![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 8:56:09
and a bit scared I guess.
On one front things are way better. My son has got out of that Rental Agreement...got in touch with town by-law officer & it's an illegal apartment. He also has a part-time job now. So far so good. Has also done the intake with local addiction-services office. So that's all a relief.
But I had white blood cells in urine test. Am on antibiotics - have been for a week & 2 days now. Still having some symptoms of an 'awareness' - not exactly having to pee. (scuse all details!!)
Anyway, my mind is going BIGTIME fast forward...what if I have a tumour & it's pushing & causing awareness feeling....what if I have prolapse of uterus or bladder etc.Someone yesterday told me that for her & for her sister it took over 2 weeks for antibiotic to help.
So at least I'm doing something which I think is quite positive. I'm going to see my doctor (shortly, actually - gotta get ready). I am going to tell him how worried I am. I guess I'm pretty scared.
Anyone have any bladder infection experience?
hugs, Kath
Posted by Partlycloudy on November 7, 2008, at 10:29:09
In reply to Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone?, posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 8:56:09
Gentle hugs for you, Kath. Best (and disengaged!) wishes for your son. He'll do OK, even if you don't worry about it!
As for the bladder infection, yes I've had some experiences unfortunately. #1 - you can't drink enough liquids. Cranberry juice can help reduce the symptoms - I can't take the stuff straight up (pucker much?) but like it cut with seltzer water or maybe some 7Up. Tea is good, though watch you don't take in too much tannic acid (I think I'm remembering that correctly). But pretty much, any way you can increase your liquid intake will help flush the nasties from your system; and reduce their concentration so you feel better. Plus that full feeling of having to "go" will have something, er, behind it - you really will be able to Go.
#2, take the full course of antibiotics, even if you're feeling all better. Bladder infections can be tenacious and recur if you stop the treatment too soon.
#3, you might want to consider taking a probiotic treatment, available from any health food store (or just eat yogurt containing a live culture, most packages are clearly marked as such) every day while you're on the antibiotic, as the treatment doesn't discriminate in what it kills off - your tummy might get upset otherwise.
#4, get plenty of rest. Your entire body is trying to fight this infection, so you're probably run down. Take naps, loll about on the sofa, watch a lot of TV, beg your husband to make you another cuppa tea (refer to #1). This is a message your body is giving you to Slow Down for a while while you recover.
That's my experienced advice, anyway.
Posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 11:24:43
In reply to Re: Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone? » Kath, posted by Partlycloudy on November 7, 2008, at 10:29:09
:-)))))
Oh sounds lovely!!! Pampering time & with a good reason!
WILL DO
Doctor found no white blood cells in urine this morning, so I guess the antibiotic IS working. He's having me go for an ultrasound (abdominal) anyway, which is fine with me. Will put my mind at rest or it something needs to be dealt with, we'll know. Also I'm doing lots of Kegel exercises.
Thanks so much for your info & support. Am off to buy lots of juice, including concentrated cranberry juice without sugar & with certain herbs that are good for UI tract infections!
hugs to ya, luv, Kath
xoxo
Posted by TexasChic on November 7, 2008, at 18:04:35
In reply to Re: Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone? » Partlycloudy, posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 11:24:43
PC pretty much covered it all. You can get acidophilus and cranberry concentrate capsules from the health food store. The cranberry is supposed to help you get better sooner (something about causing your bladder to be slippery and the infection won't stick or something like that, but more scientific), and the acidophilus helps fend off yeast infections that antibiotics have a tendency to cause. I also always feel really run down on antibiotics, so that's another reason to get extra rest. Rest, drink lots and lots of water. I hope you feel better soon, bladder infections are the worst!
-T
Posted by raisinb on November 7, 2008, at 20:24:32
In reply to Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone?, posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 8:56:09
Hi Kath--
I get them all the time--specifically, every time I start having sex after not having it for awhile. I have had some success with making sure I go *immediately* afterward (very romantic :)).Last year, I even had to go get a test where a urologist puts a thin scope up the urinary tract. That--and the aftermath--was *unpleasant*. Luckily, there wasn't anything wrong, and I bet that's the case for you, too. Some of us are just prone to them, and I read somewhere that every infection makes subsequent infections more likely, as they may narrow your UT.
Posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 21:15:46
In reply to Re: Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone? » Kath, posted by Partlycloudy on November 7, 2008, at 10:29:09
> ... Best (and disengaged!) wishes for your son. He'll do OK, even if you don't worry about it!
