Persistent UTIs Since April
Hello everyone. I'm 18 years old and I want to share my experience with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) that have been plaguing me since April this year. To date, I have endured three infections: one in April, another in May, and the latest just now in August. This situation is incredibly frustrating, as each episode leaves me incapacitated for about a week while I complete my course of antibiotics. I'm determined to find a way to prevent these infections from happening again. Although I've been taking cranberry supplements sporadically, their effectiveness has been minimal. A bit of background: I had a Mirena IUD inserted in January, and prior to that, I had never experienced a UTI in my life. I'm uncertain if this is mere coincidence or if there’s a connection. Additionally, my boyfriend and I have been intimate without protection since I got the IUD; however, given these ongoing issues, we’ve decided to revert to using condoms to see if it makes a difference. I'm reaching out for any advice or strategies that could help me manage this problem. I'm becoming increasingly concerned that there might be a more serious underlying issue, but my physician doesn’t seem overly worried about my situation. He merely prescribes antibiotics and sends me on my way, leaving me feeling unheard. Thank you for any suggestions you might have!
Answers (1)
8/17/2025, 7:31:03 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) since April; I can understand how frustrating and concerning that must be for you. Let's explore some steps you can take to manage and potentially prevent future infections.
Key Points:
- Understanding the Situation: Recurrent UTIs can result from various factors, including hormonal changes or sexual activity. The Mirena IUD can sometimes be associated with changes in your vaginal flora, which could contribute to UTIs.
- Immediate Actions: Focus on a few strategies that might help reduce the frequency of your UTIs.
Explanation:
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Having multiple infections, especially after being UTI-free, can be alarming without clear underlying causes. It's good to be proactive about your health, especially if you're feeling unheard by your physician.
Actionable Steps:
- Hydration: Increase your daily water intake. Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water to help flush out bacteria from your urinary tract.
- Urinate After Intimacy: Make it a habit to urinate immediately after sexual activity. This can help clear any bacteria introduced during intercourse.
- Change Hygiene Products: Consider using unscented products (like soap and toilet paper) in your genital area to avoid irritation. Wipe front to back to reduce bacterial transfer.
- Evaluate Birth Control: While many people use IUDs without issues, monitor how you feel with it. If you think it could be contributing, discuss alternatives with a healthcare provider.
- Dietary Changes: Keep using cranberry products, but consistently add probiotics (like yogurt or supplements) to support a healthy vaginal flora.
- Track Your Symptoms: Keep a diary of your UTI occurrences, symptoms, and any potential triggers. This information can be invaluable if you seek further assistance.
- Discuss Further Testing: If UTIs persist or worsen, ask your physician for a more thorough investigation, such as urine cultures that can identify specific bacteria or tests to rule out underlying conditions.
If your efforts don't lead to improvement or you experience any new or worsening symptoms, seeking a second opinion might provide additional insights. Your health matters, and finding the right approach can take time, but you're taking important steps now.
Related Questions
Hematology Results Interpretation Request
Greetings, I'm a 77-year-old female who leads an active lifestyle despite dealing with ongoing chronic back pain attributed to conditions such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis. During my recent annual examination, my hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were notably low; I am usually on the lower end of the spectrum, but this time my hemoglobin registered at just 10.6. The medical team suspects a potential bleed related to my use of NSAIDs. Fortunately, occult blood tests returned normal results. Both a colonoscopy and endoscopy were performed and deemed normal as well. I have discontinued all NSAID usage, yet I find that acetaminophen provides inadequate relief, and I am now reliant on a daily dose of hydrocodone 5/325. Although I have been taking iron supplements somewhat regularly, my fatigue persists. Here are my lab results from this week. I would appreciate any insights you could provide regarding interpretation: # IRON DEFICIENCY PANEL ### % SATURATION |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|6.4 %|20-55 %|final| ### FERRITIN |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|14.7 ng/ml|13-150 ng/ml|final| ### IRON |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|28.20 ug/dL|37-160 ug/dL|final| ### TIBC |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|440 ug/dL|245-400 ug/dL|final| ### TRANSFERRIN |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|314.42 mg/dL|192-382 mg/dL|final| ### UIBC |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|412||final|
Am I Experiencing Silent Heart Attacks?
