I'm starting this discussion because this topic seems to come up here and there. Hoping the new user who posted about it on an old thread will tell her story here.
I am not sure whether you were referring to me Morrell,but I have had 6 urine infections since April and no urticaria or Ls . I saw my consultant this week and after coming off the last lot of antibiotics my ls returned, but not too bad.She said that she would like to do a biopsy (an earlier one she cancelled because it looked not too bad) to confirm whether it wAs LS or lichen planus, now I have to wait two months for the biopsy
And I forgot to mention that when I got home after that visit there was a phone message for me to pick up some more antibiotics, another urine infection so my LS has quietened down again
Nice thing, when having to use anti-biotics, that we then get a break from LS, if only temporarely. However, at the same time I've experienced that the anti biotics weaken your system in a different way. For instance - shortly after a session with the anti biotics, just recently, my ear wanted to infect again and my throat became sore. (Odd?) So that I start to think that the anti biotic session actually may need to be followed up with suppliments that help your system to recover or restore from the 'damage' done by the anti-biotics. (The ear infection and the throat I treated simply with a salt water solution.) Does then perhaps the blatter also need some support to avoid a repeat infection?
Glad you found this topic. It was actually Winfred who posted about UTIs.
That's a lot of infections! Is your life very stress-filled? Have you seen a urologist? My mother was finally diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, not that there's much they can do for it. She doesn't have painful infections, just the frequent urges to pee. But what a pain anyway!
I'm inclined to agree with you, Hanny, about taking supplements when your system has been depleted this way. Or some really super-nutritious foods.
Thank you Morrell again! You always have sound and encouraging advice - you make what is a nasty affliction more tolerable and less scary. I feel I know you well from your very open and frank comments. Keep up the good work as we all sorely need support and encouragement such as you give.
Hey, Barking, where have you been? Nice to know you're out there. I wonder how many readers we have who don't speak up much. Coming here makes the best of a bad situation for me. This is a very special forum. We all need to be able to talk about our gory details somewhere. I tried joining the Facebook groups, but it's like Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory – the topics whiz by so fast there's no time for meaningful exchange, just gobbling.
I spoke earlier about UTI ,s and LS , I got a lot of water infections and after years of suffering finally my GP put me on daily antibiotics , its been great for the last 18 months but now the effect of the antibiotics is wearing off , l cannot use a different antibiotic because l am allergic to the others , they usually change them every 6 months but not for me l,m afraid . l am taking the same drug in a higher dosage when l get an infection but its getting harder to get rid of them . l am under severe stress at the moment which is not helping the LS. l did do some medition earlier this year which worked for me but my stressful sitution is getting worse and medition isn,t working very well, l am currently trying to find some medition that works . Stress is the main thing that sets LS off for me ,l was doing well and managing the LS well before .
In answer to your question I am completely stress free..I was just told it was another autoimmune condition which often happens when you already have some ie thyroid.I have not seen a urologist but will see my doctor when I finished these antibiotics
Hi Winifred--So sorry to hear about the UTI's and antibiotic allergies. I also am allergic to most antibiotics and had a UTI this past spring--first one for me in probably 30 years. In the past I had UTI's chonically and was on daily antibiotics for a couple of years (until I realized that the chronic hives that I'd had for a year were caused by the antibiotic). What ended up making a huge difference for me was taking probiotics--I think that I'd taken so many antibiotics over the years that my gut and urinary flora was out of balance, which allowed me to keep getting the UTI's. Now I eat natural sauerkraut, take probiotics, and cranberry tablets and have been overall doing much better. Is there anything that you've tried that's helped you? --Suzanne
If you're stress-free, then that's half the battle. I'd like to think Suzanne's suggestions for repopulating your good bacteria would help anyone who's been on multiple courses of antibiotics. I've been making my own yogurt with good starter powder from a cheesemaking supply house for a year or so. And organic milk that doesn't kill the good bacteria. I think it really helps my digestive system.
Hello Suzanne, l have not tried anything except for drinking lots of cranberry juice l stopped when my Docter told me l would have to drink gallons to make a difference. The probiotics sounds like it would be a good idea for me l will give it a go . l take four different drugs a day so my system as taken a beating over the years, it could certainly do with some attention. l am going to try meditition l did it earlier this year but l seem to have reached a wall with it , my friend taught me to do it ,so l am hoping to get her to help me get back on it again , for a time it really chilled me out , my blood pressure came right down , l think its an ongoing kind of thing and as to be taken to different levels , its amazing really , that if you get your mind in the right place the rest of your body sorts itself out. Basically l,m up for trying anything ! XX
Hi Jenny , l was told by my docter that its a vicious circle if you have a thyroid condition ( l have) and LS which makes you more prone to water infections, the two together are a lethal combination. l just drink loads of water , l am going to start taking bottles of water out with me , its not easy though because you need the loo all the time! also going to try the probiotics Suzannne suggests. xx
ps ... forget to mention water l drink loads of the stuff, going to take bottles out with me from now on X
Hi Winifred--The cranberry tablets are more concentrated so they don't require all of the gulping that the juice does. I like Morrell's suggestion of yogurt too, if you're able to tolerate dairy (wish I were!). While there are limits to probiotics since they just replace a few of the thousands that we have that are impacted by antibiotics, but they can definitely help some women with UTI's. Also, some women actually apply yogurt vaginally, or insert a probiotic pill before bed to repopulate the area (though ingesting is probably sufficient). The gyno-urinary tract has a complex balance of organisms (as do all of the parts of our bodies that come in contact with the outside world) and the paradox is that antibiotics can help knock out the bad guys, but they also can hurt the good guys that protect us from the next infection--so anything that we can do to reestablish our natural defenses will help prevent UTI's and vaginal infections, too. I read somewhere that women who use soap on their genitals run a much greater risk of UTI's (again, seems to wash away the good guys). So, apparently for UTI prevention, as well as for LS, soap is not recommended.
Stress reduction and meditation can be very helpful in allowing our bodies to heal, which is difficult when we are running our sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). Need to be in our parasympathetic systems to do repair and healing in our bodies. I think that Morrell has been a serious mediator. Is that right, Morrell? --Suzanne
Have you tried drawing and painting Winifred? It's my main form of meditation.
Just having joined the group (yesterday!) and reading through the posts - I wondered if this could help ? To diminish effects and after effects of antibiotics I take a probiotic every day and this has helped over the years.
Thanks for reply Winifred , I am sick of all the medication I have to take for a lot of other things.when these antibiotics are finished will go back to my doctor. Then I have the dreaded biopsy to look forward to. i know I dont drink enough water but I am trying my best.
HI , first l want to thank you all for the way you have welcomed me into your group, its made me feel so much better to be able to talk with you all .Hanny, funnily enough l use to paint years ago , got caught up in work and family and l haven,t painted for years, but my grandson is showing talent and l have set him up in my house and am teaching him everything l know and l do find it fun , l shall have to maybe do it again for myself. l also like to read l find it very relaxing l can lose myself in a good book l heard on the radio that your blood pressure drops within minutes of starting to read a book. Starting today with the probiotics ,going to see about some cranberry tablets next time l am at the health shop, also getting some youghut. Hopefully things will get better !