# Fuck you, bladder infection. Get the fuck out. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 16, 2005, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784 "2005-03-16T08:26:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/21 "2005-03-17T05:40:10Z")
Oh poor baby ☹ Glad you’re feeling better 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/22 "2005-03-17T22:39:04Z")
I was going through a spell of chronic bladder infections a few years ago, and got a bit desperate. I did some research and found that cranberry juice (that is, straight cranberry juice NOT the “juice cocktail”) is recommended because it makes your urine slightly acidic and less hospitable to bacteria. I also read that drinking a certain amount of water within an hour – I think it was two quarts – fully replaces the fluid in your bladder, thus flushing out a lot of the bacteria. Armed with that information, the next time I felt that familiar pain and urgency to pee coming on, I got up out of bed and began drinking water. I didn’t have any cranberry juice, so I added a lot of lemon to the water. I drank water until I thought I would burst… easily three quarts within the hour. I also took several vitamin C tablets. Within four hours, I felt better and the infection never materialized. I like to think I cured it before it got bad. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/23 "2005-03-18T02:23:21Z")
Another thing–if you and your boyfriend are having sex more often, try to urinate before and after (flushes out any stray bacteria). Maybe even give your nether regions a quick sponge bath. I know its unerotic as hell, but it will help. Especially after sex–all of the activity can force bacteria into your urethra. I had a UTI on my first day of my first post-college job. Uristat really helps. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/24 "2005-03-18T19:09:53Z")
Sisters, I’m here again to sing the praises of D-Mannose (say hallelujah). D-Mannose is a form of sugar found naturally in fruits. While a form of sugar, it’s structure is such that it isn’t metabolized. But it does wonderful things for UTIs. As with the cranberry, science isn’t certain how it works, but some theorize that it binds with the bacteria and carries it out of your bladder when you pee. The studies I was able to find convinced me that it was promising enough to try, and I’m glad I have - haven’t had one since. It’s a powder, and to take it you stir it into water (or some other drink). You could probably take it straight, if you wanted. It’s got a slightly sweet taste. If you’re having problems with a UTI, you’ll want to take 2 or 3 teaspoons daily, then once it’s cured you can drop down to 1 daily for prevention. Google for it - it’s available online at various prices and associated with various brands (mine goes by the name UTI Edge). There’s even generic versions for cheap. As for help now, the Uristat is a good idea. Another thing I always try to do is ignore the pee urge as long as I could - after a while it seemed to go away, and I always felt that the more I could pee at one time did more to carry out the bacteria than the mere drops I’d get out if I went with every urge. It’s hard, though. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Vinsara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e99b99/32.png) [@Vinsara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vinsara)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/25 "2013-05-11T19:57:58Z")
Can so identify with this post! Thanku for posting it. It’s made me smile through my agony =\> ---
**Author:** ![naturalhealth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@naturalhealth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naturalhealth)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/26 "2015-04-17T12:49:31Z")
not everyone is the same but this worked for me…D-Mannose with probiotics together as one product taken orally…flora femme vaginal suppositories inserted as far as possible…and urethral self dilation using sounds easily obtainable online…but do that only 10cm in to open up folds in the meatus where bacteria hide…dr said that getting pregnant would solve it because the problem is the shape of the opening of the urethra…but thats a drastic solution…the dilation doesnt hurt one bit but do it gradually and not deep…had uti recurring since 5 years old…now 25…always triggered by sex…constant antibiotics helped but did not cure…now free of pain and symptoms for 8 months…oh and went gluten free,eliminating all irritants from diet…that made me slimmer and healthier… …try some or all of this…low cost compared to constant dr visits…no side effects good luck ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/27 "2015-04-17T14:36:54Z")
