The Uti Archives

After living 10+ years with with Recurrent Utis, I decided to a procedure done - Fulguration - and created this blog to share my journey and progress for anyone who might find this useful.

[theutiarchives]

Jan-July 2023

It’s been a while since I posted and a lot has happened since. To be honest for the most part (feb-jun) of this year was awful and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I don’t even know where to start and this would be a huge post if I wrote down everything that happened and all the details, so I’ll just summarize:

• I tested negative finally for high risk HPV, I still had one strain positive from last year and it finally cleared. I definitely think the investment on some supplements (and diet) was worth it. I wasn’t going anywhere before with the traditional approach of “waiting and watching” and things were getting worse. Since I started my protocol things definitely improved and “fast”. The not so good part is that the deep pelvic pain I started to feel as soon as I became intimate with my partner is still here, and I now believe he passed me something that ultimately became a permanent problem although HPV is dormant. And no, I don’t have any visible problem and all tests are negative and I did pelvic therapy that didn’t help. From symptoms, it fits endometriosis (I have Adenomyosis confirmed) but I’m not doing a laparoscopy anytime soon.

• Treatment for SIBO with herbals gave me diarrhea with weight loss although my stools turned temporarily brown with Berberine and neem. I was already underwheight and had to stop. Rifaximin after, didn’t give me diarrhea but didn’t solve the yellow stools and by the end of the treatment also triggered my gut (although no diarrhea) with further weight loss. I hit my all time low after this. Very underwheight, even my period became irregular. Zero energy, and a bunch of stomach pains immediately after..

• I developed gastritis and intestinal pains and tested positive for H.Pylori. Natural treatment didn’t work and my functional doctor eventually had to put me on a PPI and do the conventional antibiotic therapy that by the way is extremely aggressive. I developed severe gastritis, housebound, in a lot of pains 24/7 and sleep deprived. For months I couldn’t work. I was a wounded animal sitting in a couch all day. Tbh it’s psychologically hard to describe these months so I’ll just leave it at this.

• After Pylera (antibiotics) my gut was even worse, as expected, but it worked for Pylori. My diet is now extremely limited to what my stomach can cope, and I’m eating only very bland foods well cooked and non-acidic until the stomach walls fully recover which can take many months to a year. I believe that by the time I did Pylera I developed ulcers, such were the pains. I have to eat still very frequently, every 2h or so and I’m finally getting better. It took me a month after the therapy to get off PPIs and I’d be much more comfortable if I were still on them but the side effects are no joke and for SIBO is definitely not good, my gut hates the PPIs so I got off of them as soon as I could. I endured the acid rebound pains although I tappered slowly. I’m now able to work and go outside as long as I take all the food I need with me at all times and keep eating frequently. Im not kissing or sharing anything with my partner (saliva wise) for the next foreseeable months. A lot could be said about this, and how unnecessary this is but I have my reasons regardless of what any doctor says.

• Gut: As for the yellow and loose stools those still continue and are overall worse than before especially the yellow part. Bile issues have been discarded a long time ago and if Berberine and Neem temporarily worked, means it’s a bacterial problem. Although I’m sensitive to fats - but also a lot of other things - so, a conundrum. All carbohydrates even low FODMAP ones give me yellow stools. I don’t have any Candida though and have done antifungals. I’m a puzzle. I wasn’t sensitive to gluten at all although I’ve been gluten free for over a year - yet recently with the gastritis I tried white bread and the intestinal pains it triggered were insane. I also have pains in my cecum and ascending colon every time the stools are firm, which means somehow they put pressure in that area when passing. I don’t think I have a ileocecal valve dysfunction but my functional doc at this point doesn’t know what else to do with me. I’ll be pursuing other avenues if I can in the future. The majority of supporting supplements either do nothing or make me worse, and my stomach can’t handle them now (gastritis). I’ve seen another gastroenterologist - supposedly one of the bests in the country - and the gaslighting and mistreatment was such I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I went to a psychiatrist, forced by this doc that told my family this is all in my head. Ignoring the positive test for pylori and my gastritis pains! And ofc the psychiatrist didn’t find anything wrong with me, just said if there was something that couldpotentially help would be amytriptiline. I was on it for a while but because it solved basically nothing at all the psychiatrist told them there’s nothing mentally wrong with me.

• These past few months I had significant discussions with family and even partner. If I wasn’t struggling mentally before, there were many times where I felt I was starting to break apart. The sleep deprivation (from pains), the inability to work or leave the house, coupled with lack of moral support, hurt me, and there are things I heard I don’t think I’ll be able to forget. Including from my partner, that was always supportive but at some point he wasn’t, and some things he said (for me) were a red flag.

Everything is better lately though. And if there is one positive thing is that for the first time in 2years I managed to gain 2kg after pylori treatment and with the gastiris diet. I had lost 10Kg. Still have a long way to go, I have nutritional deficiencies and I don’t even want to test my ferritin at this point.

• There are many layers to all of this, a lot of details I skipped. If anyone has doubts I’ll answer any questions. I still can’t get over how Cefuroxime for the bladder managed to turn my stools yellow and triggered everything I’m going through now. Oh, as for bladder I had one post coital infection (e.coli) after the Pylera therapy because I couldn’t keep up with the proper dmannose dosage on empty stomach- I managed to treat it under 2 weeks on high dosages of Dmannose at the expense of stomach pains (empty stomach hurts like hell for gastritis, but it’s the only way dmannose works properly for me). But all of this confirms what I initially felt: I am still dependent on dmannose for post coital infection prevention. Although it works now and before fulguration it wasn’t enough. What I don’t have anymore is those random and frequent flares (in my case, full blown UTIs) all the time.

As if all of this wasn’t enough, my mother underwent major surgery to remove half her pancreas and spleen, due to pre cancerous cells. She’s still in hospital, and now I’m having to take care of my parents house, my father, and still take care of me and cook and eat every 2h and pause when my stomach starts hurting.

I have no idea when I’ll post again, but I will at some point when I have new and significant progress.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

2022

Since I started writing this blog I didn't really have a clear idea of what I would do with it long term, I just knew I wanted to share my bladder fulguration journey for those who had symptoms similar to mine. For history and updates check those posts. On the 12month update I mention what fulguration meant for me.

So overall, in 2022 I only had one bladder infection, (feels surreal), luckily e.coli, which I managed to treat it with dmannose and a few extra herbals (completely new territory for me, as I’ve never been able to do this). Honestly feels like it’s not me, but it is. For many, this would mean I’m cured. For others, I’m just managing things with the dmannose, (for e.coli) as the underlying cause is probably still here. I do feel like my GAG layer did improve, and I am able to eat things that would provoke irritation & cause infections to surface many times. But I’m not able to have intercourse without the dmannose for example, as I truly feel an infection would follow. And I still don’t tolerate B vitamins & a few other things (including general Lactobacillus/Bifidum probiotics), as my bladder still reacts very negatively. And if I insisted, an infection would come. High loads of bacteria, always.

However, and having in mind my previous 11years, being able to get here is a huge, huge, huge win. What I wasn’t expecting is the type of damage the antibiotics did for all these years. Being diagnosed with SIBO and loosing 8kg so far and looking honestly horrible, too skinny to look healthy or feel ok, was a price I had no idea I was going to pay. SIBO is a beast. I’m under treatment now and will retest also around February 2023, maybe sooner. Also not cool is this persistent HPV with cervical pains, for over 2y now, especially with cervical cancer history in direct family. I try not to think about this often, take my antivirals and follow the diet that is evidence based to improve my condition and so far all in all, I’m now down to 1 active strain, whereas this spring I had 3. Intercourse is very adapted to what I can cope - which is little. I will retest now, around February 2023, fingers crossed this remaining one is gone. However I was hoping the pain would start to subside, and it hasn’t. HPV is systemic as any virus and I suspect the damage is very, very deep. My cervix no longer looks inflamed for example - which is great. But the deep pelvic pain in a certain direction is there, and not a lot of pressure is needed. My pelvic therapist is amazing and goes way way beyond the typical excercises. Having Adeno also isn’t great, but that’s not news. And it’s something that also improved with time. I would need several pills to get by during my period, but not anymore. Pains are still there, but just for the first day, and I manage them the best I can without any pharmaceuticals now. This is also huge for me.

So basically this year was the year I managed to at least put a *huge* break in the bladder front, but unfortunately all abx and immune changes came with a high price to pay, health wise. The amount of stuff abx managed to wreck still leaves me sort of speechless to be honest. But last year around this time I had no idea whatsoever that the bladder problems would be totally under control in less than a year, and yet here I am. So I hope next year I can share a post on how I also managed to heal from SIBO and all the remaining issues. I’m tired of “issues”, I just wanted to be a normal person and live my life without any health worries, but I’m 37 and I do plan to be a mother, so I have to fight to get my body and health back into shape. And even if I didn’t plan to be a mother, I’d want the same, because I’m definitely feeling and looking weak. And as always, I’ll be as optimistic as possible along the way and live everything life has to offer in the “in betweens” of any ups and downs, weather they’re health related, or personal, or professional!

