I've had a bladder infection for five days. I've been controlling the symptoms by drinking like a mad man and taking cranberry pills. Drinking so much has kept me feeling practically normal, but there are those nights when life gets crazy and I don't drink as much as I should and wake up in the middle of the night with those awful symptoms and can't get any more sleep. My questions is: can I cure this at home or do I have to go to the doc and get antibiotics? I've had a handful bladder infections in the past and I really don't want to have to take antibiotics every time I get one. Women must have done something to cure these before there were antibiotics! What did they do? Is antibiotics my only way out or will I have to drink constantly for the rest of my life?
Thanks!
I'm back from the doctor and on antibiotics. Here's to a good nights sleep!:) Thanks everyone who responded. You convinced me that the doctor was the place to go and now I'm starting to feel better.
Hi L.,
I have a history of UTI's, kidney infections and stones so I know how you feel. I would highly recommend going to the Dr. Bladder infections left untreated can lead to kidney infections which are horrible. I let one go once and ended up in the hospital sicker than I have ever been. I know cranberry is supposed to help, however I have always heard that is more of a preventative measure. Good Luck and feel better soon!
It IS an infection - so yes, you do need to go to the doctor. As for prevention...cranberry juice is supposed to be very helpful and so is grapefruit. Don't know why, tho.
Now to prevent them. take a shower after sex. Drink a glass of cranberry juice every day. Also, eat yogurt to keep your yeast in balance from the antibiotics. Make sure you drink plenty of water. I have reoccuring ones and found these measures help.
C. B
Bladder infections should never be fully treated at home. You need to see your Dr and probably have to get on anti biotics. While we don't want to get on them for minor infections that can heal themselves. Bladder infections left untreated can be very serious.
Cranberry juice does not cure bladder infections, it can help prevent them! Natrual isn't always the way to go if it is lingering more then a couple of days.
Eating yogurt daily, sitting in warm baths without soap, drinking cranberry juice the second you think you may be getting one can sometimes help, however if the infection worsens not gets better you need medical intervention.
Remember, people died of very simple illness before anti biotics as infections in the body can spread all over. So going to the Dr isn't a bad thing. Maybe talking in depth on why you continue to have reoccuring infections is something to address instead of just accepting you get them easily! Find out why!
I triedc to control mine as well before, by drinking a ton of water. Well apparently that doesn't control the infection and it got into my kidneys and was so out of control painful I ended up in the hospital. So much for trying to cure myself. Just see a doctor as soon as you can - it's not worth it! Good luck! The symptoms are awful.
