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Here's to Your Health:  UTI's  |
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Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 31 2005 : 11:36:05 PM
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Anyone have ideas for helping with reoccuring UTI'S?
I hope this isn't Too much informations BUUUTTTT...
I get so sick of being put on antibiotics over and over again.. I take all kinds of precautions at this point, and know all the rules according to the Doctors, no tight fitting pants, cotton unders, cranberry juice etc. etc.... I have a book called "you don't have to live with cystitis" (Cystitis is the medical term for uti's apparently) anyway I've been reading that and I've been able to reduce the frequency of them but I still get them about 3-5 times a year. Any natural ways to deal with this painful plague of the pee-er would be appriciated.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. James Stewart in the movie HARVEY |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2005 : 04:25:55 AM
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I use cranberry capsules if I think I'm starting to develop an infection. They're concentrated cranberry. It might be something that you could take on a daily basis for a while to see if that helps. I get them at Wal Mart, in with the vitamins.
Robin
Thyme For Ewe Farm
www.thymeforewe.com |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2005 : 08:30:11 AM
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I'm with Robin on the cranberry capsules (and the unsweetened juice can't hurt either! But yogurt, a good organic brand without alot of sweeteners seems to be my remedy for many things. The acidophyllus culture is beneficial for digestion, etc but I think it also helps with balancing pH that might be off kilter. We are what we eat! And drink so cut out any caffeinated or carbonated beverages, and reduce sugar consumption because they can all aggravate UTI's. I used to get them , but haven't had a case that needed antibiotics in years now that I use these approachs at the first sign of discomfort. Good Luck!
with a happy heart |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2005 : 08:49:57 AM
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I know that if I don't drink lots and lots of water I will get one every time. Especially in hotter weather. But I also have to be very careful about what I eat or drink. I absolutely love lemonade but if I drink more than one glass I will end up with an infection. Cranberry capsules would be a great thing to try. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Kay - Living in Beautiful Washington State
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face."
--Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Nana Naomi
Farmgirl in Training
41 Posts
Mary
Tyler, Texas
TX
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2005 : 09:16:03 AM
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Howdy!
It would seem that this is the season. I'm fighting the same battle using the same weapons! I'm also looking into the unmemtionables from that other strain. This seems to be a life-long fight! |
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Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2005 : 10:49:57 PM
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I really don't know how people can live like they do and not be totally messed up inside... I am referring to the fast food nation type people... never drinking water always drinking soda ...Latte's every day.. stuff like that.. if I did that I wouldn't be able to function!!
Maybe I'm just not as tough as the average bear.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. James Stewart in the movie HARVEY |
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sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2005 : 10:04:16 AM
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Bobbi, I didn't finish reading through the other posts so I hope this isn't redundant. It sounds like you bodies ph is too acidic. I'm not sure if you know anything about this healing method, but I know it works for many things like UTIs ans yeast infections as well as other reccuring problems. Ya see, these kind of infections thrive in acidic environments, they need it to survive. So if you can make the environment more alkine than it will give them no breeding ground. It's kind of what crannberry juice does but with crannberry juice it actually just flushes the system out, which is a good thing. But what I am recommending is taking pure apple cider vinager (the kind with the mother still in it) about a shot glass full everyday. You can take take it straight or dilute it with water and a little honey. But I'm telling ya it will help. People swear by this method.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com/artisan
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BillieKay
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
BillieKay
Centennial
Wyoming
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2005 : 11:32:36 PM
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I used to have chronic UTI's and got sick of the antibiotic route. I apprenticed with 2 local WONDERFUL herbalists and they encouraged me to drink lots of water with a little apple cider vinegar(mentioned earlier)and to take Uva Ursi or Cornsilk(don't use if pregnant)This worked like a charm for me.
Hope this helps.
BillieKay |
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Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 11:26:14 AM
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I've never heard of uva ursi or a cornsilk suppliment. What do they do? What is Uva Ursi? I am currently taking apple cider vinegar in water, concentrated cranberry pills and goldenseal, and have only added the vinegar last week. I've noticed it helping a lot, but if those other suppliments could benefit me too I'll check into it!
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 12:47:32 PM
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Uva Ursi is bearberry, if that is a name you know. It is really Cotoneaster uva ursi and is a ground cover type plant. That's all I can tell you about it from a horticultural point of view but I do know that it is common in native american medicinal lore.
with a happy heart |
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ivmeer
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Amanda
Pawtucket
RI
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 12:52:09 PM
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| I'm sure you've heard this before, but the most important thing to do to prevent UTIs is to urinate after you and your husband have sexual relations (any sexual contact at all, not just intercourse) |
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Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 7:00:04 PM
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yup we learned that little tidbit right after the honey moon 
On the topic of the bearberry I have indeed heard of that and I am currently taking a cranberry pill with bearberry in it, but I've never tried taking JUST the bearberry on it's own.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 7:07:14 PM
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After I had a UTI a year ago that went to a kidney infection, baths are discouraged. The information I recieved said that tub baths can increase chances of UTI... I always enjoyed a nice hot soak, but since that extremly painful kidney infection I have stuck to showers. Not to get too graphic, but wiping from front to back is also important, after using the toilet.
