Seeking Relief from a Painfull UTI

I know that Walgreens sells medication for UTI's over the counter, my neice used it and it worked pretty well.

The cranberry juice worked for me but it has to 100% cranberry which is very tart. I pretty much pinched my nose to chug it down.
ALSO:
After a couple bouts of what I thought was a UTI I realized I needed to avoid drinking ice tea (sigh) and soda. I would take a look at what beverages you are in the habit of drinking and stick to water.

Unfortunately I get these very often...so I sought the help of a urologist...His advice: if you've been on antibiotics for 48 hours and the pain isn't subsiding, call your doctor, as the antibiotic you're on may not be the right one to get rid of this particular UTI...after you change antibiotics, you can take an over the counter product, found at any drug store (even Target and Wal-Mart) that is near the pregnancy tests for UTIs - you can use the store brand or the name brand, both work, but it helps with the burning and it turns your urine orange...so wear something to protect your clothing (as it stains)...and actually, there is a debate now whether cranberry actually helps, but according to my urologist, if you're going to drink the juice, make sure it is 100% juice, or you can take cranberry supplements (OTC)...and yes, make sure you're drinking LOTS of water to flush out the infection...hope this helps.

I like the cranberry pills better too because it is hard to find 100% cranberry juice. Like the other girls said, call your doc back and make sure they don't want to switch your antibiotics. The over the counter Uristat usually works well for the pain, but like the other poster said, it will turn your urine orange. And if that doesn't work your doc should be able to prescribe you a stronger version of that drug. I have sufferd UTI's before too and I am so sorry, best of luck

get it rechecked by your doctor if you don't feel better in another day or so. If you did originally have a urine test and culture that indicated a uti then it is probably what it is. I was treated with anitbiotics just this past week with what we thought was a uti but first set of antibiotics were diagnosed over the phone before a urine culture. I wasn't feeling better so went in to see the doc, urine culture came back clean ... felt good for a few days on another antibiotic. doc said if I didn't feel good again I should have a ct scan and/or pelvic ultrasound. Well, then pain, etc. resumed - really bad. Was in the ER early yesterday morning - diagnosis kidney stone. I guess that is all to say just monitor yourself and if you don't feel better call your doc. Hope you feel better!

I always took cranberry pills. you can get them at any vitamin shop like gnc. I'm not sure about jewel or dominicks.

Hi L.! Wow, thats never a good thing after antibiotics. I would call my ob/gyn back and ask for more help. after 3 days pain should be subsiding, but i guess everyone is different. If you are tired of drinking cranberry, they have gel tabs that a supplements at walmart or most likely any store. that is what i prefer to take towards the end. but if you are still in pain, get ahold of your doctor. they can help. Good Luck!! We have all been there!

D.

Are you sure you're drinking real cranberry? Make sure it's 100% cranberry juice and try to avoid a lot of added sugars as they do not help. Even better try the cranberry supplement capsules. There's an OTC product called "AZO" that is very helpful with the symptoms of UTI. Be sure to drink tons of water to keep the bladder flushed out.

Your infection could have spread to from your bladder to your kidney. You might need stronger antibiotics. It is also possible that you have kidney stones that could be causing a blockage resulting in a chronic UTI. Call your doc and tell them that you are still experiencing pain. They may just give you more meds, or they may want you to get a scan and see what is going on.
Cranberry juice and over the counter remedies are a great preventative measure, but they will not cure a UTI. Once the infection is there, the only way to get rid of it is antibiotics.

Hi L..

After rechecking with your DR., like everyone said, then the cranberry pills might be more tolerable. I have used those from an online company, Melaluca. I dont' sell that, but I have incorporated these into my routine somehwhat. I have battled with the UTI and one became a kidney infection very quickly. If you have pain in your back and a high fever see your doctor right away. They had me in the ER on intravenouse antibiotics. Not trying to scare you, but that one time it progressed very quickly and my doctors did not think that it could be the kidneys and it was. Just look out for your own health. I also used a herbal detox tea and drank several cups each day. It really realived the symptoms while I waited for the antibiotics to kick in. If you would like a sample I will send you one. Yes, it is from a company I have a business with, but I am not doing a big sell, just thought you could try it since it brought me a lot of relief.

Good luck.

L., When I had them the pain subsided after three days. I wonder if you are on the correct antibiotic? You should call the dr. I think if you have more than 2 or 3 you should have a workup with an IVP because it may be something anatomical if you know you are wiping yourself correctly and practicing sex that doesn't introduce bacteria from other areas of your body. A.

Dear L.,
My heart goes out to you with that UTI. My older son's girl friend drove home with him from where he was based in Virginia Beach in the Navy when he got out. She was in pain for hours and when they finally did arrive home, she had a 104 fever. Only God kept them safe. I have another friend who also has had a history of these terrible things. Both of these ladies are under 30, not that it matters. One friend was taking supplements that I used to sell from a company called Reliv International. You can check them out at
reliv.com
I continue to take the supplements but no longer sell. Somehow, by providing the body with optimum nutrition, things seem to balance out. My friend Keri was free of UTI's for several years and may not have them at all any more although she no longer takes the products. I will tell you that this is a multi level marketing company and if you can get past the hipe, I think you will find the products to be excellent. There are no medical cures, but I can tell you that overall wellness is a good thing, and I have heard a lot of stories about people who have been helped by taking these products (powder) and no longer have UTI's. If you would like more info, please contact me and I can put you in contact with someone who can give you much more information. Hope you'll be feeling better soon.
S.

