting followed by 7 consecutive jumping jacks.
I actually took the advice in terms of the baking soda and immediately drank an 8 ounce glass of water with a ½ tsp. of baking soda in it. I dunno why. It seemed plausible.
But I also found the cure that everyone has heard of for bladder infections. Drink cranberry juice. And ... drink a lot of water. Apparently a bladder infection is bacteria that's attached itself to the cells lining your bladder and urethra. Cranberry juice contains chemical compounds that help stop the bacteria from sticking to the cells. Water does the same thing, along with washing away the unstuck bacteria. Kind of like rinsing out a stinky flower vase.
I whipped to the pharmacy and asked my pharmacist if she had any ideas as to what I could do and she suggested the same thing. In fact, she said she once got rid of a bladder infection using these methods.
So I went to my local health food store and bought some concentrated Cranberry liquid for $16 and headed home where I drank 500 ml of water ever hour. The cranberry liquid is extremely concentrated so you only have to drink a Tablespoon of it a day. I also took a tiny chug of it at the end of the day.
I peed about every half hour. And every time I peed I could feel the infection getting less and less painful.
I continued my regime for a full 2 days and am still taking the Tablespoon of cranberry juice a day. And my infection seems to be gone. Just looking at a glass of water makes me nauseous, but my symptoms are gone. As far as I can tell anyway. If it comes back I'll go to the doctor, but for now it appears as though I obliterated my bladder infection. All on my own.
I wouldn't recommend this method if you have a full blown, raging bladder infection that has you doubled over in pain and cursing your mother for birthing you, but if you're in the very beginning stages of it, this old fashioned cure seems to work.
If you're reading this right now thinking, yeah well ... the Internet is a big fat liar. You're right. It is. But I'm not the Internet. I'm a just a gal typing away on my laptop, who has a perfectly healthy and happy hoo hoo. Hurray.
Please note: I can only endorse cures and methods I've tested myself on myself.
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Monique D
Well, obviously we are all doctors when it comes to this. Never one to comment up to now, but it's time to throw my hat into this ring. IF you need to take antibiotics, and let's face it, it's going to happen, go and buy some acidophilus pills - take them three times a day, and this will head off any nasty yeast infections. I'm also a big fan of cranberry pills and take them at the first sign of pain. Works a charm. Rx.
Karen
Well I'm flattered this has prompted you to comment! Lady part's will do that to a person. ~ karen
Jess
10 seconds before I hopped on my computer to obsesively check my google reader, I was in the bathroom more or less screaming at my husband about yet another bladder infection. He quivered in the corner, hoping I would forget that I was peeing every 19 seconds and that it hurt like hell. After I saw what your blog was about, I started laughing and was suddenly in a better mood.
My husband and my hoo hoo thank you for the advice!
Karen
Drink that water! Good luck! ~ karen
Liz
Years ago my family physician actually 'prescribed' cranberry juice for a urinary tract infection (he also offered antibiotics if I wanted them). He said the cranberry juice changes the PH (acidity) in the bladder making it hostile to the growth of bacteria. I've used the method many times and it seems to work - I've even downed a can of cranberry jelly in a moment of desperation when I couldn't get access to juice.
Oona
"a perfectly healthy and happy hoo hoo". That's all we can really ask for, right? lol
Jennifer Hamilton
According to my doc, the AZO tablets are the same (lower dose) as what he would prescribe to numb the 'region'. It's ok to take for a few days, but you don't want to push it and end up with a kidney infection. Unless you like hospitals. Anyways, water, cranberry and cleansing pee after sex keeps me UTI free.
Shauna
Well sounds like you had a great couple of days!! I've recently taken my son to a homeopath Dr. He suggested that sometimes our body needs the baking soda drink. Especially if we drink pop, he says it just balances the system out! It's disgusting though, I think I had made mine with much more baking soda...lol And trying to see a DR these days is more painful than a bladder infection!! Stupid shortage :( Glad your feeling better Karen, so you can share all your creative goodness with us!
Jeff
I have no real comment here. Oh, except that I look forward to your next post that involves oh, i don't know, making an attic fan out of cereal boxes, door hinges and a spare garbage disposal unit. Thanks.
Edwina
I would say I am somewhat an expert on this topic. There was a time in my life where I was getting about 4 UTI's a year. My doctor told me that if I got 5 a year I would be prescribed very low dose antibiotic to take regularly - AWESOME right?
The antibiotics I was taking to cure the UTI's were making things worse. The doctor kept upping the dosage and I was getting severe side effects.
...and then I found THE CURE. It's called Uratonic Tea made by a company called FLORA.
It can usually be found at most health food stores. They're out of production at the moment because they only use the freshest herbs and if they can't get them they don't manufacture their tea. So stock up when they restock the shelves.
DOSAGE: drink up to four cups daily. You simply boil water and steep the tea for 10-15 minutes and then drink plain, without sugar.
