UTI FEARS

[AWE]

One of my greatest fears is getting a UTI because antibiotics are always needed. Through Dr. Sarno's books I healed my back pain and carpal tunnel. But that seemed logical to me. I believed it and it worked. But a UTI is different because it always requires antibiotics which after a while don't work. Has anyone found TMS to work for uti's? I was even positive this last year that I wouldn't get one, but no, it's here again. I am so frustrated.

 

[Cactusflower]

In cases of symptoms like this, it is important to get diagnosed and treat real illness or, have peace of mind that it’s only TMS when they can’t find anything wrong.
The mind can create any symptom. Stress can create symptoms and illness. It’s important to treat the illness and also use your TMS skills to not freak out and catastrophize.

 

[AWE]

In cases of symptoms like this, it is important to get diagnosed and treat real illness or, have peace of mind that it’s only TMS when they can’t find anything wrong.
The mind can create any symptom. Stress can create symptoms and illness. It’s important to treat the illness and also use your TMS skills to not freak out and catastrophize.

Thank you for replying CatusFlower! Yes, I am treating now with antibiotics, but I can't help feeling discouraged when I know the immune system can be changed due to stress, etc. , and TMS has worked for me on various other issues.

 

[Cactusflower]

Thank you for replying CatusFlower! Yes, I am treating now with antibiotics, but I can't help feeling discouraged when I know the immune system can be changed due to stress, etc. , and TMS has worked for me on various other issues.

What is “discouraged”?
Angry
Sad
Defeated
Victimized

Personally, I think there are always ways to utilize our TMS skills. One way is not to give things like illness power over you. It’s a normal function of the human body to become ill and then repair to be well. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
Would you be “discouraged” over a friend getting a UTI, a cold, a stomach bug or would you recognize that it is temporary and wellness will return?
Recognizing that fear and focus on health issues -generalized health anxiety is a thought pattern habit, one of those negative mindset rabbit holes often associated with people who have TMS deal with may help you break this habit of fear and worry.
Claire Weekes is an excellent read to learn how to deal with these thoughts that create the anxieties. So helpful and reassuring.

 

[Ellen]

There are several OTC supplements that soothe the urinary tract between actual infections. You might find these helpful in addition to addressing your emotions and thoughts. You could ask your pharmacist to recommend one. It may have a placebo effect also, which is a real MindBody treatment that can be helpful at times.

 

[AWE]

What is “discouraged”?
Angry
Sad
Defeated
Victimized

Personally, I think there are always ways to utilize our TMS skills. One way is not to give things like illness power over you. It’s a normal function of the human body to become ill and then repair to be well. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
Would you be “discouraged” over a friend getting a UTI, a cold, a stomach bug or would you recognize that it is temporary and wellness will return?
Recognizing that fear and focus on health issues -generalized health anxiety is a thought pattern habit, one of those negative mindset rabbit holes often associated with people who have TMS deal with may help you break this habit of fear and worry.
Claire Weekes is an excellent read to learn how to deal with these thoughts that create the anxieties. So helpful and reassuring.

T

What is “discouraged”?
Angry
Sad
Defeated
Victimized

Personally, I think there are always ways to utilize our TMS skills. One way is not to give things like illness power over you. It’s a normal function of the human body to become ill and then repair to be well. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
Would you be “discouraged” over a friend getting a UTI, a cold, a stomach bug or would you recognize that it is temporary and wellness will return?
Recognizing that fear and focus on health issues -generalized health anxiety is a thought pattern habit, one of those negative mindset rabbit holes often associated with people who have TMS deal with may help you break this habit of fear and worry.
Claire Weekes is an excellent read to learn how to deal with these thoughts that create the anxieties. So helpful and reassuring.

Thank you, and I guess I feel discouraged because this has become a pattern. I seem to get these UTIs, and I do need to work on this fear. It has been difficult to shake because it requires medical attention with antibiotics. Other TMS issues are definitely my thoughts and they go away. I hate antibiotics though. I never thought of illness as a normal part of the human body. I have thought of it as a flaw in my system, as this UTI stuff holds me back from continuing to be in excellent health.

