Since early summer I've had urinary tract infections (the kind that only show up in those culture tests that take a week) and have been on machrobid. I'm now scheduled to have a cystoscopy on 8/27. Anyone else with these problems? I'm sure it's menopause related (sheesh...menopause is going to financially break me! I've been to more specialists in the past year thanks to menopause affecting different parts of my body) as I never had much problem in this area before. The symptoms are slight discomfort in the urethra area and I feel a need to urinate frequently but I don't have any pain or burning while doing so.  I asked the doctor about taking pills that contain whatever cranberry juice has in it to ward off infections (he said we'll discuss this after the procedure).  The infection doesn't seem to go away for long.  It flared up while I was in  Stockholm last month...had to visit a clinic there and tried another prescription that enabled me to enjoy the remainder of our vacation. (Clinic visit cost including urinalysis: $35.00. Prescription for antibiotic: $12.00). But the symptoms returned (which is why I'm having the cystoscopy). I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has gone through this and what she's done or taken to avoid future infections. (my doctor also mentioned that this can be from lack of estrogen...am seeing a new gyne in a few weeks who works with the natural estrogen and progesterone as I can't take any of the synthetics).

No, I've never had to have that procedure.  Sorry that your going through such discomfort.  I've had a couple UTI but the antibiotic took care of it.  I drink lots of water daily, and I do take on occasion a packet of those Emer gen C's containing cranberry powders.Hope things clear up for you.

GG

Hi Meem,Oh my gosh! Yes! I've been through every proceedure known to man -- or -er -woman.....  :wink: For me it started when I was younger -- so I can't blame menopause. Although, I've heard it can get worse at this time. I had the cytoscopy, along with other proceedures that I can't remember now.  When I was through with it all, I realized that none of the doctors would really help me -- I had to figure it out for myself.  I began a health regimine that includes acidophilus (every day) , lots of water, relaxation, a vegetarian diet  etc. etc.    I still occasionally suffer (if I get off track) but I've learned it's called interstatial cystitis and there really is no cure.  Cranberry can sometimes even irritate it more (i hear blueberries are less acidic and do the same thing. ) Also-- be careful about using Vit C  -- too acidic!)  If you get in the middle of a painful episode and you need immediate help, take 1 tsp. of baking soda in an 8 ounce glass of water.  Neutralizes the acid!This is all stuff I've learned over the years.  I'm not sure it'll be helpful to you -- only you  know what's best for you!  Good luck !  hope you feel better soon.

Just had my cystoscopic procedure at Georgetown Medical Center and there is nothing wrong (thank goodness) but I had a feeling there would be nothing wrong, that it's just another one of those "symptoms" of menopause that cost you so much money when you have to get it checked out. As I mentioned in a previous post, I've spent a lot of money and used up a lot of health insurance checking out so many different problems only to discover (again thank goodness) that it's menopause related. The doctor left so fast I didn't have time to ask about taking those cranberry extract capsules to help ward off bacterial infections but that's what I'm going to invest in...they can't hurt and if they help me prevent future bacterial infections that will be worth it. I'm on a prescription from my gynecologist for Vagifem which I insert twice a week to try to prevent the bad effects on my vagina of lack of HRT (I can't take synthetic estrogen so I take phytoestrogens). The Vagifem has helped ( I can tell whenever I have to be examined...it's not painful anymore). So that's it for now and at least I know that there's nothing seriously wrong with my urethra/bladder.

Meem,  so glad that's behind you now.  At least you can relax a little by eliminating the worry that there's something serious going on that would require medical attention.  I know what you mean about the Dr. disappearing after the proceedure.  mine did that too.  It's like they don't know what to tell you now.  After that, he told me I'd need Valium for the rest of my life just to keep things relaxed ! :shocked:  Thanks to him, I went through 2 months of withdrawal (on my own) from it.  I was left with no more answers than I started with.  I didn't have bacteria in my specimens -- just blood.  Anyway, I began to search on my own for the answers for me.  I still get an episode now and again but I refuse to have any more painful tests or proceedures again!  :angry:  I have found homeopathy (Hylands bladder irritation tabs) and life style changes and Acidophilus can keep me relatively symptom free.  I sure hope you find what works for you too.  at least come back to this thread if you need sympathy and support.  I couldn't be more sorry to hear you've been through this bladder H--l! Believe me, I know your pain!!!!! Hope you're doing okay.  Hugs, E.