While dealing with an infection it's also wise to stay away from caffeine, chocolate, alcohol and citrus fruits and refined sugars.
And finally a WARNING to anyone who hasn't had experience with UTI's or bladder infections: if you don't catch it infection early enough I would advise going to see a healthcare professional.
I was told that left untreated the infection can travel upward to your other organs like your kidney and eventually your heart.
Todd@PhitZone
Dang, them Canadian docs are so rude. I digress. I'd always heard about the cranberry cure, and it wasn't until my wife had one, and most recently one of my daughters. We went the route of the juice, and it helped. I like the idea of the concentrate vs. the sugary filled juice in the grocery store. I'll keep this in mind for the next time.
Karen-Emmanuelle
I think I have a permanent membership to UTIs AND yeast infections :-(. My urologist (yes, it's that bad) told me that the key to prevent bladder infections or simply bladder problems is being regular - as in number 2 ;-). And even though he says that cranberry juice has no real effect, I swear by it. As soon as I feel that uncomfortable pinching, I drink litres of it! And like you, the problem usually goes away.
Sarah
This is so interesting- I have thought about seeing a urologist before for chronic recurrent uti's but haven't yet... Just out of curiostiy why does the urologist say that going #2 regularly can help prevent uti's? Thank you so much!!
Rose
You posted this exactly when I needed it - a perfect reminder that I can, indeed, take care of myself. Kisses.
CB
The best way to avoid getting a UTI is taking oil of oregano, it is a natural antibiotic. I used to get UTIs ALL THE TIME and haven't had one since I started taking Oreganol daily (found in capsules or oil drops at the health food store). Even if you don't have a UTI taking this stuff helps to avoid any kind of infection, cold, flu etc.
mimi
I'm with you on this one Karen, though I take a cocktail (not THAT kind, wish it was the cure!), cranberry (i get the extract in capsules), vitamin C 9good for fighting any infection) and stuff called Uva Ursi- it's like echinacea but specifically for bladder infections.
Works every time, provided, as you say, you get it early.
One other pleasant remedy for relief of symptoms is a bath with bergamot and lavender essential oil.
I agree with you re keeping antibiotic intake to a minimum- they're great, but overused.
Bev
Got my first UTI three years ago, 10.30am sitting at work minding my own, and got up to go to the loo, three seconds later I was doubled over and gripping the edges of the cubicle, whilst tears streamed down my cheeks. Back at my desk, I took a pain killer and approx. 7minutes later I did the same thing again this time with copious amounts of blood. THIS is the point I freaked out. One of my colleagues told me what it was and told me to go to the walk in clinic up the road I asked my boss if I could take my lunch early, to go, but was still there and sobbing at 3pm, having made a trip to the loo on average every 5 minutes since arriving. When I finally saw the male nurse he poked and prodded my belly in such a way that if I had had the energy I would have kicked him. They gave me drugs and sent me home. 5 days later I felt mostly healed. I have NEVER known agony like it. Nothing feels like that feels. Even thinking about it makes me wince.
A year later, exactly the same thing happened and this time at home my regular doctor (male) said to me 'What makes you think its a UTI?' Um... I don't know, it feels different to a broken nail??? JA-HE-SA-HUS! I KNOW my body, I KNOW this pain, and how dare you patronise me and think I could be wrong! But he needed to do his little tests... Can you guess what was wrong with me...? OH YES A UTI!!!!
Cranberry works best as a preventative, so a daily teaspoon is an awesome way to go. In NZ we get pill form cranberry extract, like taking a vitamin - its been my saving grace, that, and the pee after sex thing...
Megan C
I have the misfortune of always getting ill on Fridays. My doc closes early on Fridays. So when I get a uti its always run for the cranberry juice and constant water intake. I also eat yogurt daily it helps with such things. I am also the kind of person who will suffer through and self medicate before going to a doctor or hospital. I waited 4 hours and drove myself to the doctor with kidneys stones. It was early morning and I didn't want to call and wake anyone and my Husband was in Iraq. Next time I will just call 911 cause that's some pain and I don't know how I managed that day.
Laura
there are cranberry pills girls! Take 5 the minute you get an infection and no more pain. Keep taking several every few hours with tons of water until you feel sure it's cleared up. Then, if you want, you can take some every day for the rest of your life to ensure you will never get another infection again.
Adrienne Audrey
I used to suffer from UTI's all the time. I always make sure I have some extra antibiotics around in case. Now I can identify the symptoms of an infection before it becomes full blown where i would need antibiotics. As soon as I start to feel like I am getting an infection I take cranberry pills and chug water all day long. That usually clears it up before it becomes a big problem.