I wish the world comes to a better place next year and as for everyone else reading this, a huge hug if you’re struggling. Don’t give up 🤍.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

12 MONTHS

Topics: Bladder; Fulguration; Cervix/HPV current status; Gut and stool test results; Adenomyosis/period pains; Tinnitus/Vertigo;

BLADDER: 365 days after fulguration, I had an infection - a karmic joke to celebrate? After fulguration I had (an expected!) infection when the scab came off, and that was it. I did experience a few false alarms this year, shedding and other discomforts, and surely felt the ups and downs during the healing phase. But this was different, I can say this was my “first” infection after fulguration. However, being almost 10 months free of any, and being able to have intercourse without triggering a new infection - because now dmannose is also able to prevent one (e coli was my main post coital bug) - is an *amazing* result for me. This infection wasn’t triggered by sex but rather from a temporary gut dysbiosis (crap food&a brownie)... and next day my bladder was angry. I instantly knew it was infection. Not a false alarm. I panicked, but before reaching for any abx, I decided to see if I responded to dmannose, and very luckily, I did. It was e.coli.. if it were enterococcus(also usual for me), it would have been a lot trickier. My e.coli type clearly changed, as I didn’t respond to dmannose before fulguration and now I do? Still puzzled. By the 3rd day of taking 2g of dmannose in a small cup of water every 2h most symptoms disappeared, but the infection was still there.. I could feel it wanting to come back every few hours, so I jumped to my herbals and took tons of teas and the did several liquid plant extracts, plus high dose Lipossomal vit C, etc. And that resolved the rest. In 7 days I was 98% ok. I couldn’t believe it! No abx!

FULGURATION: Despite my overall improvement this last year, I’m honestly not convinced at all fulguration alone did the trick. It was potentially a helping step, amongst many others I took - and some were far harder than taking any pills or supplements. As many of you know I’ve changed a lot of things in my life, from stress management to diet to exploring daily herbals and other antimicrobials for years now, especially since 2020 although I technically started exploring non-abx options before. In 2021 I started to reduce the number of flares, so it was starting to pay off, but it was a year heavily marked with oral prednisone (corticosteroids) for months (I started them in 2020). My face was painfully deformed by a type of Angioedema that was triggered by abx, and then the prednisone itself made me have even more infections - a loop from hell. Also dealt with chronic Candida. Further diet changes and other things were needed (Yeast post). But as that went away, I continued to support my gut (=immune system) to the best of my abilities, and I avoided abx as much as possible, before and after fulguration. Spent 9 months on total without intercourse, 6 of them after fulguration, so I wouldn’t risk any infection while healing. I ate a *very* clean diet, tons of varied veggies, day in and day out, rain or shine, alongside daily teas and other herbals/supplements; the diet changed over time, I adapted it as my gut managed to digest things that it couldn’t at first (fiber) and for the first few months. Abx truly recked my gut, especially the cephalosporins for the past few years, but an overall 11year history of *very* frequent abx can’t be ignored. I also took my fair share of abx as a child. And I was born cesarean (less immunity) and was breastfed for little time. There are no miracles. It will take time to go back to my former “gut self” (or rather, a better gut self…) although I’m much better now. I didn’t take any abx this year so far: This alone, feels surreal. Responding to dmannose also feels surreal. Avoiding acute flares after intercourse, is ..beyond surreal, can’t even put in words. Like it’s not happening to me - but it is! It’s the first time in my truly “adult” life (I’m 36!) that I *could* have intercourse with relative peace. But…

HPV: One of the biggest challenges I’m still facing is my cervix (previous posts). I have downgraded my lesions from CIN1 to ASCUS, and from 3high risk strains I’m now down to 1. However my cervical pains haven’t decreased much and intercourse is very limited and adapted to what I can cope - which is little to be honest. Had I supported my immune system from the get go with the antivirals that allowed me to *now* downgrade the severity of the infection, and I probably wouldn’t be in this predicament. Especially because persistent high risk HPV with cervical pains is not a good combo at all to have, and my grandmother died precisely of this. So, I have C history here in direct family. But I was a mess with my bladder and side effects from antibiotics so I didn’t focus on HPV as I should back in 2020. Worrisome also because I’m almost 37 and haven’t become a mother (but that’s another layer of impact all this has).

GUT: As for my gut I got my comprehensive stool test results back and the diversity range is good although it has room to improve. And no large colon dysbiosis at all. Excellent butyrate levels, etc. (See Gut posts). Still have Kleb overgrowth and little Lactobacillus, so there’s work to be done. Note that just back in December I had my gut in shambles, blood in feces, white mucus, yellow runny stools and overall foul smell with multiple runs to the bathroom daily - and I didn’t take a single Lactobacillus or Bifidum probiotic to get this result now. I can’t, they give me SIBO symptoms and bladder infections (little did I knew…). So, no "gut supplements" at all actually, although I’ve tried. I had to go with food and food only to try to start to reverse years of abx damage - although now I know it’s not enough: So where are my IBS symptoms stemming from? Another test was done: SIBO breath test. It came back with very high Hydrogen dominant SIBO. I was sort of shocked to be honest - because apart from the very negative reaction to probiotics, I don’t have (anymore, and for many many months now) any bloating, digestive discomfort, or major gas. Or any, gas, to be honest. But there it is: it’s SIBO. So my “gut issue” stems from the small intestine. Many with my levels have a lot of symptoms- but I don’t, hence it took me ages to do this test. Actually took me ages to find someone who would prescribe both tests…

But it was a very valuable piece of information. The only thing that has been worrisome is my weight loss. I’m prone to IBS-D, or SIBO-D / Hydrogen dominant and this is many times (although there are exceptions) associated with progressive weight loss no matter how many calories one eats, and now I’m very underweight. Malabsorption is an issue as a lot of nutrients aren’t being absorbed and vitamin/mineral deficiencies are to be expected with time. Some I already have, common with SIBO sufferers: iron deficiency. My B12 is plummeting, folate levels dropped.

There is a strong link between any gut dysbiosis and bladder - I’m very much in this category I believe. So if I want to remain infection free I have to tackle this. I’ve had one period in the past that I remained infection free for quite a while, and then it all returned and with a vengeance. So I’m not resting this time thinking this is a solved issue. Regardless, SIBO is an entire new journey in itself, a quite tricky issue to solve, but it has to be done or my health will continue to deteriorate. And I already feel underweight and fragile enough as it is, with little energy to spend each day.

And I will lastly say this. I know antibiotics save lives, and are very much needed for many. But all the damage I’m dealing now stems from them. And it is no joke. Treatments will be expensive, take a lot of time, patience and effort. My body, my immune system truly was shot. I’m bones and skin. Hair falling in clumps. Had vertigo, tinnitus, angioedemas, dysbiosis, super painful periods, inflamed cervix, persistent viral infection, deficiencies. All in the last 2years. SIBO was there already and I just didn’t know, and now just got way worse. I never thought this could happen to me. Antibiotics came with a very high price to pay long term - for me. I just wanted a worry free (health wise) thirties, but here I am, dealing with the damage they left.

PERIOD PAINS: One "interesting" thing happened also that same month I did the gut test - but I also wasn’t surprised. My Adeno /period pains came back with a vengeance. One single week of deviation from my usually clean diet managed to set my IBS(SIBO-D!) off again for 3 weeks and as a result my reproductive health suffered. It’s all connected we all know that. So, months and months of work to improve my pains - I was already 60% better just with diet alone, although it took me almost a year of clean diet to get there and start noticing consistent results - and one single week was enough to send me back to square zero. Thankfully it was just that one cycle and the next one I managed to keep my gut in “shape”, my diet clean (always with a lot of daily work on my part), and so my period pains reduced again significantly the next cycle I had. Of note, I also had another Vertigo/Tinnitus attack that only lasted 1 day thankfully, this same cycle. Coincidence? I don't think so.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

Gut health and Bladder infections

❦ PART I of II:

Within the context of chronic or recurrent bladder infections, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or any chronic health issue actually, everyone at this point knows how important gut health is - at least theoretically. Even more with the frequent or long term intake of antibiotics. It gets critical. But putting into practice daily and sustained actions that actually support gut health, was the hardest part. Firstly, because at first I didn't realize how important it actually is, and secondly, because the maze of information and misinformation out there is crazy. I didn’t have a linear perfect path, at all. Also, everything surrounding gut health does depend quite a lot on where are you at right now. I think I could have avoided some of my gut issues if I had started sooner, when I had "no symtoms", if I had paid real attention to what I was eating daily. There are those who can take antibiotics, daily and long term, and don’t necessarily feel anything wrong with their guts (not that their microbiome is super healthy, it's just that they don’t feel it "directly"). And then there are those like me: it was just a matter of time. And when it gets to that stage, stuff gets a bit more tricky and harder to solve.

Firstly, because the digestive system begins in the mouth and ends...where it ends. And a lot can get affected along the way. So, symptoms, and treatment plans, will vary a lot from person to person - It’s an individual journey.

Starting right at the mouth, so many of us will not have healthy looking tongues with digestive issues or bacterial overgrowths; a compromised mouth environment right there starts to alter the digestion; Then the stomach:  we can have low stomach acid, or ulcers, or develop H.Pylori, etc; Then the small intestine: bacterial overgrowths, like SIBO, damaged villi (takes months and months to recover), or impaired enzyme production to break down foods, etc; Then the liver (don’t forget antibiotics get filtered by the liver): bile production; synthesizing enzymes,etc. The liver, and pancreas, are incredibly important parts of the digestive health that are often forgotten, and often affected, and many times, silent sufferers. Then the large intestine. Where all the magic happens - 70% to 80% of the immune system happens right here - but it's also the place where the nightmares happen. Including antibiotic resistance. It develops here, not on the bladder. Now throw inflammatory foods and beverages on top, or just an overall poor diet, and hell can break loose.

