shinyhappypeople Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Anyone know any good home remedies for a UTI? :tongue_smilie: The logical thing would be to go get a prescription but that's not an option at the moment. I can't afford the urgent care ($130 or more, plus the cost of meds), the discount clinic is booked up and I really, really don't want this to turn into a kidney infection (again. argh.). So, does anyone know of any tried and true remedies? Thanks. I miss having insurance. :crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdroberts1998 Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I always heard that drinking cranberry juice would work. Hope you get to feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan in SC Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 (edited) I thought there were OTC drugs available for UTI's now. Cystex? ETA:- I don't know where you live, but we have pharmacies with nurse practitioners. It is usually $50-60 out of pocket. (I think!) Edited November 13, 2009 by Jan in SC more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Real cranberry juice, not the "cocktail" kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarawatsonim Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I used to have them chronically and couldn't always miss work for doctors app. so I took cranberry pills. Now I only get them maybe once a year, and I still use the pills because they are much more convenient. They are in the herbal section of any drugstore. Try to get the concentrated kind if they have them. It says take one a day for a healthy urinary tract, (to prevent a uti) but when it was bad, or when I felt one starting I would take a lot more. It always seemed to work for me. That with a combination of goldenseal is what I use if it gets really bad. Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 This is not something you should treat yourself. Call your doctor, explain the situation. You should not need to go in to be seen, so that shouldn't cost you at all. There are some very, very cheap antibiotics. You really need to not be treating a UTI yourself, especially if you've already had one turn into a kidney infection. Treating a kidney infection will cost you far more than a call to the doc and a cheap prescription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periwinkle Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I used to have them chronically and couldn't always miss work for doctors app. so I took cranberry pills. Now I only get them maybe once a year, and I still use the pills because they are much more convenient. They are in the herbal section of any drugstore. Try to get the concentrated kind if they have them. It says take one a day for a healthy urinary tract, (to prevent a uti) but when it was bad, or when I felt one starting I would take a lot more. It always seemed to work for me. That with a combination of goldenseal is what I use if it gets really bad. Sara :iagree: Plus drink lots of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caitlinsmom Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I get UTI's routinely and this is what I do. As soon as I feel one coming on I start drinking cranberry juice. This can be harder to find but get the highest percent of juice possible. I also picked up some Cranberry capsules at Fred Meyer for about $8 I think. I take 3 of those a day. Usually within a day my symptoms are cleared up but I still take all the cranberry for a couple days. Hope you feel better! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 (edited) I thought there were OTC drugs available for UTI's now. Cystex? ETA:- I don't know where you live, but we have pharmacies with nurse practitioners. It is usually $50-60 out of pocket. (I think!) There's OTC-dosage peridium (don't know how to spell that!) made by AZO, who also make cranberry pills called AZO Standard. There is also Uristat. Both are just under the Rx dosage, so they can be sold OTC. They will definitely take the edge off. But you NEED to be seen, especially with kidney infection history. It will take care of the pain and urgency so that you can SIT in the doctor's office without wanting to cry (personal experience!!! TMI TMI TMI!!) Edited November 13, 2009 by BikeBookBread spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I take cranberry pills like they were M&Ms. This prevents the insanely frequent UTIs I was having, and if you take a lot then they'll probably mitigate the symptoms. Works better than the juice, because more concentrated. They aren't a cure for me, though, I'm not going to tell you not to go to the doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 When I didn't want to go to the doctor, I took cranberry pills, Azo standard, and drank gallons of water. I still ended up in the emergency room with IV antibiotics. I was very lucky not to have permanent kidney damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 :cheers2: <---- that's cranberry juice. Honest.:001_smile: And I got some Cystex. This should do me until I can get into the "free" (cheap) clinic next week. Y'all are a fount of useful information. I thank you :) This is not something you should treat yourself. Call your doctor, explain the situation. You should not need