LS, bladder infections and antibiotics

Hey, Barking, where have you been? Nice to know you're out there. I wonder how many readers we have who don't speak up much. Coming here makes the best of a bad situation for me. This is a very special forum. We all need to be able to talk about our gory details somewhere. I tried joining the Facebook groups, but it's like Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory – the topics whiz by so fast there's no time for meaningful exchange, just gobbling.

Hi Winifred--So sorry to hear about the UTI's and antibiotic allergies.  I also am allergic to most antibiotics and had a UTI this past spring--first one for me in probably 30 years.  In the past I had UTI's chonically and was on daily antibiotics for a couple of years (until I realized that the chronic hives that I'd had for a year were caused by the antibiotic).  What ended up making a huge difference for me was taking probiotics--I think that I'd taken so many antibiotics over the years that my gut and urinary flora was out of balance, which allowed me to keep getting the UTI's.  Now I eat natural sauerkraut, take probiotics, and cranberry tablets and have been overall doing much better.  Is there anything that you've tried that's helped you?  --Suzanne

Hello Suzanne, l have not tried anything except for drinking lots of cranberry juice l stopped when my Docter told me l would have to drink gallons to make a difference. The probiotics sounds like it would be a good idea for me l will give it a go . l take four different drugs a day so my system as taken a beating over the years, it could certainly do with some attention. l am going to try meditition l did it earlier this year but l seem to have reached a wall with it , my friend taught me to do it ,so l am hoping to get her to help me get back on it again , for a time it really chilled me out , my blood pressure came right down , l think its an ongoing kind of thing and as to be taken to different levels , its amazing really , that if you get your mind in the right place the rest of your body sorts itself out. Basically l,m up for trying anything !  XX

ps ... forget to mention water l drink loads of the stuff, going to take bottles out with me from now on X

Hi Winifred--The cranberry tablets are more concentrated so they don't require all of the gulping that the juice does.  I like Morrell's suggestion of yogurt too, if you're able to tolerate dairy (wish I were!).  While there are limits to probiotics since they just replace a few of the thousands that we have that are impacted by antibiotics, but they can definitely help some women with UTI's.  Also, some women actually apply yogurt vaginally, or insert a probiotic pill before bed to repopulate the area (though ingesting is probably sufficient). The gyno-urinary tract has a complex balance of organisms (as do all of the parts of our bodies that come in contact with the outside world) and the paradox is that antibiotics can help knock out the bad guys, but they also can hurt the good guys that protect us from the next infection--so anything that we can do to reestablish our natural defenses will help prevent UTI's and vaginal infections, too.  I read somewhere that women who use soap on their genitals run a much greater risk of UTI's (again, seems to wash away the good guys).  So, apparently for UTI prevention, as well as for LS, soap is not recommended.

Stress reduction and meditation can be very helpful in allowing our bodies to heal, which is difficult when we are running our sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight).  Need to be in our parasympathetic systems to do repair and healing in our bodies.  I think that Morrell has been a serious mediator.  Is that right, Morrell?  --Suzanne 

Have you tried drawing and painting Winifred?  It's my main form of meditation. 

If you're stress-free, then that's half the battle. I'd like to think Suzanne's suggestions for repopulating your good bacteria would help anyone who's been on multiple courses of antibiotics. I've been making my own yogurt with good starter powder from a cheesemaking supply house for a year or so. And organic milk that doesn't kill the good bacteria. I think it really helps my digestive system.

Hi Jenny , l was told by my docter that its a vicious circle if you have a thyroid condition ( l have) and LS which makes you more prone to water infections, the two together are a lethal combination. l just drink loads of water , l am going to start taking bottles of water out with me , its not easy though because you need the loo all the time! also going to try the probiotics Suzannne suggests. xx

Thanks for reply Winifred , I am sick of all the medication I have to take  for a lot of other things.when these antibiotics are finished will go back to my doctor. Then I have the dreaded biopsy to look forward to. i know I dont drink enough water but I am trying my best.

Hi Jenny, dont dread your biopsy , when the result comes back' good' you will feel much better, these things are not pleasent l know, but at least your docter is taking care of you .Take care.

Thanks Winifred, I know it has to be done but it is yet another aggravation to cope with. I take 24 tablets a day for my various problems and wonder if that has any bearing on LS.

Hi Jenny , l dont think it affects the LS taking tablets but l do think it effects your digestive system and water infections l always' sting '  the wee l have after taking my first tablets of the day after that its usually ok .