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View Full Version : What causes UTI's???


jen74
10-04-2007, 07:09 AM
Hi Ladies.
The first time I ever got a UTI in my life was about 5 years ago, and that was after I used a foam method of Birth control, not sure if it was from that or not. I did not have IC at the time at all. I just got IC last year in May of 06. I have had a few infections since getting that one 5 years ago, and more so since getting IC.
I bought a book on how to conquer cystitis. It mainly says that you have to wash yourself very well, meaning your anal area and perinium every single time you have a BM. It says that any miniscule amount of fecal matter that is left lingering around the anal area wil move up into the vagina and urethra causing a UTI.
I have been very diligent about keeping myself clean so as not to get a UTI. I have become allergic to most all antibitoics, so I dont really want to get a infection,not to mention the severe pain a person with IC gets when they have an infection. The last one I had left me in a flare for a long time, that was in March or APril. I have since become allergic to most all anti-B's that treat UTI's.
I was wondering if other things make us suseptible to getting UTI's ? I have even began to wash my hands before I use the washroom each time as well to prevent the spread of bacteria. I also line the toliet with paper before I sit. Do you think I am going over board? I wash my clothes in ALL detergent since I cannot tolerate the others, ALL is fragrence free and dye free. I also use non-chlorine bleach on my whites, which is also safe for colors as well.
I am also thinking that having IC sets us up for getting more UTI's since our bladders are not healthy to begin with. Does anyone else know what else to do to prevent UTI's besdies taking prevenative anti-B's which I cannot do and have heard it is not good to do anyhow. I just dont want to get obsessed over this, or become a germ a phobe :), if I already havn't that is. Thanks for listening.

Jen

yvette
10-04-2007, 07:21 AM
Hi Jen! I had to do the same thing...I use flushable wipes all the time and I've found that it really has helped to be extra, extra diligent about being clean. After BMs; before and after sex; etc. I averaged 1-2 infections a month back in 2000. It kinda sucks, but it helped in the long run and now this routine is just very normal to me.

At any rate I think we ICers are more sensititive to infections because of the IC. Say a normal person has X-amount of colonies they feel nothing and life goes on normally for them....for us we could have the same amount of bacteria colonies and YOW! We're climbing the walls in absolute agony. Just my theory tho :)

jen74
10-04-2007, 07:39 AM
Hi Yvette,
I am glad to see I am not the only one. My hubby and I have not had sex in over a year! I am afriad because I do not want to get a infection, and also because of the pain.. I miss being intimate with my hubby and he misses it also, but we are just so afriad. I mean the last UTI I got, I was not even having sex at the time, and was being very clean. I dont have a clue how I got it. It is very frustrating to say the least. Thanks for the reply.
Jen

GriffsMommy
10-04-2007, 01:39 PM
I have seen that many ICers are more prone to infection but wanted to say that's not always the case. I have only had 1 maybe at the most 2 documented infections in my whole life. I've been diagnoised with IC since Nov 2006 if you go by the PST my gyn did and then the uro confirmed it with the hydro in April 2007. I have never had an infection in all that time and have had many cultures. I actually stopped calling to ask for one if I'm flaring because unless it's horrible for days and days I know it's not an infection because I never get them.