After 9 back surgeries and several in my abdomen I developed a neurogenic bladder. I couldnt completely vacate my bladder normally. I fought it for years tried several different medications. It just kept getting worse. So since I couldnt self cath, the pain was like shoving a razor blade up my urethra, that the only solution was a super pubic catheter placement. I have a permanent hole through my abdomen into my bladder. The regular catheter is run through the hole into my bladder and left for 30 days. I void normally and then open the cathater to empty my bladder. Something about dangerous pressure would build up in my bladder. So every night i put on a bag and use that all night. Real pleasant but what about chronic pain and illnesses is pleasant. It's an end to a means. My biggest regret is i can no longer do water aerobics because of the hole. In over 2 years I've gotten one bladder infection. That was when they cut my pain meds and i couldnt get to the urologists office, pay the $40 copay. And make other appointment i had going on thinking i had developed epilepsy. I went 6 months without it changed. I dont recommend that to anyone. Anyway no epilepsy, i have home healthcare changing my catheter monthly in my home. They also come weekly and check my vitals and update my doctors on my pain levels and any other issues. Take gentle care all.

For over 15 years I have taken antibiotics because I was having UTI's every 6-7 weeks . An Urinary specualist did all the appropriate tests and decided on the antibiotic I should take. Apart from renewing prescriptions, I had no interactions with him.
After3 years I realized I was having trouble keeping up,with my friends on a walk Saw my GP, who sent me for a pulmonary funtion test.at the local hospital Collapsed during the test. Sent to a larger hospital for surgery on my lungs that night. The eventual consensus from all the Doctors involved was a horrible lung disease, probably brought on by the Nitrofurantoin the antibioticm I had been on. iI now see an infectious disease Dr. regularly.

This incident which landed me in the ICU on a ventilater for10 days and then to get me off the vent. and then to a trach made me research every new med I am given especially for weird side effects, which are not shown immediately. I look at the drug sites. I think we have to be part of the process and not just depend on "Experts" to solve our problems. Help "yes"

Stress causes us to tense up, in the neck and the back...something as simple as a heating pad or a hot shower can literally was away the pain and stress.

HiCheryl..I just went to docs yesterday for a? UTI..The nurse took a cath urine and dipstick showed everything o.k....but will send urine for culture. ..some people are susseptable to UTIs ..it has to do with a lot of stress your stress levels through off your ph levels ..this is what I have learned and read UTIs are extremely uncomfortable and annoying..I hope you get to the bottom of these UTIs..Blessings to you..Hugs

Antibiotics kill the good bacteria you need to fight off infection. Stop taking those. Look into MMS. It kills only bad bacteria by oxidizing them. Good bacteria thrive on oxygen. Watch g2 voice videos on u tube and you will never need an antibiotic again and good bacteria will repopulate and you'll have much better immunity.