Being is what it is. Jean Paul Sartre |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2005 : 7:15:52 PM
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I'm so proud to be a bonafide Farmgirl amongst all the other bonafide Farmgirls. I love it - telling it like it is in a matter of fact and useful way. What's that saying?? "This ain't your mother's .... time/tea room/coffee clatch/era??" We rock! 
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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Edited by - Clare on Aug 09 2005 7:16:22 PM |
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Tatiana
True Blue Farmgirl
98 Posts
Tania
Boise
ID
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2005 : 07:21:01 AM
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The resident nurse (OB that is)wants to mention that chronic UTI's may not be that but could be interstitial cystitis which is a chronic inflamation unrelated to infection. I would check this out because, as you may know, constant antibiotic use can cause resistant strains of bacteria as well as cause yeast infections that can make your life pretty darn miserable. There are lots of sites out on the web but here is one for you. Good luck. http://www.ic-network.com/
From one who's been there,
Tania
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theherblady
True Blue Farmgirl
510 Posts
Jan
Glasford
Illinois
USA
510 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2005 : 07:35:53 AM
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I fought with UTI for years....Drinking cranberry juice and lots of water at first symptom...sometimes, UTI turns into yeast infection and vice versa....This may be too personal~~ But I finally got it under control and have been free for years...due to keeping "trimmed" if you know what I mean~~Especially when it is hot outside, I think sweating increases the chance for bacteria .
Jan |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2005 : 08:08:48 AM
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I havent had one in awhile but used to get them alot, especially in summer and especially when my husband & I were a little more "active". Wiping is very important so is the apple cider vinegar but my best advice is to make sure it is a UTI first. Like someone said in aa earlier post it sometimes mask's other things. I loathe antibiotics also & usually they give me a yeast infection, eating yogurt is also very good. Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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ivmeer
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Amanda
Pawtucket
RI
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2005 : 11:32:01 AM
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Yeast infections are another matter entirely. I recommend Azo yeast for people who have yeast problems. I've been taking it for a year and no yeast infections in that time. You don't even have to take it regularly if you don't want to. If you start to feel a bit "itchy," take a pill or two a day for a few days and it throws your body back in balance.
I don't even get yeast infections when I take antibiotics anymore. |
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Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2005 : 3:43:36 PM
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Tatiana,
I've read about interstitial cystitis and I am a little bit terrified that thats what I have, but I wanted to see if any of the natural UTI remedies worked. If they can keep me feeling ok, then I will have diagnosed myself as not having it! 
If after I try all these remedies, I still keep having problems I guess I will have to go talk to a professional. Everything I've read about inerstitial cystitis says there is no cure and all you can do is manage it like any other chronic problem... and many times Dr's act like you are a hypochondriac after a while at least thats the way it seemed when I had tendonitis for a couple of years... so if there is nothing anyone can really do for me I'm not too keen on being diagnosed with it.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2005 : 4:03:43 PM
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Bobbi, Go to a natural health food store. There are supplements available that balance out the yeast in your intestines. I did this after I had my appendix burst. Two weeks of antibiotics can really mess ya up. They are called Probotics... different brands, but ask for the most potent. If you'd like you can email me and I'll look up the brand that I got, which is at home. If your intestinal yeast factor is out of whack, it upsets your whole body.
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2005 : 4:31:34 PM
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OK, I'm the resident Urology nurse. See if you can find a copy of the recommended diet for Interstitial Cystitis--there is one. If you can't find one email me privately and I'll send you one from our office. Some people do really well eliminating certain aggravating foods and beverages from their diet. Absolutely stay away from caffeine in any form--coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas--it is very irritating to the bladder(and prostate)--so if you have any kind of a bladder problem get off the caffeine. One of the main things the IC diet does is eliminate acidic foods from the diet. Also(this is really a kidney stone thing but I think it's good advice for all)drink enough fluids(water being the best)that your urine output is greater than 2 liters per day.
It's all worth a try. Good luck.
"I suppose the pleasure of country life lies really in the eternally renewed evidence of the determination to live." Vita Sackville-West
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Tatiana
True Blue Farmgirl
98 Posts
Tania
Boise
ID
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2005 : 07:49:22 AM
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Good advice Marcia!
Prevention is most of the battle, right?
Tania |
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citygoatlady
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
82 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2005 : 11:21:43 PM
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Long ago I consistently got what appeared to be painful UTI's from the foam in the "condoms and foam", and the spermicidal jelly on the diaphragm. That was a "side" effect which I never saw mentioned by doctors. Just one more reason I promoted using your own body signs for natural family planning (in the book I wrote, see another post).
You can also try homeopathic "cantharis". Info on homeopathy is in this book: "Everybody's Guide to Homeopathy".
My mom often has UTI, and she recommends 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in water, once a day. That works quickly for her.
Bearberry or kinnickinnick grows wild in the western states and provinces, and lately I've noticed it here in the midwest as an ornamental. When I first saw them I ate the berries since I learned they were nutritional. Very dry and tasteless, however. |
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lareyna
True Blue Farmgirl
242 Posts
Arlene
Valley Ford
Ca
USA
242 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2005 : 08:00:09 AM
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| All of this advice is GREAT but as another nurse now among you just make sure you are keeping your MD informed of these remedies. I had bladder surgery 5 years ago due to recurring (monthly) UTI's. My bladder was basically "falling", and as a result was not emptying properly. Haven't had a bladder infection in 5 years. |
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Here's to Your Health: UTI's |
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UTI's
