Meds & Bladder Issues?

[RobbyR]

Hi all I have a couple questions for people who've been on Atripla for a few years (like me) or anyone who could offer insight..I have been having these sporadic (like every few months) urinary frequency issues and not sure what the cause is. I went to two different urologists and one said it might be benign prostate inflammation. I was put on a round of antibiodics for a few weeks and it seemed to help somewhat.

But again every few months I get these periods where I sometimes need to go very often even when very little urine comes out. I have had numerous urinealysis and nothing shows up.

My question is, could this be a kidney issue? I have only had this for like 1.5 years, and I have been on Atripla for nearly 3 years, and it has been wonderful for me overall. Once again my pee seems fine, normal color, etc, it's just the annoying frequency I get. I get this pressure in my bladder and makes me feel I need to urinate often even when I just have gone.

Would urinealysis show any kidney problems? I have heard of this medication causing kidney issues in some, just wondering if frequency could be a kidney problem. How about interstitial cystitis? I mentioned that to my urologist but he didn't think that was likely.

[Ann]

Robbie, as you may realise, I am not in possession of a prostate. (I have the occasional use of one, but I do not possess my own.) I can't really comment on prostate problems (although I know how to make good use of one!).

I do have all the other plumbing bits though (well, so my urethra is much shorter than yours, but you get the idea) and I know that sometimes a low-level bladder infection - one that isn't enough to be diagnosed through testing - can be the blame for urinary frequency/urgency when your bladder isn't actually full.

I've found over the years that cranberry can do wonders for this problem. If you don't like cranberry juice (and make sure what you're buying is JUICE, not "juice drink"), you can buy cranberry tablets very cheaply. I don't particularly like cranberry juice, so I go with the tablets.

I can get a bottle of 90 for around a quid. It will do you no harm to take these as a supplement and you just might find that your urinary problems cease. It wouldn't hurt to try and as I said, cranberry tablets can be bought very cheaply so no harm to your wallet either.

Cranberry tablets will also help male cats - and male cats can be notorious for having urinary infections. One of mine is prone to this problem and cranberry tablets take care of it every single time. When I used to take him to the vet to get antibiotics, the problem would go away for a while but always came back. Prophylactic cranberry has been a god-send for the little guy.

There is an acid in cranberries that creates an environment in your bladder/urethra that decreases and can even stop bacteria and other nasties from adhering to the lining of the bladder/urethra. That's how it works and why it also works as a prophylactic.

So anyway, give cranberry a try. It just may be what works for you and once again, it will not harm you in any way nor does it have any adverse interactions with any meds you may be taking.