to go in to be seen, so that shouldn't cost you at all. There are some very, very cheap antibiotics. You really need to not be treating a UTI yourself, especially if you've already had one turn into a kidney infection. Treating a kidney infection will cost you far more than a call to the doc and a cheap prescription. I agree with you... but I can't find any doctor to see me today. And the urgent care is just too expensive. I can't pay them what I don't have, kwim? Anyway, the Cystex says it's designed to keep the UTI from getting worse while you wait for your appointment, so hopefully it lives up to its claims. If it spreads to my kidneys I'll just go to the ER and see if I can get Medicare to cover me (we're unemployed right now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 (edited) This is not medical information, just anecdotal. A few years ago, ds was in the hospital and I started getting a UTI. It would have been very inconvenient/impossible for me to pack up and go see my dr. I asked the head nurse if there was anything she could do and she printed off an email she had just gotten listing natural cures for illnesses and ailments. The one for a UTI is to take an Alka Seltzer. Something about the bacteria, ph level....I don't remember because I was desperate and in pain. I tried it and it worked almost instantly. (Alka Seltzer is baking soda and aspirin, btw) Now, since then, a nurse on this board told me that an alka seltzer was probably NOT good for it, because of the ph level. I hesitate to give this info out anymore because of what the hive nurse said, but it being a Friday afternoon and all.... :grouphug: ETA: I just found this link, fwiw.. http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/19/234.cfm Edited November 13, 2009 by Aggie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I agree with you... but I can't find any doctor to see me today. And the urgent care is just too expensive. I can't pay them what I don't have, kwim? I'm not saying go in. I'm saying call your doc, leave a message that you have a UTI and can't come in, and get a prescription. They won't leave you hanging. I once got a call back a day late from a doc and was bleeding very badly by the time he did call. It got so bad so fast. The doctor was tripping over himself apologizing and telling me that no, it's not okay that the message didn't get to him. UTIs can go bad very quickly and a week to wait for the free clinic is not okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 My doctor requires that I come in ($50+) before he'll prescribe anything even for a UTI. I wish I had your doctor. He sounds great!! I know the signs and won't hesitate to go to the ER if it gets worse or I see signs of it spreading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 How are you feeling today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 (edited) When drinking cranberry juice make sure it is 100% juice not cranberry cocktail. The sugar in the cocktail defeats the benefits of the juice. Edited November 14, 2009 by kewb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Anyone know any good home remedies for a UTI? :tongue_smilie: The logical thing would be to go get a prescription but that's not an option at the moment. I can't afford the urgent care ($130 or more, plus the cost of meds), the discount clinic is booked up and I really, really don't want this to turn into a kidney infection (again. argh.). So, does anyone know of any tried and true remedies? Thanks. I miss having insurance. :crying: Push TONS of fluids plus 24 oz or so of high quality cranberry juice spread out over the day (you can mix it with water). I can sometimes head off a UTI this way. But, if it is really getting bad, then go to urgent care and get on A/B. You don't want to end up with a kidney infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Anyone know any good home remedies for a UTI? :tongue_smilie: The logical thing would be to go get a prescription but that's not an option at the moment. I can't afford the urgent care ($130 or more, plus the cost of meds), the discount clinic is booked up and I really, really don't want this to turn into a kidney infection (again. argh.). So, does anyone know of any tried and true remedies? Thanks. I miss having insurance. :crying: If you have a kidney infection before, then I definitely would not risk going without medical treatment and an antibiotic. Don't they have a payment plan? I know it is rough since we have lousy insurance as well and money is very tight, but I would not risk serious impairment such as massive infection or kidney disease. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 For prevention in the future, I would definitely drink cranberry juice daily and drink lots of fluids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 My doctor requires that I come in ($50+) before he'll prescribe anything even for a UTI. I wish I had your doctor. He sounds great!! I know the signs and won't hesitate to go to the ER if it gets worse or I see signs of it spreading. It might be worth it especially if he considers giving you an extra prescription for emergency use for future episodes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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