I had my op two weeks ago and have not yet started hormone treatment, but this morning I have cystitis. Great! I had to stop HRT immediately I was diagnosed and am assuming it is something to do with low oestrogen levels. I am dreading what will happen when I start Arimidex, or whatever they give me.
Any tips for curing or preventing this, apart from the obvious? I had it years ago, but think that HRT helps prevent it. I know drinking cranberry juice is good, but any other foods? I have my results’ clinic this afternoon and will mention it there. Maybe they will give me a prescription, but in the meantime any tips for lessening the effects are very welcome. Thanks.
Owwww, Really feel for you Ann, have had a few bouts in the past ,was always told to drink plenty to try and dilute the urine and lessen the sting and yup cranberry juice is good and an old gp told me not to bother with over the counter preps but just take a teaspoonfull of bicarb of soda in glass of water 3x day. Hope you get some relief soon.
Thanks, Sandra. I also read about sodium bicarbonate and couldn’t understand that, as it is alkaline, but cranberry is acidic. Anyway, I just found this article which says that contrary to popular belief, cranberry makes urine infections worse! Have a look and see what you think:-
I was told that Robinson’s Lemon Barley Water is perfect for treating cystitis not caused by an infection, but won’t defeat cystitis from an infection - you’d need ABs as well.
I think bicarb is good, too. It also works well for chemo-induced thrush - you can gargle with it, drink it and even douche with it if you have down-below thrush - trust me, I speak from experience on this one! Sorry if that’s too much information…
Thanks for the tips. Suffering really badly, though. Mentioned it at my results clinic today and was told to drink cranberry juice - but I think it is past that. I need to make a doctor’s appointment in the morning. Never had it this bad.
I went to the emergency doctors and got antibiotics and that cured me extremely fast. The doctor gave me an extra supply which I still have six years later. I developed cystitis after going off to see my friend in Ireland between surgery and radiotherapy. I had to catch a bus back from the airport and it was delayed so I couldn’t go to the loo for ages. It came on the next day when I was visiting the occupational health doctor. Strange timing as the next day after that I was due to go for my radiotherapy planning meeting. I had to dash off in the evening to get the emergency treatment as I was convinced I had to go through with the radio planning. In the end I made a terrible fuss and refused to do anything until I’d seen my consultant.
So in the end I didn’t have the planning meeting which was delayed a few weeks. It doesn’t seem to have done any harm though. I wouldn’t rely on cranberry juice I prefer drugs
Thanks, all. I drank loads (with and without bicarb) last night and through the night, with several bathroom visits. Fortunately, that helped and today it is a lot better - still drinking loads, though. I didn’t go to the doctors in the end. I would rather save antibiotics for when I really can’t cope. It is amazing how it went from being so excruciatingly painful, to just uncomfortable overnight. Hopefully, I can just fight it off now.
Molennium - Like you were, I am between surgery and rads planning and I had to sit and wait for ages at the hospital yesterday, which obviously made it worse.
Jayney - I have also had cranberry and lemon barley. Something must have worked.
Hi Ann,
I think you need to talk to your doctore to adjust your chemo meds. I do have IC as well and 2 months ago was diagnosed with breast cancer. I do need chemo but I was told that one of chemo’s side effevt is IC & since I do have it they are not going to recommend it to me because it can worsen my IC to the point that I can lose my bladder.
If they can make changes to your chemo meds combination it can help with your IC since you’ve already started.
