[Rumor]

I just want to say this is horrible. It's like pissing needles. Who's had them before and what did you do about it?

[moodymonster]

go to the doctor, get some amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin or something. It won't go on it's own and will only get worse and eventually get to your kidneys.

How do you know it's a UTI if you've not been to the doc's? Could be the clap.

[Ulrich Kinbote]

Thanks for sharing.

Going to the doctor is the only sensible thing to do. Of course, he's gonna have to touch your schlong, so I can understand the hesitation.

[kmkkid]

You may have an STI instead of a UTI. Get it checked. It can spread to your bladder, kidneys, and testes, causing infertilization.


Yes, I have had a UTI before, and yes it hurts like hell. You just have to take a few antibiotics, and all should be well within a few days.

[Rumor]

It's not an std, I am sure of it.

I had a UTI when I was about 13. My parents made me tough it out, and had me drink a lot of water and cranberry juice. That's what I'm trying right now.

I hate Western Medicine. Last time I had to see a doctor and get antibiotics, I ended up with stomach problems for almost six months! It always seems the "cure" will cause somethings else. The wanted to put me on more meds to fix my stomach. I decided against it and just waited for the good bacteria to grow back, also using probiotics to help the process.

[hickey]

When I read the title, I thought you meant Universal Technical Institute.

[moodymonster]

the cranberry juice makes for a difficult enivironment for the bacteria to take hold, but once it's there... Drinking lots of water and making sure you don't delay going to the toilet when you feel the need will help.

I haven't had a UTI, but my observations are that the antibiotics take effect quickly and effectively.

It could be that you had a bad reaction to a particular drug - some people don't get on with Trimethoprim, which is commonly used.

[Cody Dawg]

I once had a UTI. Fell into a pond in Fiji and got a UTI.

Next thing I knew I had pyelonephritis - then I got septicemia - then I was in the hospital for a stay and it wasn't much fun.

Let me tell you something: Don't screw around. Go to the doctor and get some antibiotics and kill whatever bug you have before it gets worse.

[Landos Mustache]

When I got strept throat right before i started treating it with Anti-biotics it felt like my wiener was a flame thrower.

Apparently Strept and Gonorrhea are the same bacteria in different locations.

[cybergoober]

I'll take a UTI over a kidney stone any day. Worst experience in my life. Though to be honest I've never had an UTI.

[bstone]

Originally Posted by moodymonster

go to the doctor, get some amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin or something. It won't go on it's own and will only get worse and eventually get to your kidneys.

How do you know it's a UTI if you've not been to the doc's? Could be the clap.

It's been my experience that amox isn't doing it these days. Augmentin or Bactrim or Septra. When needed Cipro, but the docs I work with use that as a last resort.

[bstone]

oh and regarding cranberry juice...make sure that "cranberry juice" is the first ingredient on the list and not sugar, otherwise it's not to potent.

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Apparently Strept and Gonorrhea are the same bacteria in different locations.

They're 2 different bacteria.

Strep throat (Group A Strep) is a gram positive cocci.

Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) is a gram negative diplococci.

However you can have a N. gonorrhoeae pharyngitis.

[ghporter]

Go. To. A. Doctor. Right. Away. Really. There are so many things that present as UTIs that aren't, that it's imperitive that you get seen and tested immediately. Examples include a couple of really nasty - and deadly if untreated - kidney maladies, a couple of things similar to kidney or bladder stones, and even the beginign of gout. You NEED a test to figure this out. Further, there are a number of UTI agents that are now resistant to many antibiotics-because people tough it out instead of getting treated and killing the beasties DEAD. That's bad for EVERYONE.

Most likely you're right and your bladder is hosting a microbe party-a not particularly civilized party. A couple of weeks of antibiotics and probably even this wonderful med that soothes your urethra (don't minimize how good it feels NOT to have it hurt to pee!) but turns your urine a deep orange (and stains). Worth while in my opinion!

Final advice for all-in the tropics, launder your bathing suit OFTEN, and BATHE WITH GOOD SOAP after swiming in untreated water. 'Nuff said?

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by ghporter

Go. To. A. Doctor. Right. Away. Really. There are so many things that present as UTIs that aren't, that it's imperitive that you get seen and tested immediately. Examples include a couple of really nasty - and deadly if untreated - kidney maladies, a couple of things similar to kidney or bladder stones, and even the beginign of gout. You NEED a test to figure this out. Further, there are a number of UTI agents that are now resistant to many antibiotics-because people tough it out instead of getting treated and killing the beasties DEAD. That's bad for EVERYONE.

