Telling Difference Between Endo & UTI

[airenwoodmoon.livejournal.com]

This is actually just a curiosity question because I've been thinking about it lately.

Unfortunately the majority of my endo is on my bladder so when it flares up I start having issues with pain and peeing and all that fun stuff.

I've only had one UTI in my life so far (thank god) but it gave me the exact same symptoms as my endo: pain with urination (bladder pain, not so much urethra. That only happened when I started antibiotics), not peeing a lot when I go, pressure that makes me feel like I have to pee a lot. So when I had it I didn't recognize it as something different and wrong and let it go until I woke up in the middle of the night screaming in pain because of my kidneys.

So now I'm paranoid as all get out about contracting another UTI, especially since I still have no idea what caused the one (wiping habits haven't changed in 20 some odd years, I've stopped wearing thongs, I didn't have PIV sex, no sex at all actually). Is there anything I can do to try and stave off a UTI in the future? Kinda like taking vitamin C to keep colds away- it probably won't do a damn thing once I get one but it's safe enough to do every day and it might help keep them at bay. I really don't want to let an infection go for that long again but I simply don't have the money for copays every time my bladder twinges.

(Obviously my endo's acting up which is making me think about this. A big thank you to everyone who helped with ideas for my irritation and never ending period- it finally ended and I can sit normally now. ^_^ But the cramps just won't go away and keep getting worse. DX I'm starting to really hate POPs.)

Thanks!

Comments

[archangelbeth]

Perhaps invest in something like http://www.azoproducts.com/products/azo_test_strips ? I fear that's about all I can think of off the top of my head. O:(

[airenwoodmoon.livejournal.com]

Ooo, never heard of those things. Nifty. Probably ridiculously expensive but worth it if they work. Thanks!

[laughing-dreams.livejournal.com]

they're about 10 bucks for a bottle of 3, but they work, I always have a bottle hanging around at home because I'm very prone to UTI's

[airenwoodmoon.livejournal.com]

Hey, that's not bad. Thanks so much!

[yssie.livejournal.com]

Cranberry is also something that helps stave off UTI infections.
That company, AZO, makes a cranberry pill you can take daily specifically for UTI. Or, you can find cranberry pills at your local drug store, and most of the time at the local grocery store as well. OR, if you don't mind drinking cranberry juice, drink a bit (8 ounces or more) of cranberry juice a day. For this to work, it needs to be 100 percent cranberry juice.

[airenwoodmoon.livejournal.com]

I found those and picked some up last night. Thanks!

[kuni-bob.livejournal.com]

Seconding the AZO test strips! I order them in from the US because I have a bladder condition that would cover up any UTI symptoms, so I can never tell if I have a UTI or not. Really annoying. :\

[airenwoodmoon.livejournal.com]

It is annoying, sorry you're in the same boat. I'll have to check pharmacies cause the grocery store didn't carry them last night. Thanks!