DEAR READER:
Your urologist is right on the money. Vitamin C helps to increase the amount of acid in urine. As a result, the bladder is not an appealing environment for harmful bacteria. You have found a remedy that works for you and may help other readers. Thank you for writing.

I simply started washing “down there” with the betadine and the infection was gone! Now if I feel a UTI starting, I immediately wash or add a few drops to a bottle of prepared douche. It immediately resolves the problem. I hope this helps some of your other readers.

DEAR READER:
Urinary tract infections can be difficult to treat, especially in women who have recurring or frequent infections. Typical treatment usually consists of a course of oral antibiotics but for individuals such as you, finding a simple home treatment to prevent them can be vital.

I am printing your letter in the hopes that it will help other women who suffer from similar situations.

I would also like to recommend drinking a glass of cranberry juice daily that may prevent urinary tract and bladder infections. Drinking several glasses a day during an acute infection can also lessen symptoms and shorten recovery time.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

While in the hospital, a nurse spilled urine all down my back and I was not given a bath for two days before leaving. I now have to urinate every two hours during the night and have a very odd dark red, half circle on my both of my inner thighs. It does not itch and fades during the night. What should I do?

DEAR READER:
First, I don’t believe that your symptoms have anything to do with the nurse who spilt the urine or the fact that you were not allowed to bathe afterward. I can say that I am truly appalled by the situation and disappointed in the staff for not immediately helping you wash up. That must have been difficult to deal with and I urge you to write a letter to the hospital administrator expressing your dissatisfaction in that situation. There is no excuse for a patient to have to lie is bed covered in urine for two days.

Now to your symptoms. I believe there are two things going on here: first a urinary tract infection or vaginal inflammation and second, skin irritation.

Your symptoms of frequent urination and vaginal irritation suggest to me that you have an infection. Whether it is vaginal or urinary isn’t clear. I suggest you return to your physician and request testing. I recommend a culture and sensitivity to check for urinary infection. If that is negative he or she can either test for vaginal infection or refer you to a gynecologist for testing. Treatment is often easy and involves a course or two of antibiotics. It is always important to have repeat testing after treatment to ensure the infection has cleared.

In the meantime you can try drinking cranberry juice several times a day. Many women have experienced relief from symptoms using this simple remedy. If you do not like cranberry juice, try cranberry extract pills which can be purchased at most pharmacies.

Your inner thigh irritation may be related to your vaginal problems but based on your description that is fades during the night, leads me to believe that it is simply irritation. This could be the result of your clothing but is more likely due to your thighs rubbing together. You do not say if you are overweight or if your thighs touch. When walking or moving, as the skin from both legs comes in contact, its rubs together causing friction that can create a rash. For some this can become raised, red, itchy, or painful. In some cases, it may simply be red. The irritation often disappears or reduces during the night when there is little or no movement.

If this is the cause, losing weight or wearing pants, shorts or stockings on a regular basis may help. Creams or lotions may help. If it is due to your vaginal irritation, relief should be found when the infection is cured.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Vaginal Infections and Disorders” and “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 per report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

I’ve even taken my husband to the gynecologist with me and we’ve both been treated with Fluconazole, the generic equivalent of Diflucan.

I take 500 mg of cranberry extract daily that helps prevent UTIs, am on a multiple vitamin, iron, calcium, and Metamucil or Benefiber to prevent constipation. I use an allergy-fighter detergent without perfumes or dyes and wash in hot water, but no matter what I do, the infections continue. Do you have any suggestions?

DEAR READER:
Most urinary tract infections affect the urethra and bladder but may involve any aspect of the urinary system. They are generally caused by E. coli bacteria.

Initial symptoms can be urgency, burning, a strong odor, and blood in the urine.

Because of the structure of their anatomies, women — particularly those that are sexually active and/or post-menopausal — are more prone to infection than are men.

Drinking more water than usual, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and citrus juices is recommended until any infection has cleared.

Yeast infections are quite common and occur when too many yeast cells grow in the vagina. The most common form is called candida albicans. Other causes are high estrogen levels during pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, certain health problems such as diabetes, and the use of antibiotics.

Over-the-counter anti-fungal creams and suppositories, as well as anti-fungal tablets taken orally, are available for control of symptoms which can include a cottage cheese-like discharge.

As a general rule, if an individual experiences more than four infections within a year, an appointment should be made with a gynecologist or primary care physician for testing. The reason for this is to verify that symptoms are actually being caused by yeast and not diabetes or another medical condition.