Here I am, 2 years later with another endless urinary tract infection (since the end of June I've been on several different antibiotics). Have a new urologist who probably in frustration at not having the cure-all for me prescribed Valium (low dosage which I'll use only if I can't sleep due to the irritation). So maybe this cystitis is what I have? What is Hylands Bladder Irritation Tabs? I haven't been able to take strong antibiotics as they cause painful diarrhea. The dr also suggested drinking huge amounts of water to dilute urine & take uristet. I can't take hormones so I'm desperate to try something that will help me get rid of this awful irritation.

Has your doctor mentioned bladder spasms to you?  I have just been through the same thing - felt like an infection that would not clear up, and on constant antibiotics.  Finally went to a urologist that looked over all my lab cultures and said that there really was no sign of remaining infection, but that I was getting bladder spasms.  Certainly felt like an infection to me, but there was no pain on urination and basically a bladder that felt sore and irritated.  He said that this is quite common in women, that stress is the number one cause, and prescribed something for me to calm the bladder down.  It has certainly helped.  You might want to ask your doctor about that.  Also, take lots of vitamin C and drink lots of water.  This could just be that you started with an infection and ended up with the spasms.  Ask your doctor if the cultures came back showing a large infection or just a very small one.  The urologist even said that the last culture showed something, but that was most probably attributable to a vaginal infection from all the antibiotics than to an actual UTI.  It is important that a urologist looks at all of this, as my GP's (although trying hard) just did not have the right answers.  Good luck to you and let us know how you do. Dor

I used to get bladder infections when I was younger.  A doctor told me to always urinate after sex (or orgasm) to clean out the urinary tract.  A small amout of bacteria (E. Coli) can be drawn up after sex or orgasm and cause a bladder infection.  Following this simple procecudure  really worked for me.   Not sure if you are having infections or irritation.

I also wondered if your symptoms could be due to side effects of medications that you are taking.  You might want to check with a pharmacist.

Vitamin C is available in powder and buffered forms which are not acidic.   The powder form allows for buying the Vitamin C in bulk and making it cheaper.  Having a non-acidic form makes the Vitamin C less irritating to the stomach and allows one to take higher doses for longer periods without the concern of stomach irritation.  I would be suspicious of the healthfulness of taking a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, although I know people do that.

Thanks for responding and for your suggestions. This past week the irritation seems to have disappeared (the wonders of menopause!) but I'm still drinking lots of water and hoping that all that antibiotic treatment finally did the trick. Yes the urologist did mention bladder spasms (and I certainly do have stress thanks to a job in medical billing). Looking forward to a vacation in Maine next week so I can de-stress. Again, thanks so much for the responses and help. The women I know who are in menopause don't seem to have all these irritations so I'm relieved to have a place to go to for advice, information and kinds words.

I knew I could find some information on this site. Thank goodness. I'm on my 2nd urinary infection (or irritation, I'm not sure it's an actual infection as nothing shows up on my lab work) and have been miserable. With this bout, I have had spasms and thought I was losing my mind. I've never heard of the bladder having spasms. Anyway, I'm on antibiotics which give me a stomach ache. It's always something and my pocketbook is showing the strain. Thanks for "listening". Annette

I have been having problems with my bladder for the last 3 - 4 months. Had a tests done but now infection was found. I seem to experience fullness/pressure and pain to the left and right of my bladder. I also have to get up a couple of times during the night to go the bathroom and go frequently during the day. I am scheduled for a pelvic ultrasound next week. How did your pain manifest itself. Am I just having bladder spasms?

AngieSW, sorry to hear about your bladder problems. My first bladder problem came on suddenly within the last 5 months. I was having heavy bleeding and cramping, so I couldn't figure out what pain I was really having. After the dr. got the bleeding stopped, then I started feeling the bladder prob. I was treated with antibiotics and it cleared up. Then a few weeks later, I now hve another one. Back on antibiotics. The ultrasound I had in Aug, didn't show anything abnormal. I guess it's just menopause stuff we're going through. Hope all checks out ok for you too. Annette

I've got the same thing going on... it started at the same time I was switching HRT types, and I kind of wonder if it's related to that - or to one of the half dozen pelvic exams I had as they were trying to figure out what was the matter with me. Anyway, I got the mother of all bladder infections. However, it was only the pressure & urgency to pee, and a weird sensation in the vulva area - but not the burning I've had with other bladder infections. I went on Macrobid, which cleared things up for about a week, and then the symptoms came back. Then a vaginal discharge appeared. Great! So I'm now on Cipro and an antibiotic Metro cream for the discharge. The bladder symptoms briefly disappeared and now they're back, and I haven't even finished the Cipro yet. The tests show blood in the urine but not much in the way of bacteria, which may explain why the antibiotics don't do much. So maybe I need to find out more about this spastic bladder stuff. I still think this may be related to major hormonal disruptions I experienced as I was trying to find the right HRT (now I'm off everything though).

