Hello one and all. Is anyone else having repeated Urinary Trac Infections. I have had 3 since starting Arimadex 3 months ago. Trying so hard to avoid antibiotics because they are so hard on the gut, but feel like I am fighting a losing battle:( So tired of this. If it is not one thing it is another:(
Alternative to Mona Lisa Touch: DHEA-S vaginal pessaries FDA approved and available in the USA on script is supposed to work the same but is the completely safe alternative. BCNA Network have taken this to their regular meeting with the medical community to see if it can be fast tracked here. I am not confident it can as there are too many hurdles to jump. I believe there are compounding chemists who make DHEA into pessaries on script but you would have to check that locally to ensure it is the same as DHEA-S. It is a bit confusing. Before I tried the Mona LIsa Touch I tried to get information from the Breast Cancer site in America. Here is their response: Again, I don't know if it would be the same thing. You need to ask your doctor. If we don't start asking our doctors why things that work for vaginal atrophy and safe for estrogen positive breast cancer patients are not available here we will never see them. Here is question I posed on the American Breast Cancer site (I go under the name of Genesis10) and response I got today. Good luck ladies and start posing these questions to your drs, bearing in mind most are not up to date with things like this.
genesis10 wrote:
My Gyno recently told me about DHEA-S vaginal gel. My Gyno is a born cynic and only looks at the Science behind products so she doesn't recommend anything she has not studied. She has advised DHEA-S vaginal gel is the answer for vaginal atrophy in estrogen positive breast cancer patients and is confirmed by the articles below. (Please open attached articles). I am from Australia but Gyno advises product is only available in America. Can anyone on this network help me obtain it?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/16010...
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-menopause...
Hi genesis10, looked up DHEA, there is a brand called Bezwecken for sale on a site called NaturalNutritionals that ships internationally. Here is the link http://www.naturalnutritionals.com/brands-a-to-z-bezwecken.html. I read about this brand, which says to use topically but women are also inserting them vaginally as well with good result.
I got some DHEA vaginal suppositories, they don't ship outside the US, but they are helping me a lot, even at half the dose. NO more vaginal dryness, and really improved sex, if you know what I mean. So happy I bought this. Good luck.
Yes,
No UTI's since.I would still rather not use it, but could not go on the way I was. I wish I could afford the mona lisa.
Paula :)
Hi AndiJ, My name is Sue. If your drs will let you take estrogen thats great. Mine wouldn't. My problems were vaginal atrophy, dryness, stinging, painful sex, constant and persistent UTIs where antibiotics were destroying my gut, and stress incontinence. I couldn't even have a cup of coffee or one drink of wine or even over-exert myself in the garden because whammo I would get an infection. I am not going to try and talk anyone into the procedure I had as everyone is on a different journey. I researched this to death before I went ahead. It changed my life. All those issues are now a thing of the past. But do your own research and talk to your own doctors. You can find my journey on Lost Libido Club. Suexx
Thank you Paula, I will have a look for sure. Yes that is me. Every 3 weeks, just awful. You try to live healthily to help keep the cancer away and your gut health is so important in that healthy living, then the antibiotics destroy all the good bacteria:( Even though my cancer was oestrogen positive the dr and oncologist have given the okay to use the oestrogen cream, they said the body absorbs a negligable amount so here's hoping. Has it stopped the uti's Paula?
Hi Andi,
There is a closed group on here called "the lost libido ladies". Don't let the name put you off. There has been much discussion on here about UTI's. You might like to join. I too have suffered greatly with them. My cancer was triple negative and as such the oestrogen cream is OK for me to use. Having said that I have reluctantly started to use it with my surgeon and oncologists blessing. I don't like that I have to use it, but I was getting a UTI every 3 weeks. My poor body could not take anymore antibiotics. I am watching SusieQ story with great interest too.
Hugs
Paula xx
It's true hey. How you can have so many different side effects with the same medication among a group of people.
Andi x
The body is a strange thing. We all experience different side effects. I have read only 50% of women suffer vaginal atrophy after menopause. You would have to wonder why wouldn't you?
For me, urinary tract infections were becoming intollerable. I had been on antibiotics constantly. Yes, I drank 2-3 litres of water a day, took high strenght cranberry tablets etc etc. One cup of coffee or just one glass of wine would bring on an infection as would any form of strenuous exercise.
Antibiotics were effecting me. My reflux was very bad but I was more worried about my kidney function. Ladies we are all on this journey. Some things work for some and not for others. Some suffer dreadful and debilitaing side effects others don't.
Suex
Yes I do need to drink more water and bought the cranberry capsules yesterday. Some say it works, some say it doesn't so I figured I have nothing to lose:) Thank you x
Yes, better to be safe than sorry hey. All the very best for the remainder of your chemo. You still have a fair bit to go by the looks of it. x
Oh no. I don't know which is worse - probably shingles I think.. It is so lucky you got it early though:)