Valerie
I agree with Karen...do the Cranberry Juice, not the Cranberry cocktail stuff you get at the grocery store; it has to be the pure juice or better still the concentrated form that Karen suggested. If you do end up at a walk in clinic and are prescribed the "urinary tract pain killer," the one that turns your urine bright orange, put on black panties right after your first dose. Otherwise you will NEVER get any of the orange residue out of your underwear. Whether you use the juice or end up on antibiotics you will have to urinate frequently until your bladder begins to recover...where to urinate - in a warm bath, not a shower.
Rebecca Burnett
I don't mess with that cranberry nonsense. This is no time to care about fair-trade organic stuff grown by gnomes. I go straight to the walk-in clinic or hospital (yeah, I know it's supposed to be for emergencies, but I've never had a bladder infection that wasn't a RAGING one, and I've had a lot of them. Thank god for OHIP). There they will give you drugs that start working almost right away, and if you know what you're talking about (and I do) and you ask nicely, they will prescribe a painkiller for UTIs on top of the antibiotic and that will work immediately. Pain gone! Orange pee, but no pain. And no trips to the bathroom every other minute to squeeze out one painful droplet of pee. Now if you're smart (and I am) you will save some of those painkiller pills for the next time you are struck down by an evil infection! However, peeing immediately after sex (and I mean IMMEDIATELY, like, "Thanks, get offa me, gotta go") has now kept me free and clear for several years.
Karen
Rebecca - lol. I would rather drink water than wait in a walk in clinic for hours. Blech. Besides, I'm no crazed health nut by any means but I like to keep my antibiotic intake at a minimum. For one thing they IMMEDIATELY give me a yeast infection. Also it's fun to know you can cure yourself with something as simple as juice and water. It works almost immediately. I was astonished! Now the painkillers ... that's another story. :). - Karen
patricia faye
I saw doctor, and she prescribed ALPRIM, 6 tablets, take 1 a day,,,,feeling awful, like inside passage swollen ...will get Cranberry juice a s a p.Also, hate the side effects of Yeast infection after antibiotics? cant believe it, one is as bad as the other.
Karen
It sounds like you're probably have a bad urinary tract infection. :( Keep up with the medication. But lots of water and cranberry juice will help flush you out. Good luck. ~ karen!
missy
good advise. I am 31 and have recently had a few bladder infections, they keep having to switch the antibiotic, since they have been resistant. I also have gotten raging infections both times after sex and after getting off amoxicillan, I will definatly start peeing right after intercourse. the uroligist suggests, baking soda and maple syrup, d-mannose, lots of vitamin c,probiotics, and cranberry. for prevention and treatment.
Linda
The same thing happens to me. I get raging infections after intercourse, almost on a bi-weekly basis. Sometimes more often. I've had roughly 20 infections in the last year. My doctor is very concerned. I am resistant to some antibiotics now.
I do pee after intercourse now (unless I fall asleep) and it does help. Most recently I've discovered that if I give myself regular warm water (plain) douches regularly after symptoms develop (and they start fast and intense) I can alleviate the pain within 15 min. I combine this with a hot (hot as I can stand) shallow bath. The heat over the vagina is a godsend. Follow up with regular warm water douches over the next few days if not less, and voila, it's gone. I haven't needed to take antibiotics for my last few infections and I'm thrilled.
Ruth
Rebecca, fortunately for you, it seems you have never had a serious or chronic problem with UTIs... and therefore, you're a bit cocky with your diagnosis AGAINST natural remedies... unfortunately for me, I do have a chronic problem. And the absolute LAST thing that I want to do is taje any medication, because medication is what got me to the point at which I am at! Little do the doctors tell you that a UTI medication will give many women a yeast infection, for which we have to take another medication, after which our entire system is stripped of all bacteria, good and bad! (and to make good bacteria, it takes a lot more work for the body than just supplementing with probiotics for a few days) And, they don't tell you that after you have a few of these treatments, that you can actually develop an immunity to the medications AND develop very strong forms of infections which won't leave your system. So now, BECAUSE of your lovely medications, I have chronic UTIs and yeast infections. My system can't maintain a good balance of natural probiotics and is extremely weak. So now... what do I do? I use teas (organic nettle, raspberry, dandelion mixes). I have my homemade kombucha and (raw milk) kefir at the start of meals. I drink Bragg's apple cider vinegar with honey and lemon and warm water. I ingest a tsp of baking soda with warm water when I'm in dire pain. I supplement with d-Mannon / cranberry and pineapple extract. After peeing, I wipe with a tea tree oil solution. Sometimes I even stick tampons up there soaked with a tea tree solution. I drink TONS of water every morning. AND STILL, I have to be careful when I have sex and when I go swimming or when I work long hours with little relief for that area. So NO THANKS to medication. Thank you very much.
Mary
Have you tried AZO Standard? I've taken it and it's helped me. A lot. Also, it turns your pee bright, florescent orange. Honestly, it's almost worth it just to see your urine paint the walls of your toilet. (That's gross, but I figured you could handle the imagery)