With time, the gut barrier wall gets “nano” perforated (leaky gut); and toxins, that should end up on the toilet, re-enter the body through those "nano holes" in your intestines, and go to your blood - and your blood? Your blood goes everywhere. Even your urine is filtered through the kidneys, from blood. Cytokine storms happen, and drive inflammatory reactions through the roof; you get more "pains"; immune cells get hyperactive; auto-immune disorders flare; co-infections such as lyme, ureaplasma,or others, like HPV (viral), or fungal infections, have a green card to thrive/flare; the blood-brain barrier can also get compromised (“leaky”) and the famous "brain fog" happens (toxins enter the brain); mood, central nervous system, concentration, all get compromised. Anxiety and stress rise, along with cortisol, and constant high cortisol further shuts down immune function. Hormones get out of whack. Prostaglandins will increase more than usual (mastalgia and period pains can go through the roof for those with issues there). Malabsorption starts to happen as the villi and gut mucosal lining gets less effective and more inflamed due to the inferior colonies of beneficial gut bateria, because diversity decreased.  Important vitamins and minerals aren’t properly absorbed, the very ones needed for quality cell renewal - including new bladder cells. Critical micronutrients can start to miss, nerves can get damaged; so many other conditions can get worse, like Endo or Adeno, etc. Allergic reactions can happen, skin issues, etc.; The immune system gets further depleted with time, pathogenic bacteria get stronger, and wherever an infection is happening in the body, whether it’s viral, bacterial, or fungal, embedded or not, can get worse, or persist for longer.

A quite horrible scenario, so why did I take antibiotics? - because I had no other choice at some point. Like so many others. Simple as this. It’s either that or risk kidney infection and then septicemia and die. It's not fair to vilify antibiotic therapy when it literally saves lives. Literally. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them.

But they are a double-edged sword, and as I progressed on my journey (with many bumps on the way), I tried to learn as much as I could about the importance of diet and the digestive system, and how I could support it, precisely because my gut got worse and worse with time, and I knew this meant my immunity and overall health was declining (and it did in fact decline and I got new problems on top). So at the end of the day, strengthening the immune system (gut) with the right diet was(is!) the very least I felt I had to do to try to “hang in there” despite antibiotics. And to start to at least try to reverse damage - or avoid  unecessary further damage.

PART II (continued):

Learning what I could and should eat, and what I shouldn’t, was, and still is, a very personal journey. This post isn't to tell anyone to follow a particular diet - who am I to say that. However I want to share that there are basic "gut-health parameters" that everyone benefits from, to reverse or minimize that cascade of issues above mentioned: by increasing the beneficial colonies of bacteria you have. The thousands you have, forget the "15 species that amazing probiotic has". We have trillions of microorganisms that are impossible to put on a pill. And not all of them are bacteria. Gut *diversity* is the key to gut health. 

How? Choosing a high fiber, PREbiotic diet. Why? Beneficial flora thrive on it. It's their food. Hence the name "pre" (before). Because when *your own* beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms grow in numbers, and are diverse and well fed, daily, they release short-chain-fatty-acids (SCFAs). These, namely acetate, propionate and butyrate, are *the gold every single person wants in their gut, regardless of any condition they have*. There is no supplement for this. These are the Postbiotics, the most healing substances that benefitial flora release to fight inflammation, tighten and close loose gut junctions (aka heal leaky gut) - and those gates of hell start to close. They are "anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, anti-anerogenic, anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-proliferative, and hypocholesterolemic (...) that enhance both the immune system and intestinal barrier function". As a result, with time, leaky gut gets repaired, toxins don't enter the bloodstream, the blood-brain barrier also gets restored, and everything else starts to calm down/reverse, including, of course, the dysbiosis in itself. It's a 2 in 1 process. Toxins are flushed out (as supposed to). Postbiotics like Butyrate raise T-Cells in your intestine, critical for whole body immune response (and response to infections). Pathogenic bacteria start to have a hard time thriving in greater numbers - and it's harder to develop resistances, although a lot can be sad about this, ofc. Inflammatory reactions decrease, micronutrients start to be better absorbed again, etc.

So, we can go all the way with a thousand supplements (some very needed!), but in the end we come back to the very basics: diet is key for (gut) health, with fiber/prebiotics (aka PLANTS) being paramount to achieve this. And there are many different types of fiber (soluble and insoluble and starches is an "oversimplification" of sorts) and different bugs have different preferences on what they like to eat to grow, just like us. *Variety* is key. There's no supplement to cover this diversity. Even a fiber supplement (avoid Inulin if you have gas) like Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), or  partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) or physillum husk can help, but do not substitute a *varied* source of fibers/prebiotics and of course all the micronutrients from: a diet rich in a high *abundance* and *variety* of ... plants (all plants, legumes, fruits...diversity!). Aim for the rainbow in your plate: every day. 

So, all fun and games - but for someone who has IBS-D, such as me, the tendency is to cut down fiber and resistant starches so the gut won’t flare/bloat/get gassy/have diarrhea. "Avoid the foods that cause the___ (bloating,constipation,diarrhea)". The worst (and old) misconception that still goes around - unless of course there's an actual allergy or severe lactose intolerance, or obviously you're temporarily on a Low FODMAP diet or any other temporary treatment plan, etc. Otherwise, that’s not healing the gut. On the contrary. It’s avoiding the problem and further depleting a diverse beneficial microbiome - precisely the one that everyone needs to reap immunity *gold*, SCFAs. Many food intolerances stem from an unbalanced gut flora/digestive issues/enzymes/liver issues, etc etc etc. Bloating is a sign of constipation/SIBO/slow motility; Allergy symptoms are also different from intolerance; If you find that anti-histamins help your bladder, follow a low-histamine diet, temporarily, while you recover your gut (because histamine issues, unless its an actual food allergy (like peanuts, common) - stem from...an unbalanced gut). With loose stools, diarrhea, etc - the idea isn’t to get rid of plants/fiber (vegetables, beans, etc) out for good. The idea is to temporarily reduce it, yes, but over the months and as the gut recolonizes, to gradually increase the amount of vegetables, legumes, herbs, and fruits. Cooked at first, raw after some balance is restored. Same goes with constipation, actually. Add fiber (aka plants) slowly, to avoid getting worse. Saccharomyces Boulardii is a lifesaver, I got plenty of support with it in the beggining (it reduces e.coli colonies in the gut, and yeast, also). But with time, months, I finally got there, without the Sacc. I still have some flares (way less/less violent), but I persist with the right foods. It took me around 4 months just to be able to add anything raw to a plate. Let alone a big salad with lentils! But I got there. And no more bloating. It's gone.

HOWEVER an individual assessment should be done: you can harm yourself thinking you're doing good. For example, by taking probiotics with SIBO - unless they're Spore based probiotics such as Megasporebiotic or Just Thrive. Or if you have any other number of digestive issues mentioned previously, or any other. In fact, on the subject of general probiotics (lactobacillus/bifidum), many gut-focused investigators conducting huge trials and world renowned gastroenterologists who are directly involved with these, and the latest microbiome findings, will not advise you on probiotics mindlessly (lactobacillus and bifidum bacteria). They will focus on *your* microbiome and how *your* unique gut map can be improved. A large study, conducted on humans, sort of recently, concluded that probiotic intake (of lactobacillus and bifidum bacteria) after antibiotics slowed down/ partially impared their gut recovery. oopsy. Probiotic supplement industry didn't like this. But I digress. And if they help you, great!

All this to say: there is no black and white answer to gut healing. It is an individual path. None of this is going to be explained by the urologist or GP. But at the end of the day, gut health and diet has a direct impact on any health issue. I won't stop eating healthy daily because I no longer have infections, the same way I wouldn't (and didn't) stop eating healthy because my bladder problems weren't improving. I do it because it is my responsability to provide the very basic foundation my body needs if it wants to fight anything and prevent further issues. And there is no supplement for this. It's a daily choice between inflammatory fuel, or anti-inflammatory fuel. Feed the pathogens, or feed beneficial microorganisms and diversity and let them "take care of me". Even my period pains reduced - and I am still healing from years of antibiotic damage, in my case.

There’s a lot to learn and explore. Try to do it from good sources and with the help of an actual and good professional with an actual degree(s)... No fad diets, gut healing myths, crazy paleo-keto-whatever diet someone vows for in a random Ig page or websites.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

13. NINE MONTHS

❦ I have reached the 9th month mark and my bladder is ok. I’m back to taking about 60% of the supplements and herbs I was consuming prior and after fulguration (although I switched some) after ~ 3 weeks break. I still take them, and will for a long time, as I don’t trust this to be over until 1 year after my last infection, which means Christmas. Some of them are antibacterial but also anti viral, and since I am fighting high risk HPV, all the better. I owe myself this effort so I can feel like I’ve done *everything* I could, if I eventually do have an infection in the future /next months. Which honestly I really hope I don’t. 11 years is enough. If intercourse or anything remotely related to that subject triggers you (and I understand as I’ve been there), please skip the next slide/paragraph.

In terms of post coital care, besides my daily herbs (in all their shapes and forms) and supplements, I rely on powdered dmannose (a lot of it, for 48h) and so far I actually think that for a couple of times, at least, if it weren’t for it, I would have had an infection. I felt a slight pressure and irritation when peeing a few hours after, and for a few hours. You know when you’re simply walking and the bottom part of the bladder almost tickles? Or makes you want to go pee even though you just did? And the general awareness feel. And then it goes away, insisting with the dmannose. So I think now it’s actually doing something for me (one of my bugs is e.coli). Unfortunately my cervix still hurts if pushed - and this will only stop once I beat HPV/the chronic cervicitis starts to calm down. So, it’s been a mixed feeling, as if I’m now able to have intercourse “freely” like a normal person (I still don’t have words for this) but at the same time now it’s a painful experience if I’m not super careful, keep it short and especially, slow, not that frequent and no deep penetration. Sorry if TMI, but this is the real side of these things.