 

[AWE]

There are several OTC supplements that soothe the urinary tract between actual infections. You might find these helpful in addition to addressing your emotions and thoughts. You could ask your pharmacist to recommend one. It may have a placebo effect also, which is a real MindBody treatment that can be helpful at times.

Thank you, I was taking TheraCran for over a year and I believed it was working. Since I have UTI now I am discouraged about the supplement. It came highly recommended. I intend to find a different supplement so I can have success like others who never get done for years.

 

[AWE]

Thank you, I was taking TheraCran for over a year and I believed it was working. Since I have UTI now I am discouraged about the supplement. It came highly recommended. I intend to find a different supplement so I can have success like others who never get them for years.

 

[Ellen]

Thank you, I was taking TheraCran for over a year and I believed it was working. Since I have UTI now I am discouraged about the supplement. It came highly recommended. I intend to find a different supplement so I can have success like others who never get done for years.

I took one of the AZO brand after it was recommended by my doctor. It worked well for me. FYI: it turned my urine bright orange, so be warned.

 

[AWE]

I took one of the AZO brand after it was recommended by my doctor. It worked well for me. FYI: it turned my urine bright orange, so be warned.

Thank you I will check it out. The bright orange color sounds like it was for UTI pain. I heard that turns urine orange.

 

[Cactusflower]

"I feel discouraged"

Discouraged is a state of mind, not an emotion. I have a feeling you sometimes get stuck actually feeling and being able to label emotions. It's pretty common around here. So many of us were never taught this skill.
It's ok to be frustrated, angry, annoyed etc at this kind of symptom - it kindles that fear.
I suggest you try and name the fear. Write down what you think will really happen to you if you get a UTI. This can really help the rational brain. Allow yourself to feel emotions associated with what you write down.

You mention the UTI's have become a pattern. I'd also suggest, if you do try writing things down, that you look at patterns of thought and behavior you find yourself in, when the UTI's happen. Sarno talks about personality types, there are also people who have a lot of negative internal talk (specifically about themselves), tend to see things as glass half empty instead of glass half full, folks who tend to follow black and white thinking patterns etc. Look at those patterns and see if you can get more insight into your anxiety and stress patterns.

 

[AWE]

"I feel discouraged"

Discouraged is a state of mind, not an emotion. I have a feeling you sometimes get stuck actually feeling and being able to label emotions. It's pretty common around here. So many of us were never taught this skill.
It's ok to be frustrated, angry, annoyed etc at this kind of symptom - it kindles that fear.
I suggest you try and name the fear. Write down what you think will really happen to you if you get a UTI. This can really help the rational brain. Allow yourself to feel emotions associated with what you write down.

You mention the UTI's have become a pattern. I'd also suggest, if you do try writing things down, that you look at patterns of thought and behavior you find yourself in, when the UTI's happen. Sarno talks about personality types, there are also people who have a lot of negative internal talk (specifically about themselves), tend to see things as glass half empty instead of glass half full, folks who tend to follow black and white thinking patterns etc. Look at those patterns and see if you can get more insight into your anxiety and stress patterns.

Thank you Those are good ideas. The fear and discouragement I believe come from things in life. Things that have happened and things I saw happening to others. I fit what Steven Ozanich said in his book about the TMS type of personality.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Yes, I am treating now with antibiotics, but I can't help feeling discouraged when I know the immune system can be changed due to stress,

There it is - the infamous - and all-too-common - "Yes, But..." response! Believe me, you're not alone, @AWE.

The others know that I have determined that this is a TMS syndrome - partly because it is absolutely a function of the TMS brain, but also because the lengthy list of TMS conditions contains many so-called syndromes with names that simply repeat the symptoms and tell us nothing else, and I just had to add one to the list. Obviously, this one is Yes, But... Syndrome. YBS.

