How to Completely Empty Your Bladder in One Trip to the Bathroom

Recurrent UTI's are very annoying. Assuming your doctor has ruled out other causes for your UTI's (ex: cystitis, kidney diseases, etc.), then I may have some useful suggestions for you.

1. For the pain and burning, you can use any over the counter remedy (Cystex, etc.) for burning. But many doctors prescribe Pyridium in addition to antibiotics. If your doctor does not, you might want to ask for it.

Some FYI: Pyridium eliminates bladder spasms and that twingy pain while urinating. But, it also turns your urine orange, will stain your underwear and toilet bowl (spray bowl with any Bathroom Cleaner with added bleach), and is toxic to the liver and kidneys - only if used for longer than two days. For that reason, doctors usually only order a small amount - usually 10 to 12 pills so the patient can't overdo it. Usually by the second day of UTI, the antibiotic has kicked in and Pyridium is no longer needed.

To determine if you actually need (or want) Pyridium, on your next UTI, go through treatment using only antibiotics and keep some notes on how you are feeling with twingy pain and amount of urine output for the first two days.

Then, the next time you get a UTI, ask for Pyridium (200mg tabs) and take it as prescribed - one every 6 hours just for 2 days and then stop. Again, keep some notes on pain and urine output. Then compare.

You won't even have to look at your notes because you will know after the first day of Pyridium that it is preferable to using antibiotics alone.

The trick to moving UTI's out of your body quickly is to drink plenty of water - not just any liquids - WATER! You will urinate more frequently, but know the infection is moving out of your body that much quicker. With Pyridium, if you are still burning and eeking out urine after the first day of use, it means you are not getting enough water. So, increase water intake.

2. I used ergonomic tricks for over 30 years to stave off self-cathing, because I worried about getting more infections from self-cathing.

It may sound silly and look absolutely absurd, but who cares, it works. Many people have written to tell me they used to go to the bathroom 5 or 6 times during the night, interrupting restful sleep. They write of their amazement of getting 4 to 6 hours sleep - all at one time, just by doing this before going to bed at night.

If you also do this in the morning, you can be assured of at least 2 to 4 hours of bladder comfort. During the day, you move around more and the bladder is more active than at nighttime. I, myself, use this method every single time I go to the bathroom, so that I only relieve my bladder 4 times a day, when it used to be 10 to 15 times a day.

Male and Female -- FIRST, Relieve yourself in sitting position. When you think the stream is done, don't get up. Bend forward to a 45 degree angle and hold position for 60-90 secs in relax mode. Let any urine release. Now lean to your right side, lifting left buttock off the toilet seat. Hold position for 60 seconds in relax mode and release any urine. Now lean to your left side, lifting up right buttock. Hold for 60 seconds in relax mode and release any urine. Believe me, this works!

Body positioning is key for this to work. You will be good and comfortable for minimum two hours because you are empty. Try to limit your intake of caffeine: tea, coffee, juices, alcholic drinks, or energy drinks, since they stimulate your bladder moreso. Stick to water, about 3 bottles of sixteen ounces each, spread out over your day.

Stop drinking about 2 hours before bedtime. Write the bathroom down on your schedule as the last thing you do before going to "sleep" for the night.

You will sleep.

As an aside, always empty your bladder before sex and again after sex. This also helps to eliminate the re-occurrence of that "I think I'm getting a UTI" feeling on the morning after sex. There is no sense treating for what you "think" is a UTI coming on, when in fact, it is just an irritated bladder from sexual intercourse. Drink more water throughout the next day and you should be fine.

3. So many items are scented these days, sometimes we don't even notice it.

Keep track of the hygenic paper products you use - are they perfumed or stored in an area where you store cleaning products where the scent can carryover? Do you use scented feminine products (douches, pads, paper products)? Are you a powder user? Do you wear nylon clothing next to your body without the benefit of a cotton barrier (underwear or inserts)?

Do you use a scented toilet paper holder to roll out pleasant smells when someone uses the toilet paper? That scent remains on the toilet paper!

Do you use toilet paper that has colored print or advertising on the sheets? Some are really pretty, especially holiday art. All these suggestions are something to think about and consider.

4. Regarding foods - which is often the biggest culprit after scented products - I found that cinnamon was my personal culprit.

It seemed that when I treated myself to homemade chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake (cinnamon in the crust), or anything that had cinnamon as an ingredient, within 3 days I had a UTI.

It took more than three months for me to figure this out, because of the many ingredients in foods.

So read your labels, keep a food diary (write down everything!) and see if your UTI trigger is food related. A food diary may be the only way to narrow this down. Read food labels!

5. Neurogenic bladders often do not totally empty and that is the reason why most people with Multiple Sclerosis and other diseases that affect bladder control must self-cath. Self-cathing the first time will be hit or miss until you get to know where YOUR urethea is located in your anatomy.

The position you assume to self-cath can be awkward and (if in the company of others) sometimes embarrassing. But sometimes you need another set of hands to help you, so don't hesitate to ask a special someone.

***Self-catherization is the last resort....you don't want to go there if you don't have to. But if you do, positioning in order to self-cath is the hardest part. Experiment with what works best for you. It will certainly require some getting used to also.

Men do not seem to have a problem because of their anatomy being visible and easily accessible. Women, on the other hand, may run into some challenges.

Some women can put a bended leg up on the toilet, use a hand held mirror in one hand and the lubricated catheter in the other and insert. Other women can squat down to within 10-12 inches of the floor, place a hand held mirror on the floor and insert. Some women can sit on the toilet and bend back far enough and insert.

Still others can lie down in bed, bring knees up to chest and using a hand held mirror (or not) then insert. Once you get to know where your urethea is located, you can actually stand, spread your legs and insert, but that takes a while of practicing to get the hang of it.

Self-cathing has its pros and cons. The cons, of course, are possibly re-infecting yourself by using less than clean conditions and re-using catheters. Self-catheters should be used once, and then thrown away. The pros are endless, but include hours of comfort, extra sleep during the night, and reducing embarrassing moments.

6. Catheters in general. At some point, many of us must resign ourselves to the fact that we need a catheter in place all the time. Catheters can be intra-urethral or super-pubic (inserted through a tube in the belly).

Some people realize that a catheter in place during a long car ride, plane ride, etc. assisted by a leg or belly bag can be most comfortable and reduce stops thereby making the driver happy! A Johnny or Jane bottle is also handy.

As for sleeping, catheters assisted by a bed bag (drop bag), most certainly will eliminate bathroom runs and allow for a full night's sleep. I use a bed bag every time I get a UTI so that I do not run to the bathroom constantly, only to eek out a few drops. Restful sleep is paramount when you are sick like that.

A reminder to ANYONE who takes bladder medication (ex: Detrol, etc.) to deter urine output (not people who take medication to promote urine output - ex: Lasix): When you get a UTI, the last thing you want to do is restrict urine output.

I, myself, stop my Detrol until antibiotics are done. I want the infection OUT as soon as possible and do not want the urine to stay in.

Consult your doctor first before you make changes in your medication schedule.

Last, but not least, if you like scented toilet paper, and want to keep it in your bathroom, allow others to use it. For yourself, keep your own roll of unscented, unprinted toilet paper. Only you will know you are using it. Again, do not store it in areas where cleaning fluids are stored.

I hope you find some useful information here. Leave a comment of your experience or results. Please answer my poll. Questions are welcomed.

© Copyright Anne DiGeorge 2009