Feeling rough with UTI

Women's health
1

Hi everyone

I am having a rough time just now - I am 49 and a half and have been feeling rough on and off for about a year and a half now.

My latest problem seems to be a low grade UTi which is proving difficult to shift.  I constantly feel I need to pee and am on my second lot of antibiotics.  I am doing my Kegel exercises, pilates, cycling and sit ups to try and strengthen all of these "vital" areas.

I was just wondering if any others out there have had or are having this annoying symptom?

Thanks

Jo

2

Hi

I am. Was on antibiotics a few weeks ago. How does menopause cause this? I don't understand the link. Sorry you struggle too.

3

HI

Thanks so much for your reply.  I am sorry you are struggling but on the other hand it is good to know I am not on my own, if that makes sense!

I think it has something to do with everything in that area just getting weaker.  Are you having other horrible symptoms too?

x

4

I know what you mean. I have nights sweats-used to be worse a few years ago. Started having flushes a few weeks ago, but it seems to have eased up. Periods are different than they was-I still have them, but heavier, last a bit longer, can take a few days to properly start. I had a real bad spell of anxiety 3-4 ago that lasted 1-2 years-was forced to go on medication with that; I've weaned myself off now. Weeing a lot and UTI, etc. I am 50 years old x

5

I had to have an endometrial ablation in September last year as my periods were soooooooooooo dreadful, they last for up to 15 days with clotting and horrendous pain.  The consultant told me that this procedure would 99% stop my periods.  Guess what?  Mine just kept coming.  Maybe not so heavy but they are starting to be irregular and maybe not so heavy.  I had two last month and now in this month I am having like horrible brownish discharge.  I had dreadful anxiety as well up until recently and nausea and sore breasts and joint pain, but that doesn't seem to be quite so bad.  I am eating really healthily and exercising, as I said before.  Hoping things will start to ease for us both really soon.  Take care. xx and thanks again xxxx

6

Hi Jo

when i was in peri i had bladder issues, and many times felt like i had a UTI sometimes needed anti biotics, other times i had what i felt was UTi but wasnt, and apparently during peri the erratic hormones may affect bladder, mine became sensitive .. My ' what i thought was a UTI feeling' was often a muscle spasm, and doctor gave me Oxybutinon tablets, just to take when this UTi / Cystitis feeling came, so i took as and when and only one tablet.

this then relaxes the bladder spasm and all was good.

also ... back in peri days, acidic things set me off, too ie: the carton concentrate ornage juice ... That causes blood in urine for me too,

also in peri, i had a tendancy to wee alot, like an urgency, but when at loo, not urgent at all, again Oxybutinon help this  .. I am post meno now, and this has all gone .. Very rare i get this feeling now..

back then, i had tests, a camera in bladder etc all was fine, orange concentrate juice in those cartons from the supermarket causes me havoc  aswell, and the sensitive hormonal bladder sensations.. 

only freshly squeezed orange juice for me now that doesnt affect me - not full of additives etc ..

just thought i would share incase it helps 

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How Does Menopause Affect Bladder Control?

During and after the process of menopause, levels of the female hormone estrogen drop significantly. In addition to controlling your monthly periods and body changes during pregnancy, estrogen helps keep the bladder and the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, healthy.

Lack of estrogen may also cause the pelvic muscles responsible for bladder control to weaken, resulting in urinary incontinence. 

8

Hi Joanna

UTi's are the pits. I had a spate of them a while ago and Gp put me on 500mg Keflex (broad spectrum antibiotic) for 7 days to clear the infection. Then recommended to have 1 tablet (500mg) Keflex every time hubbie and I are "intimate" as a prophylactic to prevent uti's. So far has worked a treat and have been uti-free for laSt 4 years.

Ask your doctor about this option. Perfectly safe and prevents recurrence.

Best of luck,

Sydneymum

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What Kind of Bladder Control Problems May Develop After Menopause?

Some of the bladder control problems which may develop because of menopause include:

Stress incontinence. Pressure from coughing, sneezing, or lifting can push urine through the weakened muscle. This kind of leakage is called stress incontinence. It is one of the most common kinds of bladder control problems in older women.

Urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is another very common bladder control problem. With this condition, the bladder muscles squeeze at the wrong time -- or all the time -- and cause leaks.

Painful urination.

Nocturia. The need to get out of bed to urinate several times a night.

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I do have to thank you so much for posting the 66 premanpause systoms list, I am so glade I found this website, it trully helps me out , there are times I feel like I am going crazy like something is wrong, I just log into this chate room and I feel much better I am not alone. Thank you again!!!

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hi Natalie 

thanks for kind words..

oh hun, never feel alone..

today i have a day of no interest or energy to to much at all.

😩 let your body rest when it asks - the. a better day tomorrow .

jay x

12

Hello, I had exactly what you are describing and it is horrible.  Eventually I was put on a course of antibiotic cream inserted vaginaly and vagifem tablets.  These did the trick.  Whilst waiting for them to kick in I was given 10/20mg amitriptylene to take nightly.  They were brill, at a low dose these antidepressants are pain killers but they work differently from aspirin etc. which as you probably have worked out by now don't help at all.  Not only that but they helped me sleep at night.  Would strongly recommend you ask your Dr. about them.

13

The constant need to pee was unbearable. When this started, I just did not make the connection it was part of the 'pause journey. Ugh. Ok, I am just going to say this: A vibrator (clit stimulator) helped me. Blushing..., but I have to pass on this info.

 My sister, who is two years older and has been going through this for three years; she is 51, told me about this one.  Keegles help, but she suggested that I try a vibrator. Helps strengthen the area. I though she was off her rocker, but I could no longer put up with the frequesnt need to pee. The area was just not as strong from non frequent use. lol. Speachless. Who knew. I look at it as direct excercise, and it does help.

 

14

I do sympathise, I've been through it and still going thru it to some extent and it is the worst feeling, a hot bath and a pillow between the leg also helps but do try amitriptyline.

15

Hi joanna4978

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Hi joanna49787

i have had the same experience the same as you UTI for a year and half I was on so many antibiotic even a three monthly one which you could try first but I found nothing was ever any good.I recently having horrendous sweats and started taking HRT but I have found out that the HRT has cleared up my UTI a well. I don't know your circumstances or whether yo are menopausal or not but all I can say is I'm slightly older than you and it's been the best cure I've had.hope this helps

17

hi joanna .. about 3 months ago i got a really bad UTI .. it made me so ill .. i finally 'got rid' of it .. but i still feel as if it is lurking there .. just waiting for the right moment to start all over again .. since having it .. my bladder and me are not friends at all .. i can go from really bursting to go the loo and the tiniest trickle coming out and my bladder still feeling full to bursting point .. to other times i can go like niagara falls every 20 minutes .. im having to get up about 4 or 5 times through the night to go for a wee .. its driving me nuts ..

18

Thanks, Jayneejay for your help again.  I really have changed my diet as much as I can bear!  I have cut out all acidy fruit juice, sugar, chocolate etc.  An odd glass of red wine is my only vice now and I don't know whether it is still affecting by bladder!  My UTI feels a bit better but still strange sensation sometimes.  Hopefully it will all pass with the other crap too!

x

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Thanks so much.

x

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I certainly will!

Thanks very much for your words of wisdom.

x