Seriously, I can assure you that this is not a choice you are consciously making. It is a function of your dysfunctional and primitive TMS brain, which just wants you to keep spinning your wheels and not actually accomplishing anything. It really does not care about your quality of life as long as you're still surviving. It doesn't care if you need antibiotics because it knows that you know that they are always there as a last resort and that you'll never allow yourself to get too sick to survive.

This is your brain on TMS.

If you are reeeeaally serious about doing this work, the first thing on your list of goals must be learning how to avoid YBS. These are the reasons to give it up:
1. it is a subtle rejection of the advice you've been given - and while not obviously hostile by any means, people will eventually stop bothering.
2. it is a form of self-pity, which is unappealing and turns people off.
3. it is one of the signs of a victimhood mentality, which is more serious than temporary self-pity, because it can seriously get in the way of recovery, as well as relationships and career.

"Yes, But... I'm just too fearful/discouraged/held back/anxious/worried..." etc etc etc leads me to ask the following: What are you fighting for? Is it to stay sick, or to get well?

If you are ready to fight to get well, start by working the Structured Educational Program (the one on the main wiki) to learn how to incorporate the ideas that @Cactusflower is talking about - do this in addition to reading the essential Claire Weekes (the #2 book that saved me after Sarno). Once you face and accept the negative emotions that your brain has been repressing, while learning how to control your anxiety when new stressors come along, your entire immune system will be stronger. Many people have proved this to be quite achievable, and you can too.

 

[AWE]

There it is - the infamous - and all-too-common - "Yes, But..." response! Believe me, you're not alone, @AWE.

The others know that I have determined that this is a TMS syndrome - partly because it is absolutely a function of the TMS brain, but also because the lengthy list of TMS conditions contains many so-called syndromes with names that simply repeat the symptoms and tell us nothing else, and I just had to add one to the list. Obviously, this one is Yes, But... Syndrome. YBS.

Seriously, I can assure you that this is not a choice you are consciously making. It is a function of your dysfunctional and primitive TMS brain, which just wants you to keep spinning your wheels and not actually accomplishing anything. It really does not care about your quality of life as long as you're still surviving. It doesn't care if you need antibiotics because it knows that you know that they are always there as a last resort and that you'll never allow yourself to get too sick to survive.

This is your brain on TMS.

If you are reeeeaally serious about doing this work, the first thing on your list of goals must be learning how to avoid YBS. These are the reasons to give it up:
1. it is a subtle rejection of the advice you've been given - and while not obviously hostile by any means, people will eventually stop bothering.
2. it is a form of self-pity, which is unappealing and turns people off.
3. it is one of the signs of a victimhood mentality, which is more serious than temporary self-pity, because it can seriously get in the way of recovery, as well as relationships and career.

"Yes, But... I'm just too fearful/discouraged/held back/anxious/worried..." etc etc etc leads me to ask the following: What are you fighting for? Is it to stay sick, or to get well?

If you are ready to fight to get well, start by working the Structured Educational Program (the one on the main wiki) to learn how to incorporate the ideas that @Cactusflower is talking about - do this in addition to reading the essential Claire Weekes (the #2 book that saved me after Sarno). Once you face and accept the negative emotions that your brain has been repressing, while learning how to control your anxiety when new stressors come along, your entire immune system will be stronger. Many people have proved this to be quite achievable, and you can too.

Thank you for your response and ideas. I really need to accept that UTIs are TMS caused by my idiotic brain playing these old tapes. And in spite of what I have been told by others who don't believe in TMS for this issue. Yes there is a lot of stressful situations going on caused by various factors including our society we live in that doesn't accept TMS. I'm happy when I don't have this medical issue, but obviously my subconscious mind won't let it go. I will fight it. I will also look up essential Claire Weekes (the #2 book), and I've been reading about the structured Educational Program. Thanks for mentioning it. This is the most difficult medical issue for me. Others I have healed with TMS. Obviously my mind knows this. Thank you .