On the bladder front I’m clearly working on prevention now, but I’m slowing shifting some of the things I’m taking towards anti viral action due to 3 high risk HPV strains and cervical lesions. And if this brings any sort of comfort to anyone (and being sarcastic): if I wanted to rely on conventional therapies for this, I wouldn’t get any support - I got as many answers for HPV /chronic cervicitis as I had for my bladder for 11 years. Worse actually, as for HPV there are no prescription pills even. “Because there’s no cure”. They prefer to wait and then cut a piece of your cervix out if your body doesn’t clear the lesions all by itself and they progress.. (and still this guarantees nothing). But there is always support! So, it’s not just urologists, for sure.

As for gut it’s still an ongoing project but better. When I went on vacations I did my best to keep eating the right stuff for me - with a couple of exceptions. I’m no monk. But it didn’t matter, just after 24h out of my kitchen, my gut got rebellious. Took me 1,5 months to get it back to shape (and I was only abroad for a week). Things are sensitive after 11 years of antibiotics. And as I’ve always said here, probiotics are far from the holy grail answer to healing the digestive system (plus, I don’t tolerate them, just the spore based ones). I will be doing a full gut test analysis just to rule out a few issues and as for the rest I’m doing what I did with my bladder: tons of specific herbs, a ton of bitters, plant extracts too, etc etc - and of course the right food for me. That’s the very basic foundation actually. Sometimes my gut flares horribly with the most ridiculous thing like white beans but not brown or black, so who knows what happens there. I’ll be patient and I have to recognize it will take a lot to go over issues induced 11 years of antibiotics including too many cephalosporins in the past. No more gut bleeding for many months now, which is amazing.

Trying to keep this sort of short (although it’s not). I’ll write the next update probably when I hit one year post op. A huge hug to everyone who struggles. Recurrent or chronic.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

12. SIX MONTHS

❦ I took a break from this page, as I was needing to regroup and focus on other issues as well on work, as these last few months have been incredibly busy and demanding.

I’ll try to keep things “on schedule” and copy paste my writings when I was getting to the 6month mark, although technically as I’m publishing this I’m fast approaching the 7th month. Head to the very end of the post for a quick bladder update only.

“It’s always tempting to write quick short posts, as they’re everyone’s favorite to read (for me too) but with any health issue that’s been going on for over a decade and especially when treatments left consequences it’s extremely hard to get them addressed at once and do a true “victory” post in just a couple of months. If only it was that easy! It’s like pealing an onion, but only backwards in this case: building layers of what went missing.

Over a decade of frequent antibiotics, infections, and very probably what I’m now finding out, a possible genetic deficiency, that can very well be one big culprit implicated in my rUTIs, culminated with:

• Wrecked gut health - addressing it; FMT if all fails/to complement. Have to win the lottery first, though. (Kidding but not kidding). Gut healing is extremely complex and throwing probiotics isn’t a cure. Also, I (still) can’t tolerate them. More on that for future posts.

• Absolute iron deficiency - only being able to tackle it now as in the past feeding bacteria with iron would make me have either a fungal or a bacterial bladder infection really fast. Even this isn’t being a linear path, and there are ups and downs.

• High risk HPV and chronic cervicitis - I have 3 high risk HPV bugs, history of cervical cancer (resulted in death) in direct family, with LSIL/CIN1 lesions. Chronic Cervicitis meaning my cervix is permantly inflamed causing dyspareunia (something I’ve never dealt with all my life).

• Painful period cramps and mastalgia - suspected endo/ possible hormone unbalance: addressing it and I’m 40-50% better; again, not linear, not fast, and definitly not new (it's been a while I've been doing the natural route on this topic, as the pill is off limits for me and never did anything but supress symptoms).

• Tinnitus, for a year, and total lack of earwax which culminated this year with a 3week crisis of Vertigo/BPPV, left me housebound for 2weeks. Tinnitus still ongoing but better; the rest: addressed.

• An altered immune marker /potential genetic deficiency, and not a "consequence", but still to be further investigated.

So, fun. But what I’ve found, with time, as I’m addressing all these things - some of them for a good while now - is that shamming, especially online, is real. And the worst part is that we tend to either acept it or give ourselves some pretty harsh self-criticism!.. Everyone believes a certain treatment for something is the best way and the next thing isn’t worth it. If there’s something I’ve learned in over a decade is that the best way is to incorporate knowledge from everywhere. It’s far too easy for some to look at this and say “hey you just need to control stress, eat very healthy and all the anti inflammatory foods and do a liver detox and take (insert whatever natural protocol) and your body will reborn like a Phoenix from the western medicine ashes”. Let me tell you it doesn’t work this easily for everyone. However, at the same time, they’re absolutely right, as all these things have to be done in order to rebalance/fight whatever it’s going on - no doubt. But it’s just not that fast, not that easy, not linear and it takes a lot of mental and routine commitments - AND - there isn’t “one way fits all”. As a Mediterranean diet follower if something I’ve done all my life was eating quite well. In fact, maybe that’s what kept me going despite multiple infections and problems for so long. I love nature, herbals, studying botanicals, incorporating them; I’ve tackled stress in a different way and did several lifestyle changes, and yes !! I’ve seen results. But I’m not born from the ashes still, for sure. No one knows everything. We all have these friends who can have sex all the time and eat horribly and don’t even know what’s like to feel sick or when was the last time they even went to the doctor. So the “why me, what have I done wrong” is a guilt response, one that doesn’t help us process things in a healthy way, and sometimes, the true answer is: nothing. Replacing these thoughts with: “there is always room for improvement and I’ll be working on several levels to try to bring my body back to balance/fight ___ with a stronger foundation” is much more helpful. It’s an up and down journey, for sure. :)

Having that said, how’s my bladder? Fine! I haven’t had an infection in 4 months, and no antibiotics, which is amazing, although pretty much avoiding a real trigger: sex. So, still no victory laps / fulguration "definite outcome" for me. From now on I’ll be resuming ‘sexy activities’ after a 9 month break (!..) but I’m feeling petrified still - my hands start sweating and I have these internal panic attacks just thinking about it. Ill do it only when I feel comfortable and ready and I’ll start really slow and gentle and just take PACs and Dmannose after and see how it goes.”

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

11. FIVE MONTHS

❦ So it’s been 5 months now. My bladder has been behaving, apart from a couple of days I had shedding and lingering irritation/urgency after a trip where I wasn’t able to drink my usual amount of water. However I’ve been dealing with side issues that I have been sharing here and there in Ig stories*, and I’m not feeling well looking at screens/writing as for now. I hope I can make a decent update with more info in 30 days. * last year after a horrible skin reaction due to abx I was forced to take prednisone. More infections came (as expected) and even more antibiotics. Developed tinnitus which became permanent and as time went by pressure inside my ears increased. Now it escalated to Vertigo / meniere's. Currently I can’t stand straight, have severe nausea and dizziness but am already under medication. But it’s hard to focus on screens or even look down at the phone, I want to puke. I was also diagnosed with high risk HPV this month. So it’s a bit too much for me right now, although I’m taking care of it too. Thank you for your support , no need for anyone to worry, I’ll get better.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

YEAST

❦

DISCLAMER: consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. The information I'm sharing is what I did to sucessfuly erradicate my Candida health problem, doesn't mean it will work for anyone else and shouldn't be taken as a medical or health advice of any sort. This blog is for entertainment purposes only, so I am simply sharing what I did that worked for me, in the spirits of hopefully inspire people to find help for this problem if they suffer from it.

I had recurrent vaginal Candida. No wonder, a decade+ of infections, a period of chronic symptoms, and loads of antibiotic use... Sometimes I’d go for a good while without symptoms, other times it would be non-stop every month, or every 15 days...Until one day, and despite not having any vaginal symptoms whatsoever, and on a longer course of antibiotics…it did end up in my bladder. I had no idea of what was going on, thought it was bacterial and not responding to antibiotics for months - I had a year of pure hell, bladder wise. I must add that, honestly, with time, most of the times I had Candida, I didn't have all of the typical symptoms. Sometimes I'd have little to almost no symtoms, others, no vaginal symptoms at all - but my bladder would signal it, and it's similar to a UTI, in varying degrees, minus the burning at the end of the wee, for me.

It took me quite a long time and research and being open to new stuff to effectively get rid of it and its recurrences, and I was forced to do a 180º turn when it comes vaginal health – and gut health, because it’s all related. I used to treat it with creams alone but ended up in a vicious (and dangerous) path of recurrence, needing creams all the time, and taking Fluconazole like its candy it's definitely not the way to go. Like antibiotics, the more you take it the more depleted you'll be of good yeasts (that help fight it) and the more open to resistance you'll be left (01).

