I am a 31 y/o woman with epilepsy who is tired of going to the emergency room for recurrent UTI's, or waiting in pain make it through the weekend to see the doctor. The co-pays are killing me and it takes at least 24hrs, but usually longer to get in to see my GP or Urologist, which by then I am in a lot of pain (the last time I waited they had to give me hydrocodone for the pain), which only exacerbates my seizure disorder.
I average about 1 UTI every other month.
About 3 months ago I felt that my quality of life had diminished greatly to the point where I had almost given up on having sex altogether, was religiously drinking a glass of cranberry juice, one glass of OJ and popping mega vitamin C pills daily. I gave up baths years ago and quit swimming. I also made sure to wipe front to back. I maintained a very clean genital and was even told by one ER doc that I probably had chlamidia - despite having been previously tested, as had my fiancee. We were both negative. The test from the ER came back negative.
I am allergic to pennicillin, and feel like I have been on just about everything else. I was once even given a double Z-Pack when I went back to the ER 2 weeks after a previous UTI.
The majority of my UTI's are a result of e-coli bacteria. I almost feel as though as long as I have a bladder, it will be infected.
3 months ago I finally was able to get a referral to a Urologist and was given Nitrofurantoin 100mg/day as a preventative to take for 6 months. During the time since, I felt my life had returned to normal and have been able to resume having sex, though a UTI is still in the back of my mind.
I am disheartened in that I now have another UTI. It started as a dull ache and now the ache is much stronger, all the usual symptoms of the beginning of my UTI's. There is also the familiar scent and darker colour I am so used to seeing. I can't get in to see my Urologist for another 5 days and have no idea of what I should ask him.
I have a history of epilepsy, thyroid nodules with normal levels, irregular menses (2 cycles per month). My mother has never had a UTI, but my father and grandfather get them at least once a year.
The only thing I can think of in my history as significant is that my UTI's increased remarkably when I started taking Diamox for my seizures. I only was on it for a year, but have had problems ever since.
Other than my above medical conditions everything else seems to be working in my body.
Currently taking: Lamictal 400, Nitrofurantoin, Yasmin and Folic Acid supplements.
Are there any avenues that I can explore, or at least suggest to my Urologist? I live in a very rural area, hours from a "big city" med center. I would very much like to stay out of the emergency room as it is literally emptying my pockets. I read of a development for a vacine? How long until this is available? If there are studies I can participate in, whom can I contact?
Thanks,
Myo