UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) in Men

[socrates2k1]

Hi, when it comes to being "different", I seem to always be the "square peg, in the round hole", so to speak.
I happen to be, one of the few men, who get UTI's (Urinary Tract Infections), very often.

I will be 50, in October, so I know, they are going to be, even more probable, oh yeah.
I have had kidney stones, in the past, but that was several years ago.

Normally, when I get the UTI "symptoms", I take some cranberry pills, and drink lots of water.
This usually clears it up, if not that same day, in a day or two.

I normally take, cranberry pills, every day, as part of my regiment of keeping UTI's away.

However, I have had the UTI "symptoms", this time, for almost 3 weeks now.

I have tried drinking a gallon of water per day
Taking up to 15 cranberry pills in one day (no, not every day, just twice, so far)
Drinking cranberry juice
Taking Echinacea pills and Vitamin C
Eating frozen and dried blueberries

I have used a home UTI Test (from AZO), which says I have high levels of Leukocytes (white blood cells), in my urine, but not high levels of Nitrite.

I'm not running a fever, so that's a good thing.

Yes, I know, the best answer, is to go see a family physician.
But, since I don't have any health/medical insurance (Medicare, in January 2012), I cannot afford to go see a doctor.

Symptoms:  burning sensation, pain in back and sides, having to frequently go (for a trickle), extremely cloudy urine (orangy-yellow, and very "rank" smelling)

Any other, "home remedies" any of you may know of, that I haven't tried yet?

Typically, my UTI's last 1-2 days, not 3 weeks.

I'm open to suggestions

[twopack]

Socrates, you ABSOLUTELY MUST treat a UTI with antibiotics.  There is NO home remedy that will kill the bacteria.  The things you have been using are great to help PREVENT a UTI (they do so by keeping the urine pH on the acid side) but can't give those leukocytes the help they need to wipe out what sounds like a raging infection.

Men certainly do get UTIs!!!  My son is 31.  A few weeks back he ended up being cathed at a stat care when he couldn't void at all.  They sent him home with the catheter still in and antibiotics to treat his UTI.  They are still trying to decide what came first, the infection or the inability to void.  He does not have MS.

My father was hospitalized ten years ago with a UTI.  Even with antibiotics the infection moved up into his kidneys.  It's an easy jump into the blood stream from there.   He was living in another state at the time.  I never saw him again.  He died of UTI sepsis.  He didn't have MS either.  His wasn't an odd-ball case.  Infections that start in the urinary tract (especially those not treated with antibiotics) are deadly.

Socrates, your aging and (no doubt enlarging) prostate combined with a MS bladder that is difficult to empty completely makes you VERY susceptible to urinary tract infection and I am afraid this one you have has been hanging around for quite some time.  It sounds like you have been able to keep it semi-controlled but I doubt it was ever truly gone.  The symptoms may have come and gone but my guess is that it continued to brew in your bladder and has finally exploded into full rage.  Lack of fever doesn't necessarily indicate less serious infection.  In fact, this could mean your body is no longer able to mount a proper defense against this invader.  This UTI needs treated NOW!

I don't say all this to scare you -- well, maybe I do.  I do want you to be very aware of how serious this is.  I understand you don't have insurance and are used to doing whatever you can at home as you wait for coverage to kick in BUT this is one of those things that CANNOT wait.  It certainly can't wait until January.

A hospital is required to give you necessary medical care and (let me repeat) this is absolutely necessary medical care.  You can tell them your situation and that you want minimum testing (a urinalysis and culture) and treatment with the least expensive effective antibiotic.  This would be easier at a family doctor's office but I really don't think you should even wait until the morning.  Yes, it could be that important.  And the longer you put this off, the more extensive and expensive the potential treatment will be.  Please do not wait until IV antibiotics and hospitalization are necessary.

If you are still unsure Socrates, read this to your wife and see what she thinks.  I'm betting she will encourage you to get the treatment you need and DESERVE.

I wish I could have spoken softer.  I care about you too much to tell you anything but the truth.

Mary.

[Lulu54]

S- Mary laid it out correctly for you- you must get medical attention immediately.  If you prolong getting help you are setting yourself up for more problems.  The prospect of damaging your kidneys and needing dialysis for the rest of your life should be enough motivation.

It doesn't take much for a uti to ascend through the kidneys and get into your blood stream and cause sepsis - I know because it happened with me last fall.

I hate that you are going through this and I understand about the money, but you really do need to be seen and treated.

Give us an update tomorrow and let us know what the doctor does for you.

Lulu

[Lulu54]

Ok, man - what did the doctor say today?  You did call, right?  You did see one, right?

[COBOB]

Socrates,  if you are prone to stones, that increases your risks of a UTI.  The stones cut through the mucus lining and give the bacteria a way in.  I get stones, renal colic and UTIs.  I should have stock in Bactrim.  

Bob

[sllowe]

I sure heard the message loud and clear, Socra, did you?

Home remedy doesn't clear the infection, buddy - you know this, but you know how we must go on, and on, lol

Once it's clear, then your doc can work w/something to adjust your Ph perhaps, or something that can be taken in low doses to ward it off. Chronic infection will keep you down.
Get back to us when you can!
-Shell

[socrates2k1]

I went to a Health Clinic, this afternoon.
Their urine test revealed, high levels of Leukocytes (white blood cells), in my urine, but not any level of Nitrites, and a small amount of blood.
The NP (Nurse Practioner) said, she didn't believe it was a UTI, but she gave me a Rx for an antibiotic (Cirpo - Ciprofloxacin 500mg), to take twice a day, for 7 days.  The urine test was the only kind they could perform.  She said, if I'm not better in one week, or if my symptoms worsen, go to an ER, where they can do more tests, like a CT scan to look for kidney stones, etc.)
So, we shall see.
[Note:  They didn't do any bloodwork, etc., so if it has gotten into my bloodstream, we have no way of knowing, at least not yet.]

So, I'm on a "wait and see" regiment (take the Rx, and see if I get better).  She did say, that Women w/UTI's see improvement w/in a day or two, while Men can take much longer.

Thank you all, for your advice, and suggestions.

Take care and may God bless, each and every one of you.

-- Socrates2k1 (aka Stan)

[Lulu54]

Stan,
Here's hoping the cipro kicks that bad boy and you feel better soon.

[socrates2k1]

Thank you, and believe me, I'm ready.

-- Socrates2k1