JMG91
Veteran Member
I'm posting this for those interested in knowing how I treated a UTI/yeast infection combo without conventional antibiotics. Firstly, a background on this situation. Oddly enough, I was experiencing no symptoms whatsoever, then suddenly, one day, I had painful urination and even light blood in the urine. (I'm told that this indicates a rather serious UTI, but again, I'd had no other symptoms up to this point.) Seeing as this was my first UTI, I'll admit that I did something stupid at first; I started treatment immediately--and got good results--but stopped after only 3 days, not realizing how long you are supposed to treat these things. Whoops. I believe that allowed the bacteria to really take hold in there.
In all honesty, while I was trying to figure out what worked for me, this went on over a month and a half's time. Before anyone freaks out over that, I knew that, despite the fact that I was having trouble kicking the infections, I had them mostly under control. (I had been taking oregano oil, olive leaf extract, liquid vitamin D3, and drinking lots of unsweetened cranberry juice.) My symptoms actually disappeared within the first hour after starting treatment. Again, I ended treatment too soon, and then, had a difficult time getting rid of them again. I went through multiple ideas--and even went to the doctor in despair, believing I'd have to give in and get the antibiotics--but ultimately, nothing seemed to work.
Eventually, after doing some reading in an incredibly helpful book that I had picked up at Tractor Supply recently--it's called Herbal Medic by Sam Coffman--and learned some new things about bacterial infections. I realized that the reason my symptoms would go away but then come back a few days later was due to something called biofilms. Basically, a biofilm is a type of organic fortress that bacteria forms around itself in order to be able to colonize inside you without being destroyed. (Tooth plaque, believe it or not, is a type of biofilm as well.) So, while the methods I was using were destroying the bacteria inside the urethra that was OUTSIDE the biofilm, there was more bacteria colonizing underneath it.
Long story short, what you need to successfully treat a UTI--assuming something like D-Mannose by itself doesn't work for you within several days or so--is a biofilm disruptor. Several herbs that fall into this category would be Baikal Skullcap or Uva Ursi--these two are the ones recommended in Sam Coffman's UTI protocol. I do see a nutritionist who uses bio-feedback to help her clients, and I ended up testing for the Uva Ursi. In short, the final protocol I was using--and still am--is this:
(An important note before I list off the items. The reason there are so many is because I was fighting off both a UTI and a yeast infection, and also realized it was important to support my entire body while cleansing it. If your cleansing organs/systems become too stressed, they will be unable to beat the infections. My yeast issues were very systemic, and so, that's why my protocol concentrates so much on antifungals; you may not need those as much. However, it is important to know that most UTIs, while caused by bacteria, often take root when there is an underlying yeast issue. I've had a toenail fungus I've been trying to get rid of for years up to this point, and it is almost gone now.)
(Be aware that dosages may vary according to the individual--the extracts and blends all come with dosages on the bottles. I would recommend Herb Pharm; though I did take Mountain Meadow Herbs as well, Herb Pharm gave me the most potent results.)
I realize that this has turned into a rather lengthy post, but there's just so much that I've learned through this; despite the misery I experienced, I'm really grateful for having gone through it. I will say with regards to the D-Mannose, if you are also having yeast issues, you should only use the D-Mannose for as long as it takes to get rid of the burning urination; eventually, the D-Mannose, which is a sugar, will start working against you with regards to getting the yeast under control. I came to that realization when the burning urination disappeared, but I couldn't seem to get rid of the irritation down below. Stopping the D-Mannose helped with that.
This may seem like a lot of fuss to go through when I could just pop a pill from the doc and be done with it, but I believe that the issues the antibiotic would have given me later on would not have been worth it, and my yeast issues would have gotten much worse, as the antibiotic would have killed my good flora as well, leaving me with no defenses. Plus, it's good to know that I can treat myself at home, especially if there's ever a shortage of conventional drugs. Being a prepper, this is important to me. And, as I stated above, I feel much better overall, and know that I will be better off for having treated my whole body and not just the symptoms.
In all honesty, while I was trying to figure out what worked for me, this went on over a month and a half's time. Before anyone freaks out over that, I knew that, despite the fact that I was having trouble kicking the infections, I had them mostly under control. (I had been taking oregano oil, olive leaf extract, liquid vitamin D3, and drinking lots of unsweetened cranberry juice.) My symptoms actually disappeared within the first hour after starting treatment. Again, I ended treatment too soon, and then, had a difficult time getting rid of them again. I went through multiple ideas--and even went to the doctor in despair, believing I'd have to give in and get the antibiotics--but ultimately, nothing seemed to work.
Eventually, after doing some reading in an incredibly helpful book that I had picked up at Tractor Supply recently--it's called Herbal Medic by Sam Coffman--and learned some new things about bacterial infections. I realized that the reason my symptoms would go away but then come back a few days later was due to something called biofilms. Basically, a biofilm is a type of organic fortress that bacteria forms around itself in order to be able to colonize inside you without being destroyed. (Tooth plaque, believe it or not, is a type of biofilm as well.) So, while the methods I was using were destroying the bacteria inside the urethra that was OUTSIDE the biofilm, there was more bacteria colonizing underneath it.