Having this said, if you see yourself in a similar situation, I encourage anyone to go do a vaginal swab as soon as you can, because it can be yeast or BV, or something else! And if it is yeast, it’s important to know which yeast specifically. I'll just say Fluconazole doesn't treat every yeast out there, and you can have C. Albicans, but it can be C. Glabrata, or any other. Self-medication can be dangerous with these things and so I really urge anyone to go check that as fast as possible. Don’t let problems down there fester for long because sooner or later it can all end up in the bladder… IF it was yeast: The gyno would either give me either an appropriate cream and/or an appropriate antifungal, and with plenty of recurrences I'd be put on longer doses, but I'm aware that this approach wasn't curing the root cause of the problem nor avoiding it’s recurrence… (as we’ve all seen that’s what happens to our bacteria in the bladder…) and that was the only thing I did, so I was open to more problems and the vicious cycle continued and dependence on these creams/pills is horrible. As we all know, antibiotic overuse makes our vaginal flora go wild and depleted of good bugs, and these things happen: yeast, bacteria and or even virus have a free pass to grow (HPV in my case) because defenses are completely shut down. And then whatever overgrows here, can go to our bladders. Those 2 holes work in synchronicity (actually, the 3rd one also does…the gut). So it’s important to not only kill what’s down there causing havoc, but also give back, nurture it with what’s missing. To understand this and a lot more, I REALLY encourage anyone to listen and follow this brilliant doctor (women’s health advocate): 1st - “Vaginal Ecology: How to Keep Things Healthy Down There” --Read: https://avivaromm.com/vaginal-ecology-down-there/ --Spotify (same): Episode 64 – Natural MD Radio (it’s her podcast). 2nd - “Preventing & Treating Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Naturally” -- Read: https://avivaromm.com/prevent-treat-bacterial-vaginosis/ -- Spotify: Episode 70 – “Bacterial Vaginosis: What’s a gal to do?” – Natural MD Radio There are others on Cervical Health, hormones, HPV and more, but for yeast/BV related info, these 2 are a must just to start. On both of those she shares protocols of what to do, take, supplement and insert. I listened to both regardless of what I had (BV/yeast) because found important to learn to notice the differences and understand my body. What I did/do to (successfully!) prevent yeast from causing me problems is grounded on her Vaginal Ecology protocol, although not only, as you will be able to tell if you consult the links I've shared: • Not being afraid of adding a probiotic enriched natural yogurt locally and internally at night when things were particularly itchy, and use it for days (it helps “kill” whilst “giving back”); Some anti-fungal creams come with applicators - saved those, disinfected them properly, and used them with the yogurt. Used old panties at night :p I just did this in the beggining of my "kick-candida-out-journey". • Banished sugar 100%. For 6 months at least after the last recurrence (as strongly adviced). No, not even that small piece of cake in a b-day party or whatever. No, not that small cookie. No, no cereals with sugar – whatsoever. Zero!! I found this to be FUNDAMENTAL if not the most important thing of this list - to not ever feed it’s growth in the first place/help meds work faster. Sugar is food for them. (And for bacteria too, even if we don't feel any differences, bladder wise). Starved them! Cutted down also on particularly sugary fruits and was careful with too many carbohydrates, the digestive system breaks down the digestible ones into sugar also. *gut applauses* • I take orally Optibac for Women with those 2 very important strains daily (that she mentions, not only her but other sources): Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. There’s also Fem Dophilus for this and also RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic Supplement for Women. • I insert the Optibac ones

(vagina), with only these 2 strains in particular. I used them once a week but it was too much for me*, so I now use them once a month only. With time, in my country, I found an over the counter one with these 2 strains specifically, to be used internally - but for quite some time I used just the Optibac ones internally, had no problem. • Kept them on rotation with another amazing strain, for internal use only, L. Crispatus, as she mentions (not only her but many other sources). This is actually a very important strain, for many things vaginally. I use Physioflor. (example, once a month: Friday: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. Saturday: L. Crispatus) *NOTE: the overuse of vaginal probiotics can develop cytolytic vaginosis (aka too many lactobacilli). I do this only once a month, learned from trial and error, but found these probiotics to be very helpful for me. Read the disclamer of this post. • Kept the PH of the vagina consistently low: daily. I don’t use boric acid, I find it violent - less alone on a daily basis; If you can tolerate it, great! It can be very useful for C. Glabrata (02). I personally use Lactic Acid almost daily now (the acid Lactobacillus produce anyway, so it’s a natural acid already present on our vagina (03)); I’m currently using Papilocare that has it, but that’s because I’m fighting HPV since last year, otherwise it’s a generic one with lactic acid only over the counter. • I ate Garlic - around 4 to 6 cloves, every day. Didn’t rely on supplements alone. Got creative, ate them always after/with a meal, but just found ways to eat them. Took a good garlic supplement anyway for a boost (Allimax Pro). What I'm looking after here, is the Allicin in garlic (04). • I took Caprylic Acid as supplement also (several brands do it) to help kill yeast at the source of the problem also (gut). Caprylic Acid is found in coconut oil and is a natural antifungal/antimicrobial. I also used pure organic coconut oil as a cream just outside when things got itchy during the day. Although they weren't itchy all the times I had candida, for sure. • Bio-Kult Candea is well known for this; it has Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN54, which it’s different from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 (the most researched). I took it for little time as I unfortunately can't tolerate the other (any) lactobacillus mixes of probiotic supplements. • Now - Candida Support – with herbs that help kill it/degrade it’s population, over time, in the gut also. A definite helper!

• Tea Tree suppositories: Helps kill harmful bacteria/fungi; Used it here and there and then continued with the low Ph stuff daily + the other probiotics; I come back to these once in a while. • Ate a bunch of parsley every day – antimicrobial (even for the bladder). Came up with a daily GREEN smoothie that I like – low on very sugary fruits – and chop a cup of parsley and add it to the mix. It’s also good for the bladder as it’s an antimicrobial “wash” of sorts, I feel. • Payed attention to my menstrual cycle and noted any changes for the better or worse during the month (this alone would be another subject !). • Last but not least, got aware of any potential supplements I was taking that were a yeast trigger. For me, it’s clearly iron and other minerals. Pathogenic bacteria/fungi compete with the host for iron, and in my case (not everyone though, surely) it was a big big trigger for bladder fungal infections, specifically. __________________________________________________ Of Note: Every time I would feel sugar cravings, it’s the fungi/bacteria asking for food, making the host crave those (me). They’re literally trying to survive. It’s actually well-known now by gastroenterologists that sugar cravings are a form of dysbiosis (gut imbalance). In those moments, I give them the precise opposite of what they are asking, by eating LOADS of greens. Good green smoothies with celery, that parsley, etc. With time – months – the cravings went away. I eat loads of greens every day, and if not, I always find time to do that green smoothie (every week at the grocery I buy the things I need for making them during the week, it’s a habit now and I actually love them now!). Doing my own research while looking for products I found great suppositories /more good stuff, but this would turn to be too lengthy and overwhelming. And what I shared is the bulk of it. Gut health was key. This took me time but granted lasting success so far!! And it’s what I do now, and I will continue to do until I’m at least 6 months free of any antibiotic. I just hope one day I can share my sucess story regarding the bladder... So, if you're reading this and can somehow relate, know that there is hope, but go get a vaginal swab for starters! And a fungal urine culture ON TOP when it comes to UTI bladder symptoms, don't ever rule out yeast as a small thing, even when the vaginal swab comes clear (mine did at some point and I had it in my bladder!). But be ware these can come up as negative or mixed flora on regular cultures.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿 (01) https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/antifungal-resistance.html (02) https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/boric-acid-for-yeast-infection#other-treatment-options (03) https://bmcmicrobiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12866-019-1388-8 (04) https://www.healthline.com/health/garlic-for-yeast-infection#whatis-a-yeast-infection?

[theutiarchives]

10. FOUR MONTHS

This last month it feels like time has stopped. So slow... But my bladder has been ok. The good part: I am able to eat oranges and the occasional glass of wine, and I feel nothing in my bladder. Yay! The not so good part: I took one single probiotic (random mixes of lactobacillus) weeks ago, and my bladder instantly reacted - urgency and frequency. Weeing a few drops but feeling bladder fullness. Lingering irritation. Lasted 48h total...Just like before fulguration. Still haven’t tried sex and I still won’t do it for the next month, it’s a huge trigger and I’m in no condition whatsoever of having to take a single post coital antibiotic let alone risk an infection. I wish I felt confident I could do it and risk it, but I’m not there yet. I kept talking my teas and avoiding stress as much as possible (last post). And I’ve returned to my yoga practice. My gut was a disaster during Christmas and NYE, and not because I changed my diet but because I was still dealing with the consequences of the last antibiotic course I took back when I had an acute enterococcus UTI at week 5-6 post-fulguration. Blood in stools again, mucus, yellow greasy stools, and ofc, diarrhea. I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was to sleep. I’ve been better these last couple of weeks and so is my gut but I still have a long way to go. As I’ve tried to update in the Ig stories I’ve also been having consults, from internal medicine (with extensive stool tests and lab work) but I’m still waiting for results as some labs take weeks to process. The integrative gyno consult was amazing, and my vaginal flora was also tested extensively (also waiting for results). I went to my first TCM consult ever, and had the weirdest reaction to the first couple of needles that he put somewhere in my belly: my kidneys instantly hurt! So, so weird. Got this sharp pain and then a dull pain that lasted a couple of hours after the acupuncture session. Brought further bespoke herbals to take (gut+bladder). I’ll continue with the sessions and phytotherapy for 2 months. I have a gut-focused nutritionist next week. All of this combined is expensive, plus the supplements and herbs, etc. Maybe one day I’ll do a separate post on what I took/am taking and what I think worked or not. I’m keeping my mind open and I am very much willing to do everything in my power to help my bladder, gut, and reproductive health. I believe I have to tackle all 3 at the same time, because they’re all connected. Wish I could do a more in depth post about results etc., but this is all taking forever. I have to be patient. But I am however celebrating this post with an orange for desert, and I can’t tell you how much I missed oranges. So, “an orange to that”🥂.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

09. THREE MONTHS

❦

So, it’s been 3 months. Bladder wise, I am UTI free, only noticing before my period slight vaginal flora changes that give me some bladder discomfort - just like before fulguration. And that’s something I’ve been dealing with for a while, not new. I haven’t tried any of my previous bladder triggers: sex, alcohol, generic lactobacillus probiotic mixes, orange juice/vit C, wine, some B vitamins, iron & other minerals. So, the only UTI I had was at week 6, and after a diarrhea (something that would also give me a UTI in the past).

