Alka-Seltzer for bladder pain-why it's legit!

[betheny]

I know a lot of us have tried Alka-Seltzer and it works. I take it a lot for bladder spasms so I can sleep. It's like an old wives tale we hand around to each other, but no doctor ever validates. I saw in a thread that someone recommended an Australian product, Citravescent Effervescent Granules, for bladder troubles...it made me wonder. What is this Australian med that we don't have in the US?

Googled it, these are the symptoms it's for:

* Burning or stinging when passing urine?
* Need to pass urine more often?
* Passing only small amounts of urine at a time?
* Fever, feeling unwell, chills?
* Pain in the lower stomach or lower back?

What it is:

"Citravescent is a urinary and systematic alkaliniser for kidney and urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. It is in the form of effervescent granules."

Active Ingredients: Sodium citro-tartrate (equivalent to 2g sodium bicarbonate per 4 g effervescent granules).

It's the same thing as Alka Seltzer, w/out the aspirin!

[bob clark]

Originally Posted by betheny

I know a lot of us have tried Alka-Seltzer and it works. I take it a lot for bladder spasms so I can sleep. It's like an old wives tale we hand around to each other, but no doctor ever validates. I saw in a thread that someone recommended an Australian product, Citravescent Effervescent Granules, for bladder troubles...it made me wonder. What is this Australian med that we don't have in the US?

Googled it, these are the symptoms it's for:

* Burning or stinging when passing urine?
* Need to pass urine more often?
* Passing only small amounts of urine at a time?
* Fever, feeling unwell, chills?
* Pain in the lower stomach or lower back?

What it is:

"Citravescent is a urinary and systematic alkaliniser for kidney and urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. It is in the form of effervescent granules."

Active Ingredients: Sodium citro-tartrate (equivalent to 2g sodium bicarbonate per 4 g effervescent granules).

It's the same thing as Alka Seltzer, w/out the aspirin!

Hi Betheny,

Although I've read about it here at the CC forums I've never tried Alka-Seltzer for moderating the level of bacteria in my bladder or for preventing and perhaps curing a UTI. I've been bacterially uncolonized for almost 2 years. Hey, I was getting a UTI every month or two before my new cathing technique so I've earned bragging rights! Funny what becomes important in the life of a SCI.

But there now appears to be two opposing schools of thought on the pH level of urine in the bladder as it concerns bacterial growth. Some try to keep their urine very acidic by taking mega doses of Vitamin C and herbal or "food supplements" and even prescription drugs (is it Hyprex?) to inhibit bacterial growth in their bladder.

And we also have those who claim that alkalinity is the way to go. Using Alka-Seltzer and/or the Citravescent Effervescent Granules that you just wrote about (to use brand names) as alkalinisers.

What's going on? Is it just that bacteria prefer urine that's pH neutral (7.0) or close to it in order to live happily and multiply and that any significant deviation from near neutral is detrimental to it?

Hmmm, maybe the Nurse will know. This is practically the exact definition of polar opposites.

I've seen infommercials selling a certain brand of sea coral that's supposed to make your whole body alkaline and thereby healthier. I always thought that homeostasis required a normal human being to be a bit on the acidic side.

Originally Posted by Betheny

It's the same thing as Alka Seltzer, w/out the aspirin!

May as well take the Alka-Seltzer with the aspirin. You may be preventing a heart attack while dealing with a bacterial colonization or UTI. Killing two bad birds with one product. Although only 81mgs of aspirin is the recommended dose for heart health and stroke prevention. And only after consultation with a heart healthcare professional.

But if a little aspirin is good it only makes sense that a whole lot more would be better. Just kidding.

Bob.

[betheny]

Bob, I don't know if it cures a UTI, but it does help w/ symptoms. I get painful bladder at times even w/ no UTI, and have been using the Alka-seltzer occasionally for that for several years. My urologist just shrugged like I'm crazy, and said "I don't guess it can hurt anything."

[SCI-Nurse]

Hi,

I wish I could give you a very straightforward answer on this but I agree with above-everyone has their own opinion on a acidic or basic environment.

It is dependent on whether the bacteria causing your symptoms grows better or is inhibited in a particular environment. Additionally, there are hundreds of bacteria types.

I've known people who ascribe to both of these camps and I would say that if one works for you and causing no major problems, then stick with it. The scientific literature does not appear to support either side.

AAD

[Lizbv]

I tried it, it works a little to take off the "edge" but does not work for my uti's.

[Sue Pendleton]

I use the Tylenol versions of Alka-Seltzer and it works on the constant, burning, gotta go NOW and then cath all of 50cc's pain. Vitamin C just makes my legs burn, even just 500mg, like I had gasoline running through my veins.