Re: PA, Sex and Cystitis (please note some reader's may...

[Guest guest]

I'm a lurker too. But I just had laser bladder surgery for the second time in

four years this week for Cystitis. Antibiotics weren't effective in getting

rid of the cystitis. I've had PA for almost ten years now although I was

lucky enough to have it go into remission for a period of about three years.

My current flare is at two years and counting--and I'm currently on MXT. I'm

going to ask my urologist if there's a link that he knows of between PA and

cystitis but to me, it just seems non-coincidental that so many of us have

problems with both.

[Guest guest]

I had frequent bouts with cystitis as well as painful intercourse while on

methotrexate for 5-1/2 years. Interestingly, I had to stop taking

methotrexate eventually because of blood in urine and stools for 2-3 days

after taking dose once a week. I have not had cystitis since going off the

methotrexate. I experience vaginal dryness, but no pain during intercourse

(your term 'tearing' is an apt description of what the pain felt like on

methotrexate).

Could this, too, be yet another side effect of methotrexate?

Re: [ ] PA, Sex and Cystitis (please note some

reader's may...

> I'm a lurker too. But I just had laser bladder surgery for the second time

in

> four years this week for Cystitis. Antibiotics weren't effective in

getting

> rid of the cystitis. I've had PA for almost ten years now although I was

> lucky enough to have it go into remission for a period of about three

years.

> My current flare is at two years and counting--and I'm currently on MXT.

I'm

> going to ask my urologist if there's a link that he knows of between PA

and

> cystitis but to me, it just seems non-coincidental that so many of us have

> problems with both.

[Guest guest]

Well, I wouldn't normally share this, but before I was on any

medication for arthritis and before I had any obvious symptoms of

arthritis, I had on-going problems with UTIs (urinary tract

infections) after sexual intercourse. I was on antibiotics a LOT

before and after the arthritis was diagnosed. I tried all the home

remedies like vitamin C and cranberry juice which had zero effect.

My doctor finally started me on 1-2 Macrodantin (generic:

Nitrofurantoin) after intercourse and I haven't had any recurring

problems since. Macrodantin is a very lightweight antibiotic that

clears out of your system pretty quickly so it doesn't produce any

resistance. In addition, extra lubrication seems to help tremendously

in reducing the cystitis. This has been working for me for over 4

years now.

I don't know if the UTIs/cystitis could be an effect of the psoriasis,

which might change delicate tissues, or the arthritis. I haven't had

any extra side-effects with methotrexate.

-Meghan

> I had frequent bouts with cystitis as well as painful intercourse

while on

> methotrexate for 5-1/2 years. Interestingly, I had to stop taking

> methotrexate eventually because of blood in urine and stools for 2-3

days

> after taking dose once a week. I have not had cystitis since going

off the

> methotrexate. I experience vaginal dryness, but no pain during

intercourse

> (your term 'tearing' is an apt description of what the pain felt like on

> methotrexate).

>

> Could this, too, be yet another side effect of methotrexate?

>

[Guest guest]

About a year ago I was diagnosed with Interstial Cystitis after

recurring episodes of feeling like I had an infection but did not.

There has been some research that this may also be an autimmune

disorder, but I have not had this verified by the rheumatologist or

urologist. You can read an overview at the National Kidney and

Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse,

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/urolog/pubs/cystitis/cystitis.htm

Has anyone else been diagnosed with this disorder? I'm lucky that I

just have it flair up irregularly and can get by without medications.

Andy