I'm sorry you've been going through this. As for me, I find that things like caffeine and even decaffeinated tea cause urgency. You probably are away of that. I was but forget when it's convenient. Ever since I started using catheters, my bladder does not remain full. That causes UTI in itself. I think holding it in when I was working and stressing all day caused problems for my bladder anyway.

Thanks to one of our MS'ers on dx, I found out about D-Mannose powder. When I'm feeling irritated, I add a spoonful to water a couple of times daily. I takes antibiotics if I have had a UTI for a few days and it's not getting relief. Usually D-Mannose does the trick at keeping things clear.

I keep my own test strips on hand and a prescription for macrobid and find it's like having good insurance. I just read that getting too much fluid can cause as much trouble as not getting enough, so over 2 liters isn't supposed to be good. Clear liquids are helpful too.

I was concerned with whether the provigil is causing my frequency, but just realized that If 2 liters should be the maximum amount of liquid consumed in the course of a day, I went over by about 15 ounces. I know I sleep easier without so many bladder calls when I keep the liquids in check. Decaf tea mixed with water and and juice may be too acidic as well.

I hope you let us know how you worked this out. Hugs.

A delayed thank you!
I've been UTI free since September! (yeah!).
The changes I have made were this:
Drinking a lot more fluid and adding cranberry JUICE to the water. You can buy just the juice at the store. Ocean Spray makes it -- 100% juice it is called.
I am also taking the cranberry supplements daily and so far, so good.
Another thing is this it seems - SOAP!
I was told not to use soap (only water) on the genitals. This could be causing the UTIs as well, Who would have ever thought?
Anyway, I hope I am coming into this New Year UTI-free.
have the home testing kit on hand and also an RX for Macrobid in my drawer to avoid having to go to the ER at 3:00 a,m.!
Thanks again and it sounds like I am on the right track. :)

It is also helpful to have your pcp check if you have a uti. Then, if there is a bacteria present, the lab does a special test to check WHICH antibiotic clears up the infection the best. If someone always takes macrobid, you won’t know-
1) if you have an infection
2) what antibiotic treats it the best
Sometimes my md needs to call me back and change the antibiotic I’m on initially for comfort.
Hope this helps.

The last UTI I got was in April this year and it put me in hospital. As my MS progresses infection anywhere does me in. I too suffer incontinence. Every think my urologist says is not to hold my bladder. The germs in our waste (urine) has a higher chance of giving you an infection. I know this was a good thing for you to do but my experience is different. Also, you might want to try bladder Botox treatments. It helps control and reduces urgency.

Hello everyone,
Here is is Sept. 6, 2018. I have gone a full year without a UTI! Yippee! I guess drinking that awful cranberry juice (no sugar, nothing but cranberries) & the avoidance of soap has solved the problem for now.
I have other problems that have since emerged as I had 11 (eleven!) infections in 9 mos. last year (4 were UTIs, the other were a form of singles; the other infection was an eye infection of all things),
Thanks for the help and good to see you lchoppel & lorrie!

Glad to hear you've conquered the UTI! I wonder why in the world the other infections!? Hugs, my friend. Nice to hear your great news about the UTIs!