... be hereditary? Wondering for the sake of my daughters. My second question is about medication for UTI's. I get them often, and as I'm sure many of you know, they are quite easy to self diagnose. So, my Dr gave me a prescription for Macrobid to keep on hand to take 1 after intercourse or to take 2 for 5 days if I don't catch it in time and get a full blown UTI. I ran out of that prescription and had to switch Dr's. The new Dr also gave me a prescription to take the same way but instead of Macrobid she gave me Bactrim ds. I took it about 4 times with no issues but the 5th time I started itching like crazy and my eyelids swelled up. My friend that is a nurse told me to take Benadryl. I took the Benadryl and soon after the swelling and intense itching subsided. I can only assume I had an allergic reaction to the Bactrim. Can you develop an allergic reaction to a medication you have taken before with no problems? It helped with the oncoming feelings and signs of a UTI but because of the effect I had, I definitely don't want to take the Bactrim again so I called my Dr to see about getting a prescription for Macrobid again. I am now with a different Dr (again) due to the last one leaving the practice. This new Dr said she didn't like to give out antibiotics just to "have on hand" and would like me to come in and be seen whenever I have a UTI. I'm a little frustrated with this as I get UTI's so often and it really helps to just take 1 after intercourse. Plus, because they are SO painful I'd rather not wait until I got one and had to be seen. Especially since it is very difficult to get into my Dr for a same day appt. Lastly, the cost of going in every time would be ridiculous. Does anyone have any suggestions for my situation? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Urinary Tract Infection - I get UTI's quite often as does my mom so my first question is if they can
Question posted by tara5survivor on 5 Dec 2013
Last updated on 24 June 2023 by momto1son
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6 Answers
I had them frequently too. Urologist wanted to put my on prophylaxis (low dose antibiotic) to avoid getting them. I asked him what my other options were and he said only other option was to drink a gallon of water a day. Since then, I started drinking about 60 ounces in the am and another 40 throughout the day. Haven't had one since and its been about five years. It helps to flush bacteria out especially if you aren't draining your bladder all the way.
In 2017 I got a UTI and was put on antibiotics for 10 days. After that I had surgery in my mouth and was put on antibiotics again. Two days after completing the antibiotics I got another UTI so more antibiotics. This went on for two months until I was finally given an antibiotic that worked. I believe the antibiotics were actually causing my problems. Because of all the medicine my scalp dried up and I, to this day, have a dry, itchy bumpy scalp and nothing seems to have any affect on it. I also broke out on my neck and chest with itchy bumps. I was given a shampoo that was supposed to help but when I read the side effects it stated that the shampoo could cause itchy bumps in the scalp. So no point in using that. 2018 was virtually UTI free. In February, 2019 I got cellulitis in my right leg after a pedicure I was put on antibiotics, two days later I got a UTI so more antibiotics. I had a biopsy done on a small lesion on my right leg which is a skin cancer.
I would ask to have the specimen cultured to find out what bacteria you might have and which antibiotics are resistant to the bacteria you have.
Yes, it can be an anatomical problem. What you are getting is "honeymoon cystitis" which is irritation of the urethra after intercourse but this can lead to UTI. I have had UTI's all my life and so has my mother, just like you, but I agree with your Dr. Antibiotics need to be either taken daily (and this should be a very last resort) or a whole course should be taken, not just one after intercourse or keeping them on hand and yes, you had an allergic reaction to Bactrim so dont take it again and yes, allergies can come on to substances you have taken before. What I have found that helps is for me and my husband to both shower before intercourse to reduce bacterial load on our skin, I drink water prior to intercourse and I always always always void (pee) after intercourse. This helps to remove debris that was forced into the urethra by friction during sex. If I dont void right after sex and go to sleep, I will have an infection by the next morning.
Do you only get the uti's after intercourse? If do I was thinking maybe something is agervating the ureathera (sp), such a lubricant or even sweat. It happened to me a few times so I just try as much as I can to go to the bathroom and pee and clean up extra good. Then I found out I was having issues with the toilet paper. Some of them made it feel like I was using insulation to wipe and dab.. Good luck just be your own advocate for you and your health.
Also there are cranberry and blueberry pills you can take on a daily basis to help. And a numbing agent called uristat that is over the counter. Just a warning if you do use it it does make your urine orange and stains clothing.
I don't think UTI's are hereditary unless it is because of an anatomical anomaly. Anyway, you may ask about using Macrobid prophylactically. It means taking daily to ward off any infection. My mother does this and it quite well for her. The drawback is the potential for the bacteria causing the infection to become resistant to the antibiotic. Really depends on the frequency of UTI's.
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bactrim ds, macrobid, urinary tract infection, infections, medication, urinary tract, diagnosis
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