Long story short, what you need to successfully treat a UTI--assuming something like D-Mannose by itself doesn't work for you within several days or so--is a biofilm disruptor. Several herbs that fall into this category would be Baikal Skullcap or Uva Ursi--these two are the ones recommended in Sam Coffman's UTI protocol. I do see a nutritionist who uses bio-feedback to help her clients, and I ended up testing for the Uva Ursi. In short, the final protocol I was using--and still am--is this:
(An important note before I list off the items. The reason there are so many is because I was fighting off both a UTI and a yeast infection, and also realized it was important to support my entire body while cleansing it. If your cleansing organs/systems become too stressed, they will be unable to beat the infections. My yeast issues were very systemic, and so, that's why my protocol concentrates so much on antifungals; you may not need those as much. However, it is important to know that most UTIs, while caused by bacteria, often take root when there is an underlying yeast issue. I've had a toenail fungus I've been trying to get rid of for years up to this point, and it is almost gone now.)
(Be aware that dosages may vary according to the individual--the extracts and blends all come with dosages on the bottles. I would recommend Herb Pharm; though I did take Mountain Meadow Herbs as well, Herb Pharm gave me the most potent results.)
- Dandelion extract (Mountain Meadow Herbs)--for liver support, and also as a secondary biofilm disruptor
- Femme Defense (a hormone balancer) (Mountain Meadow Herbs)--to help rebalance my reproductive system, as the yeast was affecting it big time
- Oregano Oil (with 80% carvacrol in it) 4 drops, twice a day (Natural Factors)--both antifungal and antibacterial
- Fungus Fighter (from Herb Pharm)--antifungal
- Uva Ursi (Herb Pharm)--biofilm disruptor
- Usnea (Herb Pharm)--cleanser and detoxifier
- D-Mannose (thank you, ladies on the Q thread, for introducing me to this)--a natural form of sugar that prevents the bacteria from being able to adhere to the walls of the urethra
- Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic; Braggs or Simple Truth) (1 tablespoon a day, no more, in a LARGE glass of water)--this will help to alkalinize the body, and make the environment unlivable for nasty organisms. Any more than a tablespoon, and you'll become acidic.
- Baking Soda Water (1 tsp. three times a day until symptoms cease, then lower the dosage as you feel you need to)--another alkalinizer
- Probiotic--for gut health (Not all probiotics are made equal; don't skimp on this, as it's one of the most vital parts of your protocol. I would recommend MegaFlora, as it actually works. The two previous probiotics that I took didn't do diddly squat, but once I began taking the MegaFlora, I started getting results.)
- Last and most important, I cut out all wheat and all sugar--even things like Stevia, which has a sugar content. I limited my fruit intake to 1 apple a day, and only berries, with no more than two fingers worth of orange juice to help me get down some of those extracts.
The only sweetener I made an exception for was xylitol, as it has no sugar content at all. I limited my dairy intake--mucus producers which can encourage the growth of yeast--to no more than 2 slices of cheese a day, and a VERY small bowl of plain yogurt, flavored with the xylitol. My diet mostly consists of green stuff and healthy fats and proteins, such as nuts and meat--although I mostly eat the dark meat from poultry, as it has more good fat in it. Honestly, I feel so good after changing my diet this way, I intend to keep it. (In a month and a half, I have gone from 190 lbs. to 179--and I've barely even been exercising! 
I have been trying to get rid of this weight since my daughter was born four years ago, but have not been able to get my body to metabolize; now I know why: my underlying yeast issues.) No sodas, no processed foods either. - Oh, and rest, rest, rest! Get plenty of good rest!
I realize that this has turned into a rather lengthy post, but there's just so much that I've learned through this; despite the misery I experienced, I'm really grateful for having gone through it. I will say with regards to the D-Mannose, if you are also having yeast issues, you should only use the D-Mannose for as long as it takes to get rid of the burning urination; eventually, the D-Mannose, which is a sugar, will start working against you with regards to getting the yeast under control. I came to that realization when the burning urination disappeared, but I couldn't seem to get rid of the irritation down below. Stopping the D-Mannose helped with that.
This may seem like a lot of fuss to go through when I could just pop a pill from the doc and be done with it, but I believe that the issues the antibiotic would have given me later on would not have been worth it, and my yeast issues would have gotten much worse, as the antibiotic would have killed my good flora as well, leaving me with no defenses. Plus, it's good to know that I can treat myself at home, especially if there's ever a shortage of conventional drugs. Being a prepper, this is important to me. And, as I stated above, I feel much better overall, and know that I will be better off for having treated my whole body and not just the symptoms.