What has been considerably worse since my last UTI, is my gut. It’s a mess and I’m on the process of figuring out how to deal with it. I’ve been refused stool testing (including testing for C. Diff,). Random lactobacillus probiotic mixes are out of the question as they give me UTIs, besides horrible SIBO (which I never ever have otherwise), terrible brain fog (lactic acidosis), bloating, and even more gut problems. I’ve been taking spore based probiotics that I’ve been fine with and S.Boulardii, but that’s just been avoiding the diarrhea - my stools are still visibly mess. But I won’t go into detail about this because it might be TMI for some. Point being: it hasn’t been easy to tackle the gut and book specialist appointments (the ones that deal with this are so overbooked I’m being forced to wait for months). Gastroenterologists have been useless, did 2 colonoscopies (inconclusive) but still refuse stool tests and give me zero advice besides “do yoga” (which coincidently I already do), eat "healthy" (duh!) and take the probiotics I can’t take. I'll be testing for C.Diff soon, out of pocket. Yes, it’s maddening. Don’t understand why I have UTIs on random mixes of lactobacillus/bifidum bacteria probiotics - no doctor does. But apparently (except for those with SIBO/lactobacillus overgrowth) everyone is able to take them in this community. So don’t worry about probiotics making your bladder worse, it seems to be something very particular to my situation. Spore based ones are 100% ok for me and do their job. Just haven’t been enough. Diet hasn’t been enough. Miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, etc., bone broth, collagen.. I'll keep at them. Any ideas? Shoot, I've been researching alone for a long time, but I'm all ears. My hair is falling for 7months now. Iron is low. Can’t risk taking it because in the past I’ve always had (raging!) bladder (fungal) infections on them*. (*If you didn’t know: Iron feeds bacteria, if you have them even embedded, etc. They compete with the host for iron).

Next steps: 4th January - new internist (and insist on comprehensive stool tests, if not, will pay out of pocket) 19th January - Integrative gyno (See how my HPV is, tackle vaginal flora, periods, discuss pregnancy options/prices if I still can’t have sex - I’m 36); 10th February - Gut focused nutritionist, that works with stool tests. After March: as soon as an opening comes (THAT overbooked), functional medicine doctor.

So.. bladder wise I’m ok - but so have I been in the past if I had no sex and kept avoiding all bladder irritants, and drank my teas. And I’ll have to keep doing that (and living like a nun) because I’m in no condition whatsoever of risking a UTI and having to take more antibiotics.

I wish everyone Health for 2022. That’s all. Truly, with all my heart. (as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

08. TWO MONTHS

❦

So, 8 weeks have passed since fulguration. As I was warned, and as I wrote in the previous post, I could have a couple of UTIs during the healing period - not to freak out about them. However, having an acute UTI for me is precisely the sort of thing that will always freak me out, they’re my problem after all, and not only the infection itself, but the cascade of side effects I get from antibiotics now, and the exhaustion I feel for a couple weeks after them (at least). For more details, see post 02. I’ll mention my “expectations” regarding fulguration at the end of the post!

I had an acute UTI during week 6 (1,5months). So, instead of a huge text post, I prefer visuals - hopefully it will give you a more concise picture of how things went. I’ll let you be the judge of what might have triggered the acute UTI I ended up having:

Bam. Post diarrhea UTIs are now a staple for me (hello IBS induced by too many antibiotics). I felt so so stupid for not having taken S.Boulardii more rigorously for the previous weeks...Was it the sugar that led to a vaginal change, again, as in the past? (Haven’t eaten any sugar in almost 6months). Was it the stressful day on top of the sugar intake previously? Was it the sugar that rushed the dysbiosis and ended up in a diarrhea 6 days later? The perfect storm: stress, sugar and diarrhea, on top of apainful bladder after the scab came off? What I do know is: I tend to have UTIs after diarrhea. So I should have known better, and try to prevent them more actively.

It was a mess: couldn’t culture, was out of town (precisely! they always choose the perfect days to come!) although I did my best to try and get a culture before starting antibiotics. Felt horrible, on top of a recently fulgurated bladder. Cried. I cried afraid fulguration didn’t help at all, despite me trying to keep my expectations neutral so far and not think about it too much; I cried because I was already bloating by the hour again on antibiotics, my energy was going down, fatigue settled, and the symptoms didn’t improve much even on antibiotics - until I managed to switch antibiotics - I very very probably had enterococcus faecalis as I always do after diarrhea. My gut was a mess, had blood in the stools again after the last few months being ok; had it continued and I would have been to the ER, although I know it’s not C.Diff, but inflamed gut mucosa. Ate plain boiled rice for days. Started, obviously, max dose of S. Boulardii and even now I'm still taking 1 every day. Then period came and this time my cramps were super painful - I didn’t find it odd at all considering everything. But because of my gut I don’t take any ibuprofen or similar, so I had to endure them. By the 5th day, last day of my period I was so dizzy. Honestly the entire week and a half was a nightmare and I was home alone precisely that week - which ended up being the best thing because this way no one saw how I looked. BUT with the same emphasis, I can now say I am very happy it all subsided. And my bladder for the first time since the procedure feels like nothing happened in there. Zero soreness near the 8th week mark/2 months! *fingers crossed*

Went to another urologist and gastro doc, to no real benefit at all. Have a functional nutritionist booked and an Integrative Gyno (both only in January) and still on the waiting list to a funcional medicine doc late April next year. Every other doctor so far, (conventional) didn’t help at all when it comes to my gut and honestly urologists didn’t either. I still rely on my internist doctor who is the one who does prescribe me 8day courses of the abx I respond best to, and actually believes what I say I feel. Which is a rarity when it comes to being heard about anything down there (sorry if any doctor reads this, but it is my experience). So, I’m keeping up with my usual care, now doubled when it comes to gut - no diarrhea, that’s “guaranteed”. And added a few more things to my “regimen”. Hope I can say next month: no UTIs!

Finally, I feel I need to write this. It’s about Expectations: For many with an embedded/chronic infection and 24/7 symptoms, talking about “success” with fulguration means : the stopping of the constant symptoms. In conjunction or not with continuous antibiotic therapy. And then managing to avoid UTIs by continuing to take post coital antibiotics (for example) for some time at least, or Hiprex for those who tolerate it ; Or nothing! And although I’ve been there, with symptoms 24/7 (post 02.), I can’t do antibiotics like that anymore. I can’t do any of that, hence fulguration (Post 03). My gut is very damaged, plus I do have permanent side effects - It’s been 11years after all. For me, success with fulguration will have to mean less acute/recurrent UTIs, so I can avoid antibiotics as if they’re the plague (because they are to me now) especially after intercourse, but not only. Already 10 years of intimate life were ruined. I’ll maybe write a post about that one day even - the perverse side of rUTIs.

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

07. ONE MONTH

❦

Fastest post ever: I'm doing OK!

Continuing to take the best care possible on a daily basis, and trying (to my best ability) to avoid an acute UTI. Looking back now the worst/more sore period was definitely the 1st week post op; although very much still sensitive during the 2nd week; bladder soreness and occasional pinching went down significantly during the 3rd week, but basically uti-symptoms free. I did not have the shedding or discomfort that is normal to occur during weeks 3 or 4. I was also told this was a possibility - to feel normal. It was my case. However I know I’ve got a long long period of recovery still ahead, and things can change at any month - Although I’m really hoping I remain stable.

My gut only started to calm down week 3 after the procedure (antibiotics) and with a lot of work on my part. Tinnitus is pretty much the same (not great) and the odd bump below one knee I mentioned last post, that came out of nowhere the next day after the procedure, is still here and hurting. Bladder wise, I am 100% symptoms free, like nothing happened - clear urine. Ok, occasionally I’ll see this ridiculous little white bits of skin but really small and I feel nothing. But for example, I don’t use tampons anymore (they’re not uti-friendly) but I do use vaginal probiotics, and when inserting those (sorry TMI), I can clearly feel the bladder: it gets physically uncomfortable/sore. Even the urethra! So, many months of recovery for sure. I’ll do an update by the end of the 2nd month!

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

06. TWO WEEKS

❦ Here I am, 2 weeks later :) If you’re not in the mood to read a long post but still want to get an idea, literally read the highlighted parts only!

I'll advise anyone to see the fulguration video to get a better picture of what was found - not sure I can post it here, it's a bit graphic, so I uploaded to Ig @ "the_uti_archives". But overall, I had leukoplakia, calcifications, a weird looking 'pocket' of some sort of infected tissue, and glomerulations. It’s been 2 weeks since I had fulguration, and overall, so far so good.

But here's a more detailed version of how things went: • First 2 nights my bladder physically hurt. Nothing unbearable, but enough not to let me fall asleep easily or I'd wake up when changing position; • For the first 5 days, I had strong kidney pains. Nothing new to me, so I wasn’t “scared”. During the day they were manageable, but at night were much worse, and the main culprit for not letting me fall sleep/sleep well. They gradually subsided, and I was back to normal after. • I had and still have increased frequency, that got a little worse, specially during the first week. I do drink 2L/day and of course that justifies some of it. I have Frequency, but not Urgency. Before fulguration I’d usually go about 15x/day to the toilet (for the past few years). I slowly got used to it, even without active flares. Now it’s just a few times more. I don’t usually wake up at night though, and the first week I had several nights waking up at least once to go to the toilet - by the 2nd week I was ok at night. But I feel confident that it will slowly subside too, in fact I think I am already better.

• Things are sore down there, bladder wise, so it's only natural to feel uncomfortable if I try to walk normally and move around much. I practice yoga, for example, but I'm not getting near the mat anytime soon, as I can feel that the bladder doesn't like to be "shaken around" now. In fact, for the first week I'd walk really slowly, avoiding "hitting" the floor with my feet (hard to articulate in a second language!). It's normal, and I know this will pass, and in fact, by day 10 after the procedure, I was less sore and able to do groceries (like an old lady though!) • Peeing was more uncomfortable in the first week than the second, as things felt more "raw". Although there are definitely times when things feel stingy/raw even now! But for me, as I didn't go with an active infection, it's way more manageable than a UTI. And as soon as I finish, the bladder is 100% comfortable. No lingering symptoms whatsoever (ok, just the overall soreness, but that's nothing). • I rested, A LOT. Took a week off work after coming from Turkey and I'm very glad I did it (these 2 weeks were literally all the vacation time I had this year, yay!). These were the main things I felt during the first 2 weeks that are directly related to the bladder/urinary system alone. No need to read more if anyone with recurrent UTI's sees this in the future and is looking for examples of progression of weekly symptoms (note this is my personal experience and things can be wildly different for everyone, especially for those who undergo fulguration with active symptoms).

