Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!! (Cystitis)

Member Name: Kirst09

Product:	Cystitis
Date:	09/09/09 (151 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: absolutely none!

Disadvantages: I was given no training of self surgical removal of my bladder in case of this infection

This is all about the personal experience and this is something I have definitely had too much experience of. Cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder due to infection or an irritation. Sadly, as I know, it is much more common in women than it is in men or children. Some of the causes make cystitis seem more preventable, for example with an increased frequency of sex, bathing and hygiene products or just a carelessness in your personal hygiene downstairs can also cause this if you aren't careful. There are also more health related reasons as to why you may contract cystitis, for example if you have diabetes, the sugar in your urine can encourage bacteria to grow, or bladder and kidney stones can also make urination painful/impossible. I am writing this review as I have suffered with this on a number of occasions and I have bought countless cystitis drink mixes, so I may as well share the pain and make a tiny bit of money to cover the massive costs of sachets that I have incurred over the last few years.

After having had it countless times, you know as soon as you have it again that you are in for a rough few days. The most common symptom is pain or burning when passing water, although another common symptom for me is the need to carry on peeing due to a desperate sensation followed by a sharp pain when my body decides that it has finished. Frequency of urination can also increase greatly; one time at work I went 4 or 5 times in 2 hours. Your urine can look abnormal in colour or smell, it could be cloudy or you could even have blood in it, which is always a scary prospect. You can also have a general feeling of being ill, but I have also experienced lower back pain a lot.
As I write this, I am currently in another bout of cystitis and it is not good. It kicked off one morning with that burning pain and by the end of that one day at work I was passing blood, bright red, no idea how concentrated it was but I was so scared. Self diagnosis online is never a good idea, but I like to know my most likely options, with everything from severe infection to kidney stones to kidney failure being the options. The cystitis drink sachets can work miracles or do absolutely nothing. Basically it is bicarbonate of soda mixed in with cranberry flavouring, which would be easy to make yourself but I prefer just to buy it for quick relief. It can cost anything from £1 from the pound shop all the way up to £4 or £5 from Boots and suchlike. It can also taste pretty foul to be honest but if you are in that much pain you just don't care! I would inject it into myself if it would stop the pain.

Although you may think a water infection cannot be that bad, anyone who has had one can say otherwise; it is absolutely excruciating, you will do absolutely anything to stop the pain. The drinks sachets can work if it is only mild. This is because the potassium citrate (bicarbonate of soda) neutralises the urine to make it less painful when urinating.
However, it is always better to go to a doctor and get yourself checked out. I hate going to the doctors unless I absolutely have to, but this is your kidneys you are dealing with here and you could end up with permanent damage if it gets quite serious. I have gone to see a nurse on a few occasions, always taking a urine sample with me, lovely. The first one of the day is usually the best as it is the most concentrated. The results of my first one required further testing and re-testing, which is a bit worrying as this has never happened before. So it is a week after this all kicked off and I am still in pain. I have had courses of antibiotics, cystitis sachets until they're coming out of my nose and the pain is slightly less but still extremely irritating.

I am now awaiting further test results. I wish I could give this absolutely zero stars because one star would mean it was at least a little bit fun, but it is by no means good in any way! I would advise having a box of sachets in as a precaution, especially if you've had it before. Not good times. Drink lots and get yourself to your medical centre as soon as you can if you are suffering from any symptoms. Paracetamol can also be useful for pain relief on the go, if you are ever caught short.

Summary: ditch the alcohol and stock up on cranberry in event of this!