Hi RenneG. You just mentioned the story of my life during the past year. I don't know if you use a biologic, I use Enbrel and previously was on Remicade. With Enbrel I've had 9 urinary tract infections during the past year! It's been really hard but they are finally under control. Both my rheumathologist and urologist agreed that there is nothing wrong with me, but that it is a consequence of my decreased immune system due to all the RA medication, specially MTX and Enbrel.
Currently I take a small dose of antibiotics every day to prevent infections and I haven't had one in months. I also have to be extra careful, no swimming pools, cotton underwear only, etc. I also drink lots of water and cranberry juice.
Hope this helps and hope you feel better.
Yvette.

Men, be warned, there's all sorts of intimate female talk going in this response, so avert your eyes if you're easily grossed out.

The answer to your question is: asolutely! While I would occassionally get a UTI prior to RA (one maybe every 5 years), once I got on immune suspressing drugs they came one after another. My system was weakened and as soon as I'd go off the antibiotics, back they'd came...it was a time of endless misery and pain.

Try to see if you can find a pattern to your UTIs. For me, sex was the trigger...that's when your body is exposed to a lot of foreign bacteria which can get into your urinary tract. My MD put me on a small dose of antibiotics to take right after sex, and I haven't had a UTI since.

Your period can also trigger UTIs (blood is a great breeding ground for bacteria). You may have to change your pads/tampons much more often, or better yet, use CLOTH pads (nondisposable). Trust me, using non-disposable pads is not as gross as you think, and the cloth doesn't contain all those horrid chemicals that disposable rayon pads/tampons do (you'd be amazed at the bleaches and other toxins that are in those things). Cloth pads aren't as irritating to your female bits because there's no chemicals and they absorbe better. Example of cotton pads here: http://www.lunapads.com/

Does damp expercise clothes or swimsuits trigger you? Be extra careful to dry yourself when you're finished with those activities. If your UTIs are totally random, then you may end up taking daily antibiotics like TitaR, but that can sometimes cause problems with rebounding yeast infections. If you find out what your trigger is, you only need to take antibiotics during that time.

One last word: two UTIs in a year isn't likely to be enough for your doc to put you on a regular dose of antibiotics (called "preventitive antibiotics"). Watch for them like a hawk though....if you start getting more than 3 per year, or get consecutive UTIs (meaning one each month for several months), you'll need to go in and make a game plan.

Good luck! UTIs are sheer hell, but there is help out there.

Thanks... I was wondering if it could be related. I have never had a UTI before and the strange part about it is I don't have any burning.... just the urgent sensation to go. It makes it hard because that feeling comes and goes too.. Anyway, thanks for all the advice and I will be watchful.

Hi Renee,

My answer is a bit different. I was dx with Epstein Bar in early 2006, shortly thereafter I developed a UTI and was given antibiotics, During this time I was seeing the doctor regularly because he told me I would probably end up with immune disorders due to the EBV. Well sure enough I got Reynauds, Sjogrens, IBS and actually tested positive for RA but the rheumy thought I was one of those "normal" people who just have positive RF results (despite joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, etc...)So anyway, even when I went to see him I had to tell him all my drugs and by this time I was on a 3rd course of antibiotics for the UTI. Well by the time I was still testing positive for the UTI and also a bladder infection my doctor had tried every type of powerful antibiotic he could use. He finally sent me to a urologist who was a very cruel man, not even trying to measure my urethra he just stuck a tube in and I actually winced hard. The nurse held my hand and gave him a dirty look. He probably enjoys causing pain! Anyway, he told me I was fine and he did not see what all the fuss was about. Uhhhhhhh....I was currently in my 5th month of a UTI and a bladder infection!! He gave me no meds so I went back to my regular doctor who gave me another stronger antibiotic that actually made me vomit. But it finally worked!!! So the moral to this story is that I am beginning to think that RA is related to a LOT of other medical issues. I have bipolar and it seems like there are a LOT of bipolar people with RA. I am thinking of looking for a link. Good luck Renee, hope your feeling better. I HATE those things~~~just promise to stay away from the yeast infections!!!