To give you some background, I'm a 19-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 3 inches and weighing 260 pounds. My weight gain can be largely attributed to a series of psychiatric medications I was prescribed, although I have lost twenty pounds and am continuing to shed more. Over the past year, I have encountered a range of symptoms that have left me perplexed and frustrated. These include severe chest pain, issues with acid reflux, shortness of breath, frequent dizziness, chronic fatigue, and persistent pain localized predominantly on the left side of my body, such as in my arms and legs. Additionally, I have experienced random itchy rashes, swelling in my fingers, toes, hands, and feet, as well as sensations of numbness and tingling, often confined to one side. Notably, I've also struggled with significant brain fog and memory lapses, alongside minor twitches in my eyes, lips, fingers, and limbs, as well as neck, jaw, and back discomfort. My primary healthcare provider attributes all of these symptoms to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and vitamin D, claiming that my dizziness is merely a result of an ear infection—though I lack any other symptoms apart from the dizziness. I am currently on Lamotrigine (300mg, taken twice daily) for focal seizures, which she believes is solely responsible for my dizziness as well. I’ve attempted to communicate that my experiences feel much more dire and that my pain and cognitive difficulties cannot be sufficiently explained by simple vitamin deficiencies. Unfortunately, she insists that, being young, many of my concerns likely stem from these deficiencies or hormonal changes linked to my menstrual cycle. Just a few hours ago, I developed a troublesome itchy rash on my right arm and leg, followed by intense chest pain and difficulty breathing—sometimes feeling as if I need to yawn to take a decent breath. I also experienced indigestion, excessive belching, and sensations of heaviness and tingling in my left arm and shoulder. Now, I’m feeling discomfort radiating from the back of my neck, across my left shoulder, extending into my fingers, and down my left leg, accompanied by the same heavy tingling sensations. While the pain isn't unbearable, it's certainly concerning and distracting. I recently visited the ICU for cold and flu-like symptoms, but tests ruled out covid and the flu. I also don't have a fever, though I still have a slight runny nose. I take Esomeprazole to manage my acid reflux, but its effectiveness has been limited. I do not have diabetes or pre-diabetes, although I am aware that I am overweight. Heart disease runs in my family, and I have a tendency towards health anxiety. Throughout last year, I sought medical attention multiple times for similar symptoms, yet X-rays and blood tests yielded no clear diagnosis. Since my last hospital visit for chest pains, my symptoms have noticeably intensified. For context, both my mother and sister have been diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), but I have not received a formal diagnosis myself. I have high blood pressure that is not currently medicated. Due to the persistent fatigue and pain, my activity level is rather low. I apologize if this message seems disorganized or if I come across as overly anxious. I’m genuinely at a loss regarding the reasons behind my symptoms and how to alleviate them, which is incredibly frustrating, especially when it feels like medical professionals often downplay my concerns. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts!
Severe Discomfort in Left Side Affects Sleep and Appetite
I’m an 18-year-old female experiencing extreme discomfort. As mentioned in the title, this pain began around five hours ago and has reached such a level that I can hardly eat or get any rest. The source appears to be my left armpit, from which the sensation travels down my arm and across the left side of my chest. I desperately need help to alleviate this issue, primarily because I’m deprived of sleep. Since I drank alcohol earlier, I can't take any painkillers like Advil. I also attempted to reach out to the non-emergency medical line in my area, but unfortunately, my phone service wouldn't connect my call. I didn’t want to add to my stress by dealing with customer support while feeling this way. I would appreciate any suggestions to relieve this pain. I've tried various methods like stretching and changing my position, but nothing seems to provide relief. The pain doesn't feel muscle-related, nor is it superficial; rather, it's a persistent internal ache that I find hard to articulate, yet it's quite dull. Any guidance would be immensely valued as I navigate this discomfort.
