UTI---I Have One

ETA - thanks Riley, for the tip on antibiotics and yogurt!

Original:
Why are you questioning your doctor by asking a bunch of moms? Your doctor has a degree in this. We don't.

I'm shaking my head on this question, as so many today have been real eye-rollers. But I'll add that you should start eating yogurt so that you won't get a yeast infection. You should drink plenty of water and non-sugar cranberry juice. You should avoid eating sugar as much as possible as well.

Take all of your medicine. Take it on time and if you are still having ANY symptoms, get back to the doctor and have it checked out. UTI's can move into your blood stream and turn septic and you could be in huge trouble. I had a friend who spent six weeks in the hospital because of that, and another who passed out and injured her foot in the process. It has been 4 years and she is in pain every day because she injured a nerve in that foot. UTI's are NOTHING to play around with.

Dawn

REMEMBER... Cipro WILL NEGATE HORMONE BIRTH CONTROL.

Use a backup method. Not only for the time you're on the antibiotic, but for an entire cycle of birth control pills following it. A solid month.

DO NOT TAKE Cipro with DAIRY, calcium supplements, or calcium rich foods.

People often recommend yogurt / etc. with antibiotics... But many antibiotics bond to the calcium molecules and the calcium renders the antibiotic useless. Cipro is one of the antibiotics that CANNOT be taken with dairy/etc.

Cipro is an awesome antibiotic for UTIs. Its the top choice for them, as its extremely effective in nearly all cases. Its a short run antibiotic (less than 20-30 days), so there are a lot fewer resistant strains.

Awesome stuff. Just don't get pregnant, and avoid dairy.

You could exercise but you would impede your recovery. Your immune system needs you to rest. Drink lots of water.

I am sure you are fine to exercise, but I would take it easy. Your body needs a little more rest right now. If you are really concerned, call your doc.

I agree with the yogurt idea, but I know for me, sugary yogurt from the store wasn't cutting it! It may not for most women. I highly recommend Florajen. It works - been on it for many months!

http://www.amazon.com/Florajen-60-Capsules/dp/B00138YG4O/...

why would you question the doctor's Rx? Yes, Cipro can be used for UTIs...as are many other meds.

My rule of thumb: pump the water & cranberry juice. Eats lots of yogurt. Avoid sugary foods + heavy carbs. & allow your body to heal.

Yes, there is no reason to not exercise. You should feel much better after literally one or two doses but do make sure that you finish the entire prescription so that you don't end up with a rebound infection that comes raging back later. I used to get UTIs all the time and your prescription is very common. Another common prescription is Bactrim but if you had yours for more than a day or two, it makes sense to go straight to Cipro.

Two other things you can try that don't involve pharma include drinking a small amount (4-6 oz) at a time of 100% cranberry juice. It is very tart, but the cranberries have properties that will help clear up the infection. You can find 100% cranberry juice at Whole Foods, maybe Trader Joe's, food co-ops. And make sure it is 100% real cranberry juice, not a mix, not a blended drink.

Another tip that helps kidneys is to take real lemon juice--either squeezed directly from a lemon or bought in a bottle--and put a little in some hot water and drink it like a tea. Lemon also helps cleans out the kidneys.

Since you are currently taking an antibiotic, make sure you use backup protection (if you are on birth control) as well as taking a very good quality probiotic to help replace all of the good intestinal flora that the antibiotic will destroy. I like Florajen3; you can buy it in the pharmacy section of Target (you have to ask for it, because it's kept in a refrigerator) or from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, food co-ops, etc.

FINALLY, make sure you drink lots and lots and lots of water to flush out the kidneys. 10 8-oz glasses a day, whether you're thirsty or not. Make it a habit to always drink that much water, whether you have a UTI or not. Most people--women especially--are dehydrated most of the time. If you don't drink enough water to help keep the kidneys flushed out and cleansed, you'll end up with an infection again. It's a proven fact that once you get an infection, you're more apt to getting another one.

Yes it is a pretty normal Rx for this and yes 7-10 days is normal too. Be sure you take every pill. I've not ever heard of a medication you can't exercise on, at least an antibiotic anyway, so I think you're totally safe there. You should be able to go about your normal life, but if you take the birth control pill you should use a back-up method until you are done with the meds.

What are you asking about?

Yes, that is what I used, and it really worked! I have had 2 in the last 3 years, and it was what they gave me both times. Also, did they give you the one that makes it not hurt so bad? This one is a godsend!