UTIs - PCOS &/or Atkins conntection??

ElizMercedes · 06-29-2004, 06:53 PM

Woke up yesterday with the symptoms of a new UTI. Although I haven't had one in years, I sure remembered the burning, the full feeling, the urgency. Tried to see if it would clear up with over-the-counter pills and cranberry juice to no avail.

Went to the OB-Gyn today and was told that my urine was clear. The PA was very sympathetic, but said unless the urinalysis shows certain levels of infection, she can't treat me or give me antibiotics. She then sent my sample out for a 'culture' and said to call back in 48 hours, perhaps it's something unusual.

The only thing I've done differently in the past 8 weeks is to start on the Atkins WOE - and I feel fantastic, and I've lost over 15lbs. Yet she zeroed in on that as if it could be causing my UTI??? I have to say I find that hard to believe. This feels like your run of the mill UTI to me.

I drink a ton of water, daily, plus supplements. I'm healthier than I've been in years. I've looked on the web and haven't found one article linking Atkins and UTIs.

So here I sit, chugging cranberry juice, ready to cry every time I have to pee what feels like razor blades, waiting for the test results Thursday to see if I can get antibiotics before a friend's wedding on Saturday.

Anyone have any ideas, either as to why I'd feel so COMPLETELY like a UTI yet not have one, or some home remedies I might not know of???

Thanks!
Eliz

missmaryk · 07-01-2004, 02:26 AM

Don't the first two weeks of Atkins make your kidneys go into "ketosis", maybe it's too hard for your system. I wouldn't sit there and chug cranberry juice, because remember that it has sugar and if you are at all IR then it could lower your resistance and make it harder to fight an infection if there is one. I use cranberry pills that you can find at Walmart in the herbal section. I have used these to cure UTI's, and they don't raise my sugars.

I have had many UTI's over the years and can understand how miserable they are. I hope you can find help to clear it up.
Good luck.

sunstarmoon777 · 07-01-2004, 04:54 PM

I can so empathize with you...UTI's, I believe are among one of the worst things a woman can go through. I used to get them so often I would just have to cry.

Anyway, I haven't heard anything about Low-carbing affecting the urinary tract, however I suppose it's possible.

I also noticed that you are taking a bunch of meds. Is this a new thing or have you been consistently taking all of those for a while? Many times medicine overload can cause Urinary Tract Infections.

Also, if you are prone to UTI's, make sure that you urinate no more than 2 hours after sex. You should really do it immediatly after. Bacteria from you sig. other can creep up inside you and cause infection.

Another thing, cranberry juice should only be used before a UTI. Cranberry juice helps to keep your urinary tract clean, but once you have a UTI drinking cranberry juice is actually more harmful then helpful. The juice is acidic and will only make you more uncomfortable and burn more, plus it has sugars in it which can help the bacteria to thrive. Drink water if you are thirsty, it will help flush out your system, although who wants to have to 'pee' when you have a UTI.:o

I hope that you get some relief soon. I know you said you tried the OTC stuff, but I have always found Uristat to be helpful when I can't immediatly see the doctor.

One more thing, avoid baths. It also causes growth and spreading of bacteria.

If it gets worse, go to the hospital. I hope you will be feeling better soon.

Love,
Megan

ElizMercedes · 07-01-2004, 07:43 PM

Thanks alot for the input! I've been on the BCPs and Spiro since January and the vitamins since I started Atkins in April/May. I'm pretty much on target for the things you're 'supposed' to do about bladder infections, from the looks of it.

My OB-Gyn's office called back this morning to say that my culture came back with "mixed growth" as a result - which she said can either indicate an infection or a bad sample?? When I asked the nurse on the phone if this could be related to Atkins, she actually snorted! (Hehe - either she doesn't think much of the PA I saw yesterday or is an Atkins fan.) She said my urine was testing better than her own - except for the bacteria, which was probably just your standard fecal bacteria causing the UTI and that they weren't going to make me come back in over it.

So she took pity on me - they put me on a 7-day course of nitrofurantoin to zap any infection once I promised if it didn't get any better by Sunday with the meds, I'd go to the ER.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I was terrified I'd be at the wedding this weekend, camped out in the bathroom!

Thanks for the ear, ladies!

guineapig · 07-02-2004, 06:26 PM

If YOU believe and YOU know you have a UTI (although yeast can sometimes be uncomfortable too) then demand antibiotics. I had a UTI that the regular doctor refused to treat and the bacteria dug their little selves into the bladder lining and later could not be killed by any antibiotic--I had UTI for a year. I ended up having a coiterization to finally get rid of the UTI--when a simple prescription would've done it. Cranberry juice is not a cure, it only helps symptoms.

I agree to avoid baths, but be careful of dirty pools also--if it doesn't smell of clorine, or it's not your own, be wary; I got a UTI from a pool once.