Have you used the purple pills that make your pee orange-those are a HUGE help!!!! I can't remember the name but if you ask the pharmacist they will help you. Try it, it takes the pain away. Doesn't cure the infection but you have antibiotics for that.

Good Luck, I feel for you......

I got an email this morning stating that 2 tbls of cinnimon mixed with 1 tbls of honey and mixed into a glass of warm water to drink will cure it. Don't know if it really works, but it can't hurt.

I hope your dr took at culture to make sure your on the right antibiotic. I would ask- as a nurse we have pts put on an antibiotic but once we get the culture sometimes the medication has to be changed. TO help with symptoms there are over the counter meds to help with the pain- It doesnt cure the infection but at least it helps the symptoms- just ask your pharmacist and be aware it turns your urine orange. ALso- there are cranberry pills! Good luck- I have had my fair share of these and its awful!

Erica W.'s response is right on. I second everything she had to say, and would add... after you call your doctor, and before you use the OTC treatment, make another sample and keep it in the fridge. Sometimes the OTC relief products change the color of the urine which may make your doctor's tools for asessing the problem more difficult. Also, there are two kinds of UTI's - bladder infections and kidney infections. Kidney infections may take more than 3 days to turn around, and you tend to be sicker with them. However, if you have a bladder infection and it is treated with meds that the germ is resistant to, it can progress further and turn into a kidney infection.... so others have said, call your doctor.

AZO is for pain relief over the counter. It spots the urge to go all the time and pain from UTI. The are very small red/rust pills. It makes your urine bright orange and it will stain so wear a pad in your undies. It can be found at Walgreens, Walmart and I am sure most places you can get a perscription. If you can't find it on the shelf, ask for help because it works RIGHT away. Good luck

I didn't read the other posts so I'm sorry if this is repetitive...I used an over the counter pill called AZO...it makes the burning of the UTI go away. You MUST use it with the antibiotics, though, otherwise you just treat the symptoms and could risk a kidney infection. I wish I had known about AZO years ago...it works so well and could have saved me many painful days/weeks! Feel better soon!

Have you tried the OTC pills that turn your urine orange?? I can't think of the name but it's supposed to numb the urinary tract or bladder or both to give you a lil relief till the antibiotics kick in. I used to take them cux i couldn't stand that pain and always feeling like I had to go. There are a few different kinds i think - they are lil red pills or deep orange pills - azo or something like that. Usually takes a dose or two to work but turns your pee orange almost instantly. Try them - they will at least help a lil.

Unfortunately, antibiotics don't treat UTI's make them worse and you often end up with yeast infections afterwards...I had one two weeks ago, I treated mine by drinking 8oz of filtered water with 1/4 tsp of baking soda first thing in the morning, I then mixed 6oz of real cranberry juice from concentrate with 22oz of water and drank up to 64oz of it all day long in addition to filtered water. Avoid citrus fruits or anything acidic that will make it burn more when you urinate. You can also add the cranberry pills in addition to the cranberry juice, drinking the juice is still very good for you. The juice has to be from concentrate, Trader Joe's has a good brand, Knudson's is also another brand, I would buy two bottles at least, a bit pricey, but worth it. I also upped my probiotics and now that you are on antibiotics, you want to supplement with a good probiotics, if you have access to a health food store or Whole Foods, then get Florajen 3 or Florastor, take on an empty stomach before bed. The probiotics will help boost your immunity and good bacteria in your system and also prevent any yeast infections. Avoid dairy until it is clear too. It make take up to a week, but it worked well for me. I caught it though in the beginning. Don't hold the urine, you have to go when you feel the urge, even if it is very little, need to flush out the bacteria. You can also buy teas that help promote healthy bladders.

Good Luck,
J. W. MPH
Wellness Educator/Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

You may have an antibiotic-resistant strain. Call your doctor. They can do a culture and find out which exact bacteria is causing it, and they can switch the antiobiotic you're on. 3 days is too long.

You may also have a yeast infection - I've found when I get one after a UTI it can be painful rather than itchy as you might expect.

Good luck! I went through this a few months ago and it sucked. The culture did find out that it wasn't a resistant strain (which is good) and then my dr. found out that I actually had a stubborn yeast infection that needed prescription medication. Uristat and ibuprofen or tylenol really helped while they were figuring all this out, though.

I second Uristat. I use to have UTI's all the time and I would always take Uristat, in addition to antibiotics, to relieve the pain. Turns your pee orange but works like a charm.

URISTAT - you can get it over the counter at any drug store. That helps with the burning and uncomfortable pain. My doctor always put me on Bactrim, and it started to work within a day.

they also have over the counter meds, but sometimes it only stop the pain not the syptom...I hate when I'm hit with this infection...the juice does help, but at times you need more...good luck to you and God bless! Jo

MAke sure you stay away from any refined sugary foods or drinks. Also make sure you are drinking 100% cranberry NOT FROM CONCENTRATE juice. I found this at Trader Joes. When you drink Cranberry Juice from concentrate or not 100% cranberry you are getting mostly water. From concentrate means it was once a powder.

There is my 2 cents.

Hope you feel better very soon.
S.

I'm surprised the doc didn't give you anything for the pain! There is over the counter stuff called Uristat. It'll turn everything orange but it helps w/ the pain. I'd also say stop w/ the cranberry juice and start drinking tons of water. The sugar could be irratated you more. If your done w/ the antibiotics I would call your doc and tell him the UTI is not gone. 3 days seems pretty short to be on antibiotics. If you don't want over the counter, the doc could also precribe you the same pain reliever.