 

[JanAtheCPA]

I just realized that it might not be totally clear where to find information from Claire Weekes. The page about her that is on the main tmswiki.org is http://www.tmswiki.org/ppd/Overcome_Anxiety_with_Dr._Claire_Weekes (Overcome Anxiety with Dr. Claire Weekes) (Cactusflower linked to it above) which gives you an idea of who she was, and some links (not all of them are still working). The specific book I mentioned is Hope & Help For Your Nerves, which she wrote in the 1960s! Apparently that's the title of the book in the US, but it was different title worldwide (she was Australian). That book alone has saved thousands of people all over the world in the last 50+ years.

 

[AWE]

I just realized that it might not be totally clear where to find information from Claire Weekes. The page about her that is on the main tmswiki.org is http://www.tmswiki.org/ppd/Overcome_Anxiety_with_Dr._Claire_Weekes (Overcome Anxiety with Dr. Claire Weekes) (Cactusflower linked to it above) which gives you an idea of who she was, and some links (not all of them are still working). The specific book I mentioned is Hope & Help For Your Nerves, which she wrote in the 1960s! Apparently that's the title of the book in the US, but it was different title worldwide (she was Australian). That book alone has saved thousands of people all over the world in the last 50+ years.

Thank you so much. I will check it out

 

[homorobothead]

@JanAtheCPA, @Cactusflower, and @Ellen have already done such an excellent job at addressing the mindbody aspect, I just wanted to reach out and tell you a few little tips and tricks that finally helped me get my UTIs under control.

I saw this post and just wanted to let you know that I've had excellent luck with Naturalife Labs D-mannose and Cranberry, and then right after I've has sex or ridden my bike (two major UTI triggers for me) I take a scoop of Naturebell D-mannose powder.

The D-mannose is awesome because it makes the lining of your bladder slippery, so bacteria can't attach and then when you drink a bunch of water it flushes those little suckers right out, which gives you something to imagine when your bladder feels irritated, so it helps with the mindbody aspect.

I also gave up coffee and bought a bidet and that really helped too!

Obviously, I'm not a doctor and you should definitely check with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, but I went from having 4 or 5 UTIS a year, down to one and that's only when I'm super stressed out.

My doctor is a female Marine and she told me (hilariously) to insist my husband (who is also a Marine) "wash his freaking penis." They recently did a study where they did a genome analysis of the bacteria in women with bladder infections and 90% of them were actually from their male partners. So, if you have a male partner and are sexually active, that may be a cause.

 

[AWE]

@JanAtheCPA, @Cactusflower, and @Ellen have already done such an excellent job at addressing the mindbody aspect, I just wanted to reach out and tell you a few little tips and tricks that finally helped me get my UTIs under control.

I saw this post and just wanted to let you know that I've had excellent luck with Naturalife Labs D-mannose and Cranberry, and then right after I've has sex or ridden my bike (two major UTI triggers for me) I take a scoop of Naturebell D-mannose powder.

The D-mannose is awesome because it makes the lining of your bladder slippery, so bacteria can't attach and then when you drink a bunch of water it flushes those little suckers right out, which gives you something to imagine when your bladder feels irritated, so it helps with the mindbody aspect.

I also gave up coffee and bought a bidet and that really helped too!

Obviously, I'm not a doctor and you should definitely check with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, but I went from having 4 or 5 UTIS a year, down to one and that's only when I'm super stressed out.

My doctor is a female Marine and she told me (hilariously) to insist my husband (who is also a Marine) "wash his freaking penis." They recently did a study where they did a genome analysis of the bacteria in women with bladder infections and 90% of them were actually from their male partners. So, if you have a male partner and are sexually active, that may be a cause.

Thank you so much for the information. I will check out what you suggested. I previously looked on Amazon and saw Solaray cranactin with d mannose. Not sure how good that one is.