Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.
Nitrofurantoin is used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. It works by interfering with various chemical processes in the bacteria, which results in the death of the bacteria.
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Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) is used to treat pain, burning, increased urination, and increased urge to urinate. These symptoms are usually caused by infection, injury, surgery, catheter, or other conditions that irritate the lower urinary tract.
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I got my first bladder infection (Urinary Tract Infection, Cystitis) when I was in 9th grade.
In 12th grade I was hospitalized for one that spread to my kidneys.
Once I had to get IV fluids in my doctors office because I had one.
I had an understanding with one of my doctors that I didn't even need to schedule an appointment when I got one. I could just go in to her office, pee in a cup and get a prescription.
They didn't have Pyridium then and I just had to suffer in severe pain for 3 days until the antibiotics took.
I know God loves me because he gave me Pyridium.
I only get bladder infections about once a year now instead of every couple of months like I used to, but when I do get them they seem to hit me like a truck, even though I recognize the symptoms and get to the doctor as soon as I can.
If I don't get to the doctor right away, the initial symptoms of "frequent and painful urination" are joined by nausea, vomiting, dehydration and severe headache.
Oh and by the way, drinking organic apple cider vinegar will NOT cure your bladder infection.
It will ease the symptoms of severe needling pain while peeing and the urge to pee like a racehorse every 12 minutes even though you release more tears than urine when you go.
But if you only drink the vinegar and don't get antibioics, chances are the infection will only get worse while you think it's getting better and when you stop drinking the vinegar you'll be 10 times worse off than you were before.
(I learned that fun lesson last year).
You are much better off going to the doctor, getting antibiocs and Pyridium, which eases the symptoms even better than vinegar, even if it turns your pee bright orange.
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If it weren't for antibiotics I never would have seen my 18th birthday.
If it weren't for Pyridium I wouldn't be sitting in this chair blogging right now.
I would be sitting on the toilet crying.
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I am grateful for all of the medical advances that are saving lives. Heart transplants, bone marrow transplants, radiation treatments, progress towards curing cancer and AIDS, all of those are wonderful, and I thank God for them, but right now I'm just grateful it doesn't hurt when I pee.
8 comments:
I'm not sure if that's borderline TMI or not. I too am greteful for pyridium. I became acquainted with it after surgery to remove a kidney stone. I remember thinking, while in school studying the metric system, that 4 mm was small but I couldn't convince my urethra of that. I guess tha whole point is Della, I don't feel your pain. God Bless the miracles of modern science. Good luck Della. -- Drew
The miracles of modern medicine are much of why I I am still here too and that most of what I have works as well as it does.
How big 4 mm is depends on where it is. The end results are pleasing but I do not look forward to some future day when I will get to know how big it is.
DAD
OK, I'm grateful too, but why can't they find a better pain medication???--Liz
Just make sure you eat yogurt too. I learned that lesson on my mission. Although as a result I was able to get a priesthood blessing that actually stopped both pains immediately.
I'm glad you're feeling better.
Carrie
Because of medical advances my husband is still alive, he has Cystic Fibrosis, and the age expectancy when he was born was 7 years old. The age expectancy continues to rise. . . now if they can only find a cure!
I used to get those infections annually. They didn't get to the extent your do, but I understand a little bit of that crying ont he toilet and the crazy painful urge to go. I'm glad the medicines works so well.
I have had similar experiences and know that fun pain all too well...ben septic twice and hospitalized three times...no fun at all...I will be praying for you to have a quick and complete recovery...
I need you to pray for me...read my post.
I happen to know a little about UTIs, as I've been blessed and cursed with them since I was little. It just plain sucks. Sobbing while gripping your ankles just isn't an event you ever forget.
Here is my wisdom: Cranberry.
I'm sure you've heard that drinking cranberry juice helps, the thing is, it's gross. I can't gag down a gallon even though I know what kind of relief I can get through it. Solution: Cranberry supplement pills. You can find them in the pharmacy area with all the other dietary supplements. Get the one that has the highest Mg. Sounds like you should take them every day anyway, but as soon as I'm feeling symptomatic, I start taking like 4 in the morning and 4 at night.
Good luck! I hope this helps, and I'm glad you're feeling better now.
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