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Cranberry and UTIs

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:30 pm
by ElMarino
I am susceptible to UTIs. So I have to be really careful about hygiene, showering twice a day, and I still have to rake antibiotics four or five times a year.


Cranberry supplements are no good. Or so I thought.

Just after Christmas I contracted another. It hadn't been long since my last one so I was pretty disappointed. I had some cranberry capsules, so I finished the bottle. About five lots of nine capsules throughout the day. Almost half a bottle (I was quite desperate..)

I was amazed to find that it worked! The next day, no UTI!

But it came back after 48 hours. So I realised I hadn't continued long enough. I bought a bottle of triple strength capsules from Holland and Barett (quite expensive too) and experimentef with the dose. After a few days I realised that, gor me at least, four triple strength capsules four times a day didn't work.

And now I don't feel that I have to shower all day long. I got another UTI last week. Four daus of four triple strength capsules four times a day and it was gone. I'm still amazed.

I thought cranberry didn't work as a prophylactic, let alone a treatment.

HDC. High Dose Cranberry treatment.

It feels like this is the only victory that I have had in the nine years of this xx disease.

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:03 pm
by jimmylegs
uva ursi is another godsend that saved me from abx for UTIs. plus acidophilus. miraculously awesome. since i discovered those i have only had one infection where i was forced to resort to abx, in over 15 yrs.

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:59 pm
by tzootsi
D-Mannose is the most effective thing I know of. D-Mannose is a indigestible sugar that prevents bacteria from clinging to the bladder wall. It can easily be purchased on the web in powder or capsules. I believe it's also found in cranberry and pineapple in small amounts.

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:48 pm
by ElMarino
Thanks very much you two! It makes me glad that I posted that. I shall look into your suggestions for sure..

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:29 pm
by flautenmusik
jimmylegs wrote:uva ursi is another godsend that saved me from abx for UTIs. plus acidophilus. miraculously awesome. since i discovered those i have only had one infection where i was forced to resort to abx, in over 15 yrs.

I also use Uva Ursi for UTI's and it works wonders! They say that it acts as an antiseptic in the bladder.

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:16 am
by L
An update.

I had another UTI.I am soo careful it amazes me that this cab happen. Two showers a day. But anyway. Boo hoo. There it is.

I bought some Uva Ursi from Holland and Barrett. But it didn't work for me, at least not this time. I followed the recommendation of one capsule (don't know the strength I'm afraid) 6 times a day for two days and then doubled it to 2/6/daily for another three days but with no success. Then I went wild with the triple strength cranberry and it did the trick.

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:27 am
by Algis
I have this formula:

Juniper berries, Corn silk, Uva Ursi leaves, Parsley root and leaf, Carrot tops, Dandelion leaf, Horsetail herb, Goldenrod flower tops, Hydrangea root, Gravel root and Marshmallow root, Orange peel and Peppermint leaf.

Make a concoction; 2 cups 3 times a day.

From Dr.Schultze.

I never tried because here I cant find the ingredients.

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:27 am
by L
Algis wrote:I have this formula:

Juniper berries, Corn silk, Uva Ursi leaves, Parsley root and leaf, Carrot tops, Dandelion leaf, Horsetail herb, Goldenrod flower tops, Hydrangea root, Gravel root and Marshmallow root, Orange peel and Peppermint leaf.

Make a concoction; 2 cups 3 times a day.

From Dr.Schultze.

I never tried because here I cant find the ingredients.
Sounds like a full time job!

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:47 am
by whyRwehere
My husband takes the D-Mannose 2 times a day (powder form ordered from iherb...cheaper than ordering in France). Anyhow, so far so good. The antibiotics were causing him to stop passing, so now he is self-cathing and D-Mannosing and it seems to be working. I know what you mean about a victory...before this it felt like we would never get out of the cycle.

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:56 am
by Chris55
L--I was diagnosed with intersistial cystitis about 40 years ago. (Have all the symptoms of infection but no bacteria.) There was nothing they could do...and not much more these days.

Back then, someone gave me the "Let's Get Well" book. I looked up the supplements for UTIs, took them and never had another problem until a few years ago. Could not find the book so I did my own research...made a list of everything I gathered then went back through and chose what I was willing to try. Also adjusted my diet SEVERELY---NO wheat, NO diary, NO red meat, NO pork, NO fruit (except honey dew and blueberries), NO caffeine. I also took OTC tablets that stopped the burning but only took one tablet at a time and only until they stopped working.

I did all of this after going to doc and being put on ABX. The ABX worked while I was on it but UTI came right back. After 3 weeks I was in AGONY!

I started my regimen (which included gobs of water and cranberry juice). It took 2 weeks but all the pain finally went away. I keep a vile of the supplements with me at all times and if I feel the burning, I immediately take my supps, start my awful diet and take the anti-burning tablets. Usually the next day all burning symptoms are gone!

If you want, I will send you a list of the supps I take (and I get as many as I can from Walmart!).

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:20 am
by L
whyRwehere - Glad to hear that you are enjoying a non antibiotic treatment too!

And pleased to hear about your success Chris55

Thanks for the recipe offer but I have it covered with cranberry alone. Although I shall try the D Mannose I think.

I am almost looking forwards to another UTI now. It was very satisfying to beat it with berries.