Evaluating My 8-Year-Old’s Persistent Abdominal Discomfort
I apologize for the lengthy account, but I feel it’s necessary to share my daughter’s situation. For over three weeks, my 8-year-old daughter has been suffering from constant and severe abdominal pain. At first, she rated her discomfort between 4 and 6 on a scale of 10, but it has now escalated to a range of 6 to 8 during the past week. In the first week, she also experienced a fever and a runny nose. Our family doctor suspected a urinary tract infection (UTI) and prescribed antibiotics on the fourth day, but these did not alleviate her pain. On the seventh day, I took her to the emergency room where an ultrasound and urine analysis were performed. The doctors ruled out appendicitis and indicated the possibility of mesenteric adenitis, which involves the lymph nodes in her abdomen. While her fever subsided by the tenth day, her pain intensified. When I returned to the ER on the twelfth day, further ultrasounds and blood tests returned normal results, and the physician suggested that constipation might be the issue. However, I pointed out that she has been having regular bowel movements without any straining. The doctor referred us to a pediatric specialist. During this entire ordeal, my daughter has been unable to attend school due to the significant pain, which often leaves her cringing in distress and struggling to sleep. She has been walking around the house hunched over, holding her stomach. On the fourteenth day, we visited the pediatrician, who ordered an X-ray that revealed moderate stool accumulation in her colon. When I inquired about treatment options, he advised increasing her activity, ensuring she drinks plenty of water, and encouraging her to return to school to aid in her recovery. At this point, I was alternating Tylenol and Advil every three hours for pain relief, but it was proving ineffective. I began monitoring her bowel movements, which remained at about 1 to 2 daily, scoring a 4 on the Bristol stool chart. Nevertheless, the intensity of her pain prevented me from sending her back to school. By the twentieth day, she reported pain in her neck and a shoulder, and I noticed swelling in the lymph nodes beneath her ears. On the twenty-second day, I returned to the ER to secure another referral to the pediatrician. The doctor expressed skepticism about mesenteric adenitis since it had persisted too long, and given that her lymph nodes were not enlarged during the previous ultrasound, recommended that constipation was unlikely due to her normal bowel patterns. He suggested that the issue may primarily lie in her mind-gut connection, implying that simply helping her resume her usual activities could be beneficial. Frustrated, I was advised to have her undergo a bowel cleanout just in case. Now we are on the third day of this process, with only a couple of small, soft bowel movements daily, yet she continues to experience significant pain. We are currently awaiting another appointment with the pediatrician. I am left bewildered by her condition. It’s worth mentioning that she is typically a lively and cheerful child, deeply engaged in school, sports, and activities with friends. She is shy and polite at medical visits and often struggles to comprehend the questions posed to her, which may hinder her ability to fully communicate the severity of her discomfort. I fear this leads to my concerns being dismissed as exaggeration.
28-Year-Old Woman Struggling with Severe Illness Despite Normal CRP Levels
I’m a 28-year-old female dealing with some serious health issues. I have a history of Graves’ disease (currently in remission) and polycystic ovary syndrome, but I do not have asthma. Recently, I have been feeling exceptionally unwell, which is surprising because I've previously survived both COVID-19 and pneumonia. It all began on Wednesday with severe body aches and an uncomfortable sore throat, but I managed to sleep. From Thursday onward, however, sleep became nearly impossible, with only brief intervals lasting 1 to 2 hours, adding up to about 10 hours of rest since then. Thursday also marked the start of a painful cough that aggravated my throat significantly, and I recorded a temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius at night. By Friday, my shortness of breath became intense. Every slight movement or change in position required wheezing and left me sounding like Darth Vader for several minutes while I tried to recuperate. The struggle to sleep continued. Come Saturday, the situation escalated. My breathing issues intensified to the point of feeling as though I was suffocating with even minor movements. Additionally, my upper back and chest began to ache, particularly when I coughed. In light of the worsening condition, I reached out to Denmark's out-of-hours medical service. Upon evaluation, the doctor assessed my back, pulse (which was elevated), and chest, and administered a CRP test. To my astonishment, my CRP level was only 8, leading him to conclude that there was nothing significant to address, suggesting that the illness was on the mend. Although I'm not a medical professional, this interpretation of CRP levels doesn’t align with my understanding. Consequently, I was sent home with no further assistance, and my throat and oxygen levels weren’t examined. Now, on Sunday morning, my condition has deteriorated further. I find myself struggling to breathe even while seated and have a constant sensation of suffocation. Lying down is impossible, as it triggers feelings of choking. My temperature fluctuates, only reaching what is considered “normal” when I take paracetamol; unfortunately, this does not alleviate my pain.