Prevention of yeast infection can include avoiding douching, feminine sprays, scented toilet paper, and deodorant tampons. Women should wear cotton underwear instead of silk or synthetic fabrics and they should avoid tight-fitting clothing.

You have a vicious cycle going on here with medication given for a UTI that causes a yeast infection, which causes the problem all over again. Nothing is consistently eradicated. The next time a UTI occurs, have your primary care physician or gynecologist settle on one prescription medication. Include one or two jars of yogurt or acidophilus tablets in your daily diet while on the drug. Drink a glass or two of 100% cranberry juice daily, also. If this doesn’t deter infection, obtain a second opinion to find the real source for the problem. Get tested for diabetes and both you and your husband should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Vaginal Infections and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
Water and other fluids are a vital part of everyone’s daily diet. I often receive letters from people who drink at least eight glasses of water a day, in addition to other fluids, because they have read they should do so for good health. My response is to drink when you are thirsty. However, in your case, your body apparently doesn’t signal you as it does others. Therefore, remembering to drink 32 ounces of water a day appears appropriate.

Another excellent means of combating UTIs is to drink 100% cranberry juice or taking cranberry extract gel caps at the first signs of an infection.

DEAR READER:
I have received several letters indicating vinegar as a good urinary tract infection (UTI) preventive. This is most likely due to its acidity.

You do not say if you have had appropriate testing to find out why you are having so many infections. However, I assume since you are receiving the Cleveland Ostomy News pamphlet that you have a colostomy (artificial opening in which urine and feces leave the body). If this is the case, UTIs are common and particularly difficult to treat.

I have not heard of the Alka-Seltzer remedy and cannot imagine how it could cure an infection. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria and require antibiotics for treatment. Alka-Seltzer is an over-the-counter medication for stomach upset. If any of my readers have had experience using this remedy please let me know whether it was success or not.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

More than 30 years ago my mother had one UTI after another. Antibiotics would help her for a while but the infections always came back.

After many years of this, she went to Mayo Clinic. They told her that the inside of her bladder was acting like chapped hands. When it would crack open, the bacteria would enter and cause an infection. The told her to follow a low acid diet (no dairy, corn or citrus fruits). She rarely had a problem once she was on the diet. She lived to be 100. They also encouraged her to drink cranberry juice.

I hope this helps some of your readers the way it helped my dear mother.

DEAR READER:
The approach your mother took in response to chronic bladder infections was miraculous. I am, therefore, sharing it with my readers. Thank you for writing.

Readers, if any of you have had success using this method or wish to try it, please let me know what happens.

When these infections first started, there were several antibiotics that seemed to work. Now there is only one, Macrobid 100 mg. I take it two times a day for a full course immediately followed by Bactrim 400/80 mg once every night. My urologist said the Bactrim is supposed to “clean” my urine while I sleep.

I have followed these instructions for more than a year now. This therapy does not work. Three to five days after I finish the Macrobid, I have another infection! I am very worried about my kidneys. Will they eventually get infected too? What will happen when the Macrobid stops being effective? I have asked these questions of my urologist and the response is that only time will tell. Please help.

DEAR READER:
You appear to have a resistant chronic infection. This means that the infection is not being completely eradicated after finishing the course of Macrobid. This may be happening for several reasons. The most likely cause is that you are not being given the medication long enough. This could also explain why the infection is not responding to as many medications as it previously was. (If an antibiotic repeatedly fails to kill all the bacteria, they will eventually build up a resistance to it, making the medication ineffective.) Another possibility is that the infection is already in your kidneys. Kidney infections can be very difficult to treat because antibiotics do not readily penetrate the outer layers. A final option is that you have a combination infection. For example, the bacteria were not eliminated properly, built up a resistance to every antibiotic but Macrobid, moved into your kidneys and are persisting. In either case, I believe that you should take an extended course of antibiotics. Rather than the standard 10-day course (which I assume you receive on a regular basis), your urologist should try a one or two month course followed by testing to ensure the infection has been eliminated.

As an aside, the Bactrim does not appear to have any effect on your infection, if symptoms return after the Macrobid is stopped. Speak to your urologist about discontinuing the medication.

If your urologist is unwilling to listen to your concerns and make some appropriate changes to your current treatment, you should find someone else. A new physician will also bring a new perspective to the situation and may have other suggestions or treatments. If you decide to make the change, I recommend you seek out someone who is well-versed in chronic or recurring bladder infections in women.

This situation is not best handled by a wait-and-see format. Without proper treatment, the infection will only worsen. You need a physician willing to try different options.

Good luck and let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.