Most likely you're right and your bladder is hosting a microbe party-a not particularly civilized party. A couple of weeks of antibiotics and probably even this wonderful med that soothes your urethra (don't minimize how good it feels NOT to have it hurt to pee!) but turns your urine a deep orange (and stains). Worth while in my opinion!

Final advice for all-in the tropics, launder your bathing suit OFTEN, and BATHE WITH GOOD SOAP after swiming in untreated water. 'Nuff said?

Agreed, but simple UTI's can be treated with antibiotics for 7-10 days, not necessarily weeks. In fact a 3 day course of Levaquin is the duration of treatment for simple UTIs.

[bstone]

Originally Posted by cjrivera

Agreed, but simple UTI's can be treated with antibiotics for 7-10 days, not necessarily weeks. In fact a 3 day course of Levaquin is the duration of treatment for simple UTIs.

None of the docs I work with have ever considered using Levaquin to treat a simple UTI. It's like dropping a neutron bomb on an ant.

Septra is a the way the docs go. Cipro if they are allergic.

[ghporter]

Using the LEAST POTENT antibiotic that will do the job is a growing trend. That's because using the BIG ONE on a simple UTI will eventually develop bugs that are resistant to the BIG ONE (whatever that antibiotic is at the moment). A couple of weeks is a round figure-I know people who figure 9 days is "almost two weeks" because it's more than one week... Sure, Levaquin will do the job, but do we want Levaquin-resistant e. coli? I sure don't!

[Rumor]

Phenazopyridine Hydrocloride. That's the stuff that makes your urine bright orange.

It didn't start hurting until last night. I've been drinking unsweetened cranberry juice that is not from concentrate and tons of water. If I'm still having a problem on Monday, I'll go see a doctor.

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by bstone

None of the docs I work with have ever considered using Levaquin to treat a simple UTI. It's like dropping a neutron bomb on an ant.

Septra is a the way the docs go. Cipro if they are allergic.

Originally Posted by ghporter

Using the LEAST POTENT antibiotic that will do the job is a growing trend. That's because using the BIG ONE on a simple UTI will eventually develop bugs that are resistant to the BIG ONE (whatever that antibiotic is at the moment). A couple of weeks is a round figure-I know people who figure 9 days is "almost two weeks" because it's more than one week... Sure, Levaquin will do the job, but do we want Levaquin-resistant e. coli? I sure don't!

Excellent points and I totally agree. And you are both right that Bactrim should still be the first line vs. UTIs - it is my first line of treatment (cheap, usually tolerated well... although we are seeing a lot more resistance to Bactrim from some of our urine cultures)

I brought up a 3 day course of Levaquin because the original poster is hesitant to see a doctor, and has had a bad experience with a (presumed) standard course of antibiotics. I thought he might be more likely to see a doctor if he knew that there was a shorter course of treatment, that would be less likely to result in side effects.

But to re-emphasize what many others have said, go get it checked out now. If left untreated, UTIs can develop into sepsis or pyelonephritis. See a doctor soon.

[ghporter]

Compliant patients have fewer bad experiences than noncompliant patients. I listen to the dispensing information the physician provides, ask questions, point out what other meds I'm already taking (including dietary supplements-and birth controll pills if I were female) and follow instructions as closely as possible. Some upset stomach is not too uncommon with many antibiotics, but plain yogurt helps both ends-and the latter end particularly.

I've had a few UTIs (note my advice above) and they have never been a problem to treat using the standard course (typically 10 to 14 days of amoxicillin or something like it). I couldn't remember the additional medication that made it MUCH easier to urinate...thanks for the update Rumor. Sure helps, doesn't it!?

[Rumor]

A bottle and a half of real cranberry juice along with about 2 gallons of water = no more UTI. I think I went to the bathroom about 1000 times yesterday though. I swear it was every two minutes.

Thanks for all the advice. If it wasn't better by Monday, I was going to see the doctor. I try to not go to the clinic if at all possible. I'm still drinking water and juice just to make sure though.

[moodymonster]

might be in your interests to go to the docs and give them a piss sample to test - that way you know the bacteria is gone.

[bstone]

It's still a very, very good idea to get a full physical every year.