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Hi All, I've posted on here before about the horrific flare I've been in for going on 7 plus weeks. Well, last week, I tested positive for a UTI. I've never, in 18 years of having IC, tested positive for a UTI. Not once. It didn't even occur to me that my flare could be a UTI. And maybe it wasn't at first. Who knows? Well, my PCP has ordered Cipro. I DO NOT want to take Cipro or any antibiotics, period. BUT, this has been going on for a while ... I'm worried that at this point, herbs won't be able to cure it. If I'd started herbs right away, then I would have a lot more confidence in their ability to knock it out. My question: Has anyone here been successfully treated for UTI by herbs? And did you catch it immediately and start on them? I really need to have peace of mind going forward without antibiotics. As much as I HATE the idea of taking them, it scares me NOT to, too. Did I mention how much I hate IC and these kinds of dilemmas? 
Melinda -
Melinda -
I have taken Dianthus Formula for an actual UTI. It does work really well. I would try that before the antibiotics. For stronger infections, Matia combines it with Chuan Xin Lian. In my experience, Dianthus may take a bit longer to work, but in the long run it clears the infection more thoroughly. When I use antibiotics it often comes back and/or I get a yeast infection. You can also keep test strips on hand so that next time you're unsure you can test your urine to see if it's an infection or a flare. You can find them online and they're not expensive. Hope you feel better soon!
Thank you ... I don't have
Thank you ... I don't have any dianthus formula on hand. I ordered some yesterday after talking to boaz. I also ordered some chuan xin lian, just in case. I'm getting the test strips too. Just worried that after 7 weeks, it's going to hard to knock out. Thank you for your response though ... that does help. :)
You're welcome! I wouldn't
You're welcome! I wouldn't worry about how long you've had the infection, though I can understand why you would and have felt that way before. I think the herbs will still work. You always have Cipro as a last resort but if you can stick it out until you get the dianthus I think it's worth trying first.
Hi Melinda,
Hi Melinda,
I treated a very persistent and nasty infection with herbs - we did the dianthus and CXL for awhile (along with a MILLION other things - I was taking over 100 pills a day)- and then we switched course to what Dr. M referred to as for an infection that was "deep in the tissue" - so I know that they've seen it all and dealt with it all. Give the herbs a try! You have nothing to lose and then if you choose to do abx, you can. Good luck, I've been thinking of you a lot.
Hi Melinda, If you are
Hi Melinda, If you are planning to take Cipro be aware that some people have very adverse reactions to this class of antibiotic, stop taking it if you start experiencing pain in your muscles/tendons. I am not trying to build fear, I know we are all already fearful of antibiotics here. I just feel I have to chime in about Cipro because my healthy father just had a very bad reaction and he is still in pain and experiencing anxiety 2 weeks later. He is not a fragile IC patient but rather a healthy believer in Western medicine. I don't get UTIs but perhaps if you decide to take antibiotics do a little research about the kinds of antibiotics prescribed for UTIs....I think macrobid is one, perhaps it is less toxic than Cipro.
Thank you, Claire. And I
Thank you, Claire. And I appreciate your thoughts and sharing your experience. That helps alot. And Jessica, I looked up the info on Cipro and it's pretty well freaked me out! I took 2 when I was in a BAD way last week, but stopped. I'm in touch with Boaz regularly via email and we're trying to work this out through a herbal protocol. After what I read, I was sorry I even took 2. But I've had no ill effects. Hopefully, that will continue. Pain can really cloud your judgment! Thank you so much for your response ... it helps reinforce that I just have to stick with it and trust the process.