What could be cause of multiple UTI's

[Indy]

I'm on infection number 7 in 17 months. I've had IC 11 years without many infections and had it under control and can't understand why this is happening. I have had a cat scan of the kidneys, MRI of the pelvis with contrast, blood tests,and there doesn't seem to be a reason for it. I was on macrobid as a prevention for 90 days and went off New Year's Day and here I am infected again!

Does anyone have any suggestions of testing that may have been overlooked?

Could it be hormonal. I have been in perimenopause and getting my period every 3 weeks during this time which has also caused migranes, night sweats and flares.

Help!

[ICNDonna]

Are your infections being confirmed by having cultures done?

There are some basic things that can help in avoiding infections:

1. Take showers instead of tub baths. When you sit in a tub of water, you are sitting there in "your own dirt" --- and the urethra is easily contaminated.
2. Avoid using soaps on your urethra. It's not necessary to touch the urethra to be clean.
3. Use only plain white, unscented, toilet tissue and blot, don't wipe --- and don't touch the urethra with the tissue.
4. Wear only cotton underpants --- and double rinse them to remove all soap when you wash then.
5. Drink plenty of water --- about eight cups a day.

Hope this helps.

Donna

[Dixiefireball]

Donna is right and I do these things but still get infection Monthly!! :yikes: for the reason we can't figure out i drank bo hoos of water ware only cotton panties i take mostly showers but this may sound wired but i was told if i wanted to have a bath to put on panties before getting in the tub that way it will stop some of the bateria getting up in there to cause an infection.
I wish you luck hon I know how you feel.
if you find out what is going wrong please let me know if its not none of the following Donna told you above. She is a very wise lady.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[vm]

I kept getting them until I took one antibiotic after each time I have intercourse. It has been almost a year with no infection since starting that.

[Indy]

Thanks for the replys. I think I may be wiping myself too much in an effort to be extra clean, I may be irritating the tissues.

Maybe the infection lies dormant in the walls of the bladder. I did take one after sex (not too often) this last month and still got the infection. I am afraid of baths even thought they feel so good because of sitting in my germs, but while I'm on an antibiotic, maybe it wouldn't matter.

I'm starting to be afraid something is wrong with my immune system but when it's been tested, it's always in overdrive and I have fibromylagia too.

Does anyone know how long is safe to stay on a low dose macrobid at night. I was on it for 90 days and it worked. No I feel like staying on it a year!

[Indy]

One more thing, does anyone recommend a soap. I have always used Ivory but maybe there is something more IC friendly.

[vm]

Ivory can be pretty irritating. Dove is gentle and I know some folks here have mentioned others. :)