UTI's and AI's

I have been on Femara since 9/1/07 and have had 2 uti's since then....never really had any before that.   Was pretty darn sick the   first one...high fever and chills.   I haven't heard that was a side effect though...food for thought.   I might just have to research that.

Liz, you read the truth.(I bet you didnt read it in a LEF mag.)

Personally, I had my UTIs before bc, during natural menopause.Which does the same thing to the body as starting an AI.Depletes estrogen.

I even, on the fourth  of July one year, seemed to be urinating blood.(festive!)The doc covering for my gyno said this is actually common in early menopause as the body gets used to the new estrogen level.It was a tiny fissure in my bladder wall which bled into my urine.

More of that UTI antiboitic.This one turned my urine orange.

I had cystitis, and cystitis which came from yeast infections which were caused by having sex with my new menopausal dry and brittle set-up.

I stopped them, finally, and still before bc by never using deoderant soap in the shower, never using any bath gel which had chemicals in it, and (best of all) getting rid of my husband.

I realize this solution isnt suitable for most womn.

The short answer..yes menopause ad AIs cause UTIs.

I think the connection between AI's and UTI's is largely due to the atrophying effect of nil estrogen. The same problems do occur commonly for women who are post-menopausal anyway; for those of us who experienced an overnight menopause due to chemo and then the lack of estrogen from an AI will obviously be more likely to experience this and more frequently.

Sam

I have not yet had a UTI,  but have noticed very frequent trips to the bathroom to pee, more than usual, and am wondering if it is somehow connected to Femara?  Anyone else?  And, while I am on the topic of possible SE's - how about blurry vision, not all the time, but for an hour or two most every day???

Debra

mets to bone 8/07

Sashiko,



I researched alternative therapies for chronic urinary tract infections for my nursing-home bound Dad last year.



The one which stood out is D-Mannose. I believe it works by coating the bladder walls (it's a sugar) and hence does not allow the bacteria to attached to the bladder surface, so they flush out, enhanced perhaps by a good amount of cranberry juice or just plain water. What I liked about it was it's non-interference with blood sugar levels or multiple drugs being prescribed. There were some human research studies done too, showing efficacy, which is always reassuring.



Regrettably, with such low estrogen, the lower bladder and urethra (tube to outside) are affected too, as they are estrogen sensitive.



Good luck

Tender

If the suggestions do not work I would try a Urologist. 

Shirley

I used to get UTIs rather frequently before breast cancer diagnosis, always after sex. I have been on anastrozole for 3+ years and have had none so far. Maybe it's because I am using more extra lubrication before sex now due to vaginal dryness caused by anastrozole.

I'm doing all of the things for prevention. And then.all sorts of other things!