I’m so sorry about the UTI. I’ve had them a few times and they just suck. The last time I had a kidney infection along with it and just wanted to die for a little bit. About cranberry juice: you have to buy 100% cranberry juice, not plain old Ocean Spray (even their 100% juice stuff isn’t all cranberry juice). It’s very tart, but my doc has said that you can mix it with some diet 7-up or similar to make it more palatable. Then go back to drinking tons of water. Also, Azo tablets. They do help. However, wear pantyliners and realize that your pee and all of your girl-parts secretions will turn an entertaining shade of orange-red. Don’t be alarmed. Feel better soon. That “gotta pee!” feeling is the worst. > [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](#): > > One of the best antibiotics I’ve had for UTIs is called Monurol (Montelukast Sodium, I think). It’s a single dose, little packet of powder that you stir into a glass of water and drink. It then works on curing the infection over 3 days. It’s worked great for me every time. Maybe ask your doc about it. > > Hope you feel better soon. A quibble: montelukast sodium isn’t an antibiotic, it’s a leukotriene receptor antagonist. Used for treating asthma in the US. Monural is fosfomycin tromethamine, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/28 "2015-04-17T14:41:38Z")
> [@Geobabe](#): > > Gawd, do I feel your pain. I’ve had chronic UTIs for years. I started seeing a urologist a couple years ago, and discovered that my urethra is abnormally tight, which causes urine to be retained in the bladder, which makes a lovely breeding ground for bacteria. Dilation is…well, about as much fun as you’d imagine, but it provides relief for some months from the infections. > > But. I had my last dilation just two weeks ago, and had reeeeeeeeally been enjoying the whole sleeping all night without having to get up and pee thing. Then this past weekend, the husband and I enjoyed some very nice marital relations. The bladder infection, or maybe just irritation, returned, and for several nights I’ve had to get up many, many times to go to the bathroom. > > I’m freaking tired as hell, and unbelievably frustrated with this situation. I need to talk to the urologist about this, and see what can be done, because I’d really love to be able to have sex with my husband without being miserable for days afterward. GRR. Sometimes women are given antibiotics to use prophylacticly if they get UTIs whenever they have sex. Ask your doctor…either urologist or GYN. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/29 "2015-04-17T15:32:08Z")
Just so everyone’s aware, this is a 10-year-old thread bumped by someone with a list of home remedies. Post away, but be aware that the original complaint has no doubt cleared up by now. At least I sincerely hope so! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/30 "2015-04-18T17:33:54Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Just so everyone’s aware, this is a 10-year-old thread bumped by someone with a list of home remedies. Post away, but be aware that the original complaint has no doubt cleared up by now. At least I sincerely hope so! :eek: EEK! Yeah, I have GOT to get in the habit of looking at the OP date. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/31 "2015-04-18T19:44:52Z")
Not your fault when you aren’t the original zombie-maker, but I do sometimes wonder what possesses (pun intended) people to wake up these old threads. Yes, occasionally one does become relevant again, but why do some people apparently search through really old threads looking for things to revive? Is it fear of creating a new thread that might be redundant if the topic has ever, ever been covered before? In this particular case, I get a feeling the reviver was just looking for a soapbox for a bunch of home remedy nonsense. I shall be watching for other revived threads on medical topics. Meanwhile, I could actually top that bladder infection story, but I won’t. Memory is still to fresh and painful. But it involved driving from New York to Indiana with my 8-year-old in the backseat, with no other adults, at night, in inclement weather. Thank goodness Pyridium is now an OTC drug. ETA: guess what the reviver’s join date is? April 2015. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/32 "2015-04-18T22:14:34Z")
Having a bladder infection that lasts ten years would indeed suck. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784/33 "2015-04-20T02:13:06Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > why do some people apparently search through really old threads looking for things to revive? Is it fear of creating a new thread that might be redundant if the topic has ever, ever been covered before? Just guessing, but I assume that most cases of revived zombies by brand new posters are the result of having done a Google search in which the zombie thread pops up. Probably the new poster doesn’t even notice how old the thread is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-bladder-infection-get-the-fuck-out/294784.md?page=1)