HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - UTI

Becky · 04-21-2008, 03:43 AM

Dear Caya

I had 5 UTIs in 7 months. All were while on Herceptin (and I hadn't had any in my life prior to that, even while on chemo). However, my doctors felt it was due to vaginal atrophy from having an oophorectomy and then going on Arimidex. Not only is the vaginal lining thinned but the bladder is affected as well. My first one was about 5 months after the ooph/beginning of Arimidex. What solved the problem is that they seemed to be associated with intercourse. Since I had so many infections in a short time, my PCP wanted me to see a urologist. That Doctor put me on a propholactic dose of Macrobid 100. I had to take one tablet after sex. This pretty much solved the problem and I think I only had one in a very long time.

My bc is not highly hormone positive so eventually I used some topical estrogen cream but I use that very little now. I used more in the beginning to get the tissues "back in shape" but only use 1/4 of the dose 2X per month and I am good (and no more UTIs either - but I always have something with me because I know I'll be away on business and get one).

Also - take Cranberry tablets. They really do help. I take AZO brand (4-6 per day).

04-21-2008, 03:43 AM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Dear Caya I had 5 UTIs in 7 months. All were while on Herceptin (and I hadn't had any in my life prior to that, even while on chemo). However, my doctors felt it was due to vaginal atrophy from having an oophorectomy and then going on Arimidex. Not only is the vaginal lining thinned but the bladder is affected as well. My first one was about 5 months after the ooph/beginning of Arimidex. What solved the problem is that they seemed to be associated with intercourse. Since I had so many infections in a short time, my PCP wanted me to see a urologist. That Doctor put me on a propholactic dose of Macrobid 100. I had to take one tablet after sex. This pretty much solved the problem and I think I only had one in a very long time. My bc is not highly hormone positive so eventually I used some topical estrogen cream but I use that very little now. I used more in the beginning to get the tissues "back in shape" but only use 1/4 of the dose 2X per month and I am good (and no more UTIs either - but I always have something with me because I know I'll be away on business and get one). Also - take Cranberry tablets. They really do help. I take AZO brand (4-6 per day). __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"