However, I come with a heavy baggage when it comes to antibiotics and gut issues - and not only (post 02). And of course a week's worth of them after the procedure left my gut in a very messy state. Besides the gut, my tinnitus skyrocketed (as expected) and then I had a few more odd symptoms, that so far I don't know anyone else who had them post-op: what it looked like sore glands or lymph nodes in particular points in my jaw that lasted for a few days (gone, I'm Ok), lungs/rib cage hurting around day 5 for a few hours (probably anesthesia? Gone, I'm Ok), and the weirdest: some sort of structural change in a bone below my knee! Looks like the bone grew a "pea" - a painful hard bump. Inflammation is real people, the body always finds a way to unload some of it somewhere and get you even more problems. I'm tired of doctors, so I'm just giving myself time to see if this subsides or if it is weirdly connected to some very specific hip joint pain I've had for almost a year now, that curiously also gets way worse around infections (=inflammatory states). You do learn to be suspicious and on the lookout after a few years with any chronic problem.

Anyway... Bloated to the moon and back and unable to take probiotic supplements (the "why" is on post 03.) was definitively the worst collateral damage. Going to the toilet hasn't been pleasant, especially the first week. But I was mentally prepared for this, and I think all the right food and all the preparation I did months before fulguration paid off, because I've had much worse IBS crisis in the past. And my gut didn't bleed this time, yay! The only probiotic supplements I can tolerate now are Optibac for Women with just those 2 (very important) strains. And also, my dear good yeast-friend, Saccharomyces Boulardii (no diarrhea, and helps e.coli numbers down in the gut). No yogurt with added probiotics or Kefir either. Only naturally fermented foods like pickles, miso, etc. Which is good, but very little in comparison to what I needed. I'll have to give it a few good months to see if I can try to incorporate them slowly, and iron too, that I am so desperately needing, and see if they don't cause me neither a bacterial or a fungal infection anymore (post 03).

I am however, and also as usual, a bit tired and lacking energy and focus after a course of antibiotics, and this was only a weeks worth of them. I know if I have an acute UTI anytime soon and have to repeat them, I'll be "on the floor". A few rough weeks ahead are expected, and I was warned, they're part of the healing. But I am doing everything in my power to keep acute UTIs at bay - although they can happen in this period and I won't let them bring me down. But I'm doing my personal protocol and trying hard to avoid them. Not sure if this was a very inspirational post but I'm a bit tired like I said and even more now with work on top of the healing, but what's important is that I'm overall ok and things are going well so far. Hopefully, I'll be able to do a quick post on the 1 month mark and still be UTI-free. We'll see! (as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

05. SCHEDULE, COSTS, ACCOMMODATION

❦

I won’t focus much about my personal experience although some parts are inevitable - I think that deserves a separate post, where I’ll be also stressing how important it is to keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different. For now I’ll just leave information that might be of use, and 2 topics that I got most asked about, besides Schedule aspects: Costs and Accommodation.

SCHEDULE:

3 Oct 2021: Arrival at 18:00h. Hotel.

4 Oct 2021: Pre op exams day and meeting with Dr. Sevinç - Liv Hospital, Istanbul.

8:30am @ Hospital Liv to do a PCR test, take blood samples, quick chest x-ray (anesthesia purposes) and consult with Dr. Sevinç; Did a bladder ultrasound with him. Results were ok, he found nothing abnormal (as I expected from my previous ultrasounds). A translator was with me the entire time except when I was having the consult with the doctor. Also, payment is done upfront and I filled some forms and signed the hospital papers. Your medical history is collected, naturally, and you’re asked about any medication you’re currently taking, allergies, etc. I left the hospital around 10:00am. Did some sightseeing in the afternoon. Made sure to get to bed very early and get solid hours of sleep before the procedure day. I’ll actually advice anyone to do the same, if you manage to, of course, because sleeping well before a procedure is beneficial. I was also not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight.

5 Oct 2021: Procedure day.

Woke up at 4:30am and was at the hospital by 6:00am. No food/drinks. The translator was missing but they have others permanently at the hospital and google translator was enough until the another translator stepped in, later in the day. Was taken into my room, given the most fashionable anti embolism socks and clothes (not) :) My blood pressure was taken several times, answered more questions, and followed other completely normal pre op protocols.

By 8:00am I was taken to the operation room and the next thing I remember is waking up - about 40 minutes later - in my room and feeling very cold (normal). As the anesthesia grogginess disappeared I was feeling ok, already had the catheter but felt no discomfort whatsoever; nurses frequently visited and I started IV medication (3 big bags of fluids, a painkiller, and what I think 2 rounds of IV antibiotic that day). Don’t ask me which because it’s an IV one they give you post-op only and then you’re done with it. I was able to eat lunch, and Dr. Sevinç came around to check how I was feeling and explain what he saw and did. Again, I will leave that information for later, as I want this post to be just about potentially useful information to others. Your results will naturally be different than mine and there’s actually a lot to say about that.

I spent the rest of the day resting, ordered extra bottles of water on top of IV fluids and the urine quickly turned from bloody/orange to clear. Water is mostly alkaline in Istanbul so this was great for me. Dr. Sevinç came a second time, later in the day; I got a bag full of medicine to bring home. Whoever you decide to bring with you will be able to sleep in the same room and the hospital stay covers meals for both. No sugar (of course) for who had the procedure. Nurses would come regularly to check my IV, empty the urine bag and see if I’m ok. Amazing staff and hospital accommodations.

6 Oct 2021:

Didn’t sleep more than 5hours; Early breakfasts. Dr. Sevinç came and explained everything about the medicine I’d be bringing home though you’ll have that written too. Any adjustments to your particular case, for example specific antibiotics you are used to and/or respond best will be taken into account and given to you. It was time to remove the catheter and see how I was doing. I’ll just say at this point, that I was feeling ok, and that people who come to the procedure without horrible active symptoms/infections tend to stay that way, he said - and I am one of them.

[On a more personal note, I’ve seen some saying that people who don’t have 24/7 symptoms are “lucky”. I did a separate post about my history and not only I’ve already been there, but the last 11 years of my life have been everything but lucky when it comes to my bladder health and the impact it had in so many aspects of my life (post03). I wouldn’t be here if I got it easy, and please, downplaying other peoples symptoms is of no use nor beneficial for anyone. In fact, that’s what urologists did with me, and overall look where the continuous disregard brought us].

You’re advised to not go immediately to the toilet once the catheter is removed, because you’re empty once they remove it - it’s a false alarm. To wait around 30 to 45 minutes and then go. Not to push or make any effort, have patience, relax and take my time. I was still very much under painkiller effect and in my case it went smoothly, but that’s not how it goes for everyone. Of course there is pain and soreness and a “weight” feeling but nothing compared to an active UTI - again, this was my experience, I feel the need to stress this part.

I was asked to send a picture of my urine to Dr. Sevinç :) In my case, after many fluids and water bottles in 24h, urine was clear and he actually laughed at my “water game” and said it was his best toilet photo so far. I got discharged around 15:00pm, walking slowly and carefully and feeling a “numb soreness” despite the painkillers, but it’s to be expected. Went back to the hotel and decided to rest as much as possible.

7 Oct 2021: Spent the morning resting at the hotel, had lunch there and went to meet Dr.Sevinç @ hospital around 15:00pm. Post op consult went well, he is lovely and we came back to the hotel again.

8 Oct 2021: Flight back home. Toughest day on the bladder.

COSTS / ACCOMMODATION:

This will be highly personal and it really depends where you’re coming from (flights) and how much you’re willing to pay for accommodation - the main cost besides the procedure and flights.

Procedure: In October 2021, 3000€ with everything covered (hospital stay, exams,meals for me and who came with me, PCR test, etc).

Flights: Do your online search and do a simulation; I flew from Europe, with Turkish airlines. This will be a big factor on your budget in addition to accommodation.

Accommodation: Again, do your online search for hotels in Istanbul. Can’t say prices as these constantly change, like flights, but this will give you an idea. It’s important not to be outside a 15-20minute-by-car radius. Spot Liv Hospital Ulus in Istanbul on google maps. Set your destination to these 2 examples I’ll give (“Vital Hotel Fulya” 4 stars ; “Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus” 5 stars). See how these are distanced to the hospital by car, and don’t go beyond them on the map while looking for hotels. Memorize that “visual radius” and always simulate a car trip between your chosen hotel and Liv Hospital. Have in mind that Istanbul traffic is chaotic and slow, inside the city alone there are 15,5million people, let alone the ones who come to work every day. Hence it’s important to stay near and expect some delays according to traffic hours or accidents. Another aspect I’ll point out is to have in mind that Istanbul is a much cheaper city than most in Europe, and you want to be in a safe and decent/clean environment when you come back to the hospital. But, of course, adapt to your budget. You might be able to find cheaper hotels than those I gave as an example, although these 2 were already used by many who did the procedure in Istanbul. Do a simulation in the 4 star one I mentioned above for 5 nights and you’ll get a fair idea.

Other costs: For a 15-20 minute drive from the hotel to the hospital costs were 2 to 3 euros, by taxi. Meal prices will vary a lot depending where you go like anywhere in the world but I ate a complete, very good &healthy meal, while sightseeing the first day in a totally normal street restaurant, for 10 euros. You can go cheaper and still eat well, and of course go higher too. To give you an idea I saw diesel prices of 0,6cents/liter (do your math).

