Non stop infections

Doctor,

  I have been having trouble with U.T.I.s for as long as I can remember. I finally went to a Urologist. He did a scope and showed me white patches in my bladder. He said I have cronic (chronic) bladder infection and gave me a standing script. for Macrobid. I have been on and off antibiotics as long as I can remember too. My family doctor,in my last visit,said that the yellow discharge that I thought was from yeast infection,wasn't,he said it is coming from my urethra. the urologist never said anything about the discharge. He said I am fine and just take the med. Well my problem is that when I take one antibiont for bladder I end up with an ear infection or yeast infection. When I take an antibiotic for that I get back my U.T.I. I have been fighting all kinds of infections non stop since Sept.,of last year. Isn't there something to just take care of all of it. I'm tired of always having a discharge,and allkinds of other infections. Can you help me.
                                     Shelli from Il.

[Forum-M.D.-DT]

Thank you for visiting the family practice forum.

First of all, you need to have an actual "culture" of the urine to determine exactly what bacteria is present. Once you know what bacteria is present you need to take the antibiotic until the urine test shows no evidence of infection and you have no symptoms. People who take antibiotics become prone to other infections, particularly fungal infections, this includes yeast infections which I suspect you have had at one time or another during the multiple courses of antibiotics you have had.

Typically when I have a patient who has "other" infections which come up following taking an antibiotic, I simply prescribe "Diflucan" along with the antibiotic to help treat any fungal infection (inclucing yeast infection) which may arise.

I am also not a big fan of "Macrobid" (macrodantin) for prophylaxis (prevention) of UTIs. I have had much better success treating recurrent urinary tract infections with a medication called "Bactrim". In patients who have chronic recurrent UTIs, I will prescribe this one pill, monday, wednesday and friday ... every week and have had very good results with this regimen.

It appears as though you are from Illinois. My office is in Walworth Wisconsin (just over the border) Feel free to drop by for a consultation if this is not too far from where you live in Illinois or visit my site at www.netlivemd.com  I am sure we can get this problem resolved once and for all.

[CAM]

I have also been dealing with this same vicious cycle for over a year now.  My U.T.I's are normally triggered by intercouse, so I then take a one or two day regimen of Bactrim and within a few days I once again have a yeast infection.  I know how discouraging this can be.  Maybe with your posting we both can get some much needed answers.  My OB/GYN does not seem to be able to provide me with any ready answers.

[sjo32]

Thank you for your advice I will speak to my doctor. If he offers no assistance I will cross the border. I am very tired of him blaming everything on stress. Not being able to get my body under control is where my stress stems from. thanks again and hopefully this will help.
                                    Shelli in IL.

[leila]

I read somewhere ages ago that if you go to urinate as soon as possible after intercourse, you are less likely to get a UTI infection.  (This was after I'd suffered two of these unpleasant infections myself.)  I tried this out and it does seem to work.  The idea is that urinating soon after intercourse flushes out any germs that may be lurking in the urethra and on their way up to cause trouble! Thought it was worth passing this little tip on.
J

[nomoreutis]

A related discussion, No more uti's! was started.