Have you completed menopause? Maybe it's actually dryness that is causing the problem? I have times when it feels for all the world like I have a bladder infection, and after using vaginal estrogen cream it clears up. My mother experiences the same thing. I was on antibiotics for 30 days (Macrobid - oh joy) and now have to take it after sex (but only one a day) or I will get a horrible bladder infection. I have something called a cystocele and until it is fixed I will apparently have this issue. My urologist recommended estrogen cream and said I will be on it the rest of my life after the surgery (which I'm debating on whether I want to have done or not). Just a thought..

Hi Meem and all you ladies! I feel for you, have had recurrent Bladder Infections forever, have been off and on Macrobid forever. No matter what the lab results show, or what it's called, it is NO FUN. A few things to try - cotton underwear ONLY. not cotton panel. Change em often - several times a day if you perspire a lot. No glycerine Lubricants. They Glycerine lubes can cause microfissures, which can lead to infections, and the glycerine acts like a sugar - giving the bacteria fuel. No soaps high in glycerine for the same reason, I just switched to J & J baby wash and it helped a lot. Rinse it off QUICKLY. By the way, Nonoxynol 9 is a soap, so if you use it in any form for Birth control, just a consideration - VERY irritating. Change your towels every shower. Blueberry helps a lot, and is less acidic than cranberry. Caffeine and nicotine do not help.....Neither does sugar, or Regular vitamin C - seems to bring them on for me. Ester C might be somethig you should read about. Sleep enough, pee after sex, then again before bedtime. No roughhousing or lengthy sessions in that department if you have a big trip, meeting, interview, plane ride the next day. (anything where you might be sitting for long time after). Rinse with cool not warm water. Pat dry, but thoroughly. Sounds like baby care? well it does help!! Best of luck, I know your stress all too well - it's the pits of all pits'. Worse than migraines, hot flashes and yeast infections combined in my opinion. Lastly, don't let your Urologist bully you into addictive meds because of his/her unwillingness to stick with it with you. Prodium is an over the counter - same type of drug as Pyridium - which can numb the symptoms if you need sleep or have a meeting. It does turn your urine red. And keep looking for a Dr. who will treat your complaints and you with the respect they deserve. -Mary Beth

In line with the whole idea that infection can start with irritation, switch to unscented soap, laundry detergent, and most importantly, dryer sheets! Helped me hugely......

Mary Beth- AMEN SISTER!!! Great advice!!

Thanks, Leanne - I learned from *you* XXOO P.P.S Ladies, I keep thinking of things that have helped me. One more for today. I call it my "Princess and the Pee" sydrome - the whole urinating frequently for no apparent reason all day due to invisible irritants like seams and softener sheet Perfumes, stuff that doens't seem to bother most women. Try wearing your underwear inside out. All those seams irritate. You would be AMAZED how much it helps!! And no one will know! I wear 'em right side out only if I have a Dr's appt. - the place where they probably wouldn't notice anyway..... Yeah, I, too am on Macrobid after sex. But since I changed all the these things, I stopped getting them 2X a month - haven't had one since changing all the stuff above in the last few months.......and I was using a unscented glyerine bar soap - I KNOW, yikes, a bar soap with all that bacteria and glycerine!?? -Mary Beth

Hi Meem,
have you tried going to a natural doctor? They can be real life savers, and the things they do for you don't hurt you but make you healthier. A few years ago my mom suffered from a yeast infection that continually got worse. She had it for over a year, and she saw numerous doctors, all of which prescribed her different medications that only aggravated her yeast infection more and more. After more than a year of dealing with conventional doctors she decided to give a homeopath a try. He spent a couple of hours with her, did a little lab work and it turns out that her body was aggravated by orange juice. She stop drinking it and "Whoala!" the yeast infection was gone in a few short days, never to come back again! They have also cured my son of what my doctors called non-allergic rhinitis and they did it through diet, no medications. He's cured too! I highly recommend you check it out, you have nothing to lose, but feeling better!
Best of luck to you!
Katherine