~ ~ ~ LOL - probably 'especially if' would be better than 'even if' :-))
xo Kath
Posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 21:18:29
In reply to Re: Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone? » Kath, posted by TexasChic on November 7, 2008, at 18:04:35
Thx TC,
I have only had one decades ago, then one August, which initially showed up on a routine urine test & at that point I didn't even have any symptoms.
You know, I've wondered about taking acidophilus during the antibiotics.
I mean, I can eat yogurt anyhow & take them, but I wonder if the antibiotics just kill them?
Thx for your support. :-) Kath
Posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 21:27:48
In reply to Re: Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone? » Kath, posted by raisinb on November 7, 2008, at 20:24:32
Hi - I've heard about the peeing thing.
A few years ago I had that scope test procedure to check inside my bladder. He said (sorry for details) that my urethra was rather narrow & if necessary at some point could be stretched, which would involve a general anaesthetic. I have since read in my menopause "bible" - "Menopause, the Wise Woman Way" - by Susun Weed (an EXCELLENT book) - NOT to have that procedure done, as it can cause scarring & can even cause either incontinence or problems WITH peeing!!!
Anyway, all these gory details!
That test was scarey. There was the doctor & 2 nurses present, & I told them I was scared & could somebody hold my hand, so the nurse right beside me was so nice & held my hand the whole time!!! I am a firm believer in saying if I'm scared. Once I had to get intravenous before a routine colonoscopy & I told the nurse that I was really scared & could she hold my hand!! LOL
I am so glad that after seeing the doctor, I found out that there were no white blood cells present now - so that tells me that the antibiotics are doing SOMEthing positive! That made me feel much less scared.
In the meantime, it helps me to know that others have experienced this & also helps me know that my feeling sort of tired & less energy lately is quite 'par for the course'.
Thx for your support.
:-) Kath
Posted by Phillipa on November 8, 2008, at 12:46:31
In reply to Feeling more reassured :-) » raisinb, posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 21:27:48
Kath sorry haven't gotten to this board lately hope your're feeling well now late but present. Love Phillipa
Posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 14:54:59
In reply to Re: Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone? » TexasChic, posted by Kath on November 7, 2008, at 21:18:29
> You know, I've wondered about taking acidophilus during the antibiotics.
> I mean, I can eat yogurt anyhow & take them, but I wonder if the antibiotics just kill them?I think antibiotics do kill them off, but by taking them (or eating yogurt) you are replenishing your supply. I think that's how it works anyway.
I hope you're feeling better!
-T
Posted by Kath on November 8, 2008, at 15:08:47
In reply to Re: Feeling sorta down; bladder infections anyone? » Kath, posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 14:54:59
Thx TC - I'm feeling much better emotionally to know that there are no white blood cells in urine now.
I'm feeling somewhat better in 'awareness' symptoms also.
He HAD said to take them for 2 weeks & if they didn't work, go back & see him. Maybe they do take that long to really really work.
Anyway, I saw him & told him that I was taking care of myself to come early. He is so nice. I took my newest pottery - jewellry & wall pouches to show him....in a big plastic box. When I went in I said to the receptionist "Some people bring their babies!!" & she laughed & said, "Yes, or a book!!" Anyway, he liked it. He's seen samples over the last almost 10 years I've been doing it, so I wanted to show him where I've come to! He asked me how much time I spend etc....said he should start doing stained glass again. Etc.
He is SO nice.Hugs, Kath
PS - but I feel like I'm fighting something off again. This will be the 3rd time in a month.
I guess my resistance is down due to b. infection.
Posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 18:44:02
In reply to A little better even » TexasChic, posted by Kath on November 8, 2008, at 15:08:47
I've had a bladder infection before, but that was a long time ago. However, I used to get upper respiratory infections constantly when I smoked. When I had to take antibiotics for it, it would take weeks for me to get better. Not to discourage you, but just to let you know its pretty normal. For me, there's first the feeling bad from the infection, which usually lasts a couple of weeks before I go to the doctor (because you always think its a bug you're going to get over), and then the two weeks of feeling drained from being on the antibiotics, and then a couple more just to get back to normal. And sometimes a second round (2 weeks) of antibiotics is necessary. I hope that doesn't make you feel worse, I'm hoping it makes you feel better to know its normal to feel bad for a while so you won't think its anything worse than it is.
You should get lots of rest during the entire time, and you will probably feel pretty tired anyway. Give yourself time to get well, that's very important with an infection. Baby yourself, don't push yourself. I don't know if this is scientific, but it seems to me that when you tire yourself out, you lower your resistance and the infection can linger. So that's why rest is important.
-T
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.