Hey Gordon, Knock on wood! It sounds like you might always run a higher-than-average risk for UTIs-sometimes being aware of that risk can decrease your risk, not only for UTIs, but also for upper urinary tract infections, and you don't want your kidneys involved! I hope by sharing, I can save you an infection or two.I've had so many UTIs, including pyelonephritis X3, that I'm now resistant to two out of the three most commonly used antibiotics for gram negative bacteria and my urologist warned me that I'd better learn to manage minor infections without using antibiotics. I didn't even know that I COULD manage minor infections on my own, but have learned to do so. For prevention, I acidify my urine by taking large doses of Vitamin C. I take 1000 mg daily and increase it to 2000 mg at the first sign of a potential UTI. I can buy urine test strips at the local dollar store. They come packaged with 2 strips that test for leukocytes and nitrites. If I'm positive for either, I immediately start hyper-acidifying by using a concentrated Vit C powder that contains 5000mg /teaspoon twice day. The powder, which I mix with juice, is incredibly sour, but worth it- it knocks the offending bacteria out. I haven't had a full-fledged UTI requiring antibiotics in at least 6 years. The large doses of vitamin C also help reduce the incidence of bladder and kidney stones. Vitamin C is water-soluble, so the excess is just eliminated via urine- no Vitamin toxicity. Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) is a different story altogether and requires immediate medical intervention. In my case, it started with a bladder infection that backed up to the kidneys because I have a lot of bladder spasticity. It occurred very quickly and the affects were systemic- low back pain, vomiting and diarrhea, (simultaneously!) high fever, chills, and body aches everywhere. I've responded well and quickly to one intramuscular injection of antibiotics, but most people require intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization for pyelonephritis.I hope I didn't scare the bejebus out of you, but UTIs were the bane of my existence for decades, and I'm happy to finally have a handle on managing them.Good luck to you.