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

04. FINAL COUNTDOWN

❦

Oof. Busy brain this monday...! And I'm letting it flow. Guess it's part of the process... Today it hit me: In 5 days I'll be boarding into a plane and flying for hours to get to a hospital abroad. "- Wow, this is happening. I have to pack." It's been a wild time lately. I haven't been thinking about the procedure. For the last few months, and even more lately, I have been focused just on recovering my gut and overall health as much as possible (post fulguration antibiotics will already do enough mess). Not forgetting my bladder of course, and also keeping yeast at bay. I learned quite a lot, and now I am much more aware of what my body is telling me. I can now sense I won't be 100% Ok in 24h, if I so much crave a dessert. Amazingly, or not, it's my gut not 100% balanced. And I am able to reverse that now, and continue ok. But today I woke up to a rainy, foggy day, and while drinking my morning (bladder) tea, unconsciously, just started to have several life flashbacks. Moments where my bladder made my life slowly shift; How my relationships changed; Remembered exes'; A doctors genuine ´pity face´, when tears just silently started to fall down my quiet face in an exam room, the petrol station on fire I was feeling inside me, about to crack open; How I had resigned to be single for the rest of my life when I was 33y and the psychological toll that took on me; Listening to friends talking about their flirts and adventures on a friday night with a glass of wine, and I'd have to keep smiling, but feeling devastated inside, holding my alkaline water bottle, knowing years were going by and my bladder didn't let me live any of that in peace, or at all; How male coworkers found strange that I was always alone and had to comment... So many times I just wanted to scream "I can't have sex - ta-da! - now, how many of you would keep up with that? Any men here looking for a nun? Hm? Because that's all I have to give now, either celibacy or let "you" slowly kill me in the process - been there, thank you but no thank you". No one "normal" has to choose between intercourse or health. But if I had repeated UTIs from 25y onwards, several years into them, and with nothing working to avoid them, my body slowly forced me to choose just one. My bladder changed my life. It made me loose amazing opportunities that aren't coming back, throughout almost all of my best young years. But it made me shift my perspective on life, appreciate it even more, how beautiful it is even when you're not living how you thought you'd be. Corny? Truth! It has been a teacher of sorts. I built an internal resilience that is now precious for many other things. I got tougher, and I don't complain easily now. I became even more optimistic as a person in the face of "defeats" - funny isn't it? I don't give up (as) easily. The problem isn't solved. I don't tolerate post coital antibiotics; Dmannose and so many other things also don't avoid post-coital infections (post 03). Although I currently have a partner, dealing with this it's very tough - on me, and him. As anyone can imagine. I also have to avoid stress, so that I don't have non-stop UTIs, and being in a stressful profession... it's a puzzle, one I have learned to master, with time. It's been a hell of a ride, this last decade. And several past moments have resurfaced today, as if my subconscious is trying to re-arrange and pack the story so far, and accept and process the next step in this already long journey. I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm not giving up and will continue to relentlessly support my body in all the ways I can, before and post procedure. (as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

03. WHY FULGURATION

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I'm a bit hesitant in writing about this as it can be a controversial topic for some. I do not discourage nor endorse any treatment - how could I, I'm not a specialist - but I do think there definitly isn't one-approach fits all.

This is a long and over 10y+ process, so as you can imagine, no one jumps to this mindlessly. But if I had to say the number one reason why I chose fulguration at this point is: because I no longer tolerate a single antibiotic (literally). Period. Not prophylactically, and not after an infection, where I do have to take them, and even less long-term continuous therapy. Secondly, also haven’t been successful with other approaches, for these past few years, which I’ll might talk about one day.

(On Antibiotics) — The adverse effects of antibiotics are now such, that it takes me almost 2 months to get back to decent (not high!) levels of energy and focus to work, and to go to a toilet in relative peace. I will emphasize, though, that this was one of the pivotal moments for me: when I developed IBS symptoms and later started bleeding from my gut. When you look at your toilet and see blood like you're on your period, but it's coming from your insides, after taking so many antibiotics, you are forced to look to what are you doing to your body, because it's screaming back at you. And this wasn't the only side effect and I was eventually 'forbidden' by the gastroenterologist to take them - please read "02.My history".

(On probiotics) — And then "you must take probiotics". And I did. Result? I developed other digestive problems on top of IBS problems that fired through the roof. The fun part? Random probiotic mixes will make my bladder start to shed and end up in an acute UTI in no time. Yes, (most) probiotics now trigger me an acute UTI. Because my gut flora is now extremely poor, I have to cherry pick those I can take - and it's an almost impossible task. We all have very different bodies and reactions - and, possibly, "cures".

(Other intolerances) — I also don't tolerate: anything acidic, from oranges to wine; Buffered Vit C; B6; Iron; Other minerals in supplements. Acidic stuff will make me shed and lead to a UTI, just like probiotics; Iron and other Minerals give me a fungal infection in my bladder. I’m on the alkaline “team”. Also, I wasn't always like this, this started to happen after years and years of infections.

(On Alternative solutions) — On this topic, I did try and still do try lots of other things - but I'll leave that for another post (maybe, because it's exhausting). I will say, though, that it's been a while since I started to incorporate loads of things to avoid UTIs after sex, and none worked so far. None. Not to say there isn't more to try - because there is.

We are infinitely complex in our own bodies, with an extremely complex condition in it of itself - one that hasn't been taken seriously for decades, and it is on the rise, alongside with antibiotic resistance. We are all different, and so react differently, to everything, really.

I've had this for 10+ years so this is my choice, and hopefully you'll understand that this comes after many, many years trying several things and researching solutions, countless exams, doctors, and alternative treatments, with an inability to cope now with more antibiotics. My sex life was stolen from me and I can't have intercourse at this point. And I've already been "at this point" several times, my “best years” are mostly gone and unlived because of this. And I currently have a partner. There are several layers of impact this has on one's life. I will finally add that I'm not hoping for a miracle with fulguration, rather a possibly important step amongst others I'll do my best to take. I respect other peoples choices and I deeply empathize with this problem, I hope everyone finds their own way out of this miserable condition, chronic 24/7 pain, etc; information is power so keep sharing your best findings with everyone, including me, I'll only show gratitude! (as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me) Take care 🌿

[theutiarchives]

02. My story, summarized

❦

I'm not sure if I'll do a more in-depth post, this is the very quick version of almost 11 years of Recurrent Utis:

⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯

first UTI around 18years old

Out of nowhere. I wasn’t sexually active yet; Not on the pill;

2011-2015 (24-29 years old)

I entered a long term relationship; with regular intercourse, within the first month I had a UTI. They quickly escalated and after 4 years and 10-14 infections a year, it got to a point everything became physically and mentally unbearable. It ended.

2015-2017 (29-31 years old)

I was traumatized by sex. The relationship ended, I avoided intercourse, and the infections stopped for 1 year and 8 months;

2017-2019 (31-33 years old)

‎‎An UTI came out of nowhere in the summer of 2017; I had non-stop infections until January 2019; I did a 6 month prophylactic course of antibiotics; a vaccine; physical exams; dealt with a raging fungal infection that gave me uti symptoms 24/7, that went undiagnosed by the urologist; I was told it was psychological; Couldn’t sleep, took anxiety medication, got underweight, exhausted, hair thinned and started falling, my career suffered; In that time I was saved by my Gyno and all the symptoms went away in 48h with antifungals; After the 6months on abx, the UTIs continued; my kidneys started to hurt in 2018; overall exhaustion settled 24/7; started to have gut problems, with occasional bleeding. Raging UTIs by December 2018, with red dense blood coming out and what looked like blood drenched pieces of skin. Drove myself to the ER.

2019 January > October (33years old)

After the last UTI that took me to the ER I abandoned urologists and consulted a recommended Internist; She immediately switched my antibiotics, the infections stopped. I enjoyed a 9month Uti free period; Small kidney stones detected, 2-4mm, no treatment; Gut issues (some blood) would come and go, colonoscopy came clean but with small hemorrhoids (never had constipation nor pain).

2019 October + November (33years)

2 UTIs, one each month, simple multivitamin triggered

2020 April + May (34 years old)

One time intercourse = Uti. Alcohol = another UTI.

2020 June > December (34 years)

Entered a relationship, UTIs returned non stop; managed to be 60 days without a UTI; Pap smear came back with HPV; Chronic cervicitis; I developed IBS, with my gut bleeding around infections and after antibiotics; growing abdominal discomfort; SIBO problems when taking probiotics; developed a skin problem that got me on oral corticosteroids for 5 months; 9 infections in 8 months, with no-sex-after-infection intervals of 4 weeks. Exhaustion 24/7. Ended the year giving up on intercourse. Body began to collapse overall.

2021 (35 years old)

My body was still very much collapsing in the beginning of this year; still on oral corticosteroids that we’re giving me UTIs even without intercourse; developed persistent Tinnitus, 24/7; can’t tolerate post coital abx (disrupted gut +diarrhea +another UTI); Another colonoscopy: Gastro told me to avoid antibiotics at all costs, my gut continued to bleed after abx. Very changed stools; I managed to get rid of the oral corticosteroids myself, continued to do everything on my power to keep UTIs at bay, but I still had a some more. Last one was about 2 months ago.

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I’m giving my body the best rest and preparation in my power before undergoing Fulguration this October in Turkey, under Dr. Sevinç, Liv Hospital.

Please keep in mind this is a summarized version of 10+y of recurrent UTIs /chronic UTI, and there is a LOT of information I had to skip!

(as an European non-English native please feel free to correct me)

Take care 🌿