24/03/09 at 11:27 AM

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I don't know if anyone is still watching this thread, but for what it's worth here is my story with
ureaplasma.  For about 16 months I had pelvic pain, pain in the vagina, pain in the back
passage & urinary frequency.  At first I was given simple painkillers, then Urispas in case it was
a bladder spasm.  Then I was told I had a polyp in my womb, but a hysteroscopy revealed this
not to be the case.  My GP had taken loads of swabs - all came back negative, so I
eventually had a private PCR assay carried out on my urine and this came back showing
ureaplasma detected.  You don't have to go to London to get this done.  There is an online
clinic (http://www.thesticlinic.com) who will send you a kit in the post to provide a sample, you
mail it back and then they will email you the results and provide medication if necessary for
you and your partner.  If you only want the ureaplasma test done then when you get to the
website click on "other tests" on the right and that will take you to the correct screen.

Anyway, the online clinic wouldn't prescribe for me as I was still bleeding from the
investigations into whether I had a polyp in the womb; and my GP had never heard of
ureaplasma, so I asked my to be referred to another specialist and I saw a urogynaecologist. 
Despite a very painful internal exam, she diagnosed overactive bladder, suggested nothing
more than bladder training, and shrugged her shoulders when I mentioned ureaplasma, saying
that it was of no importance.

I finally persuaded my GP to prescribe the right antibiotics for ureaplasma.  Doxycyline gave
me headaches, so I took azithromycin, and so did my husband.

Although the pain continued for some time after the antibiotics, I had another test for
ureaplasm and this time it came back undetected.  Pain gradually eased over the subsequent
weeks, and I believe that what happens is the antibiotic will clear the "infection" but it takes
some time for the inflammation and scarring it has caused to heal.

I say "infection" in inverted commas because, as I understand it, ureaplasma is present

harmlessly in 75-80% of the adult population, but in some people it can grow to pathogenic
proportions and cause problems - pelvic inflammatory disease in women and urethreitis in
men.  It is not considered an STI, although it can be passed sexually (a bit like thrush in that
sense)

Just to be on the safe side, because IC was mentioned to me as a possible cause of my

condition, I have also just had a cystoscopy, and nothing unusual was found.  So, apart from
the possibility of bladder spasms, there can be nothing else other than PID from ureaplasma
that could have caused my problems.

The BIG problems, as has already been discussed, is that the NHS (even GU clinics) don't test
for it; and even the medical community is divided as to whether it causes PID in women. 
However, all I can say is once I took the antibiotics I felt better within about eight weeks.  So it
is definitely worth getting checked for it.
 UREAPLASMA UREALYTICUM
ureaplasma is a "disease" that doctors still do not have all the answers to. it is
transmitted sexually and can lead to reproductive problems. this is because it can
destroy the little hairs in a woman's fallopian tubes that push the egg into her uterus.
this causes the egg to grow in the fallopian tubes which will then cause the fallopian
tubes to burst, which will kill the woman. some doctors, however, do not believe
ureaplasma causes this and they believe that ureaplasma does no harm and is a natural
part of the reproductive system. if you have ureaplasma, it can be easily medicated
through pills that both you and your sexual partner should take.

MYCOPLASMA, CHLAMYDIA AND UREAPLASMA

Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

WHAT THEY ARE: Mycoplasma, chlamydia and ureaplasma are among the
smallest of free-living organisms. They are unlike other bacteria because they have no
cell walls and therefore must live inside cells. They are unlike viruses because they can
live in cultures outside of cells and can be killed by certain antibiotics. However, they
cannot be killed by most antibiotics, as most antibiotics work by damaging a bacteria's
cell wall. They can be killed by antibiotics such as the tetracyclines or erythromycins
that do not act on a cell wall.

WHAT DISEASES THEY CAUSE: If you feel sick and your doctor is unable to
make a diagnosis because all laboratory tests and cultures fail to reveal a cause, you
could be infected with any of these bacteria. The only way that you will be cured is for
your doctor to suspect an infection with these germs and for you to take long-acting
erythromycin or tetracyclines for several weeks, months or years. They are the most
common cause of venereal diseases and are a common cause of muscle and joint
pains, burning in the stomach, a chronic cough, and chronic fatigue. They can cause
transverse myelitis (paralysis of the spine) (1); gall stones (2); a chronic sore throat
(3); red itchy eyes, pain on looking at light and blindness (4); arthritis (5,19); brain
and nerve damage with symptoms of lack of coordination, headaches and passing out;
spotting between periods or uterine infections (6); kidney stones (7); testicular pain;
asthma (8); heart attacks (9); strokes (10); cerebral palsy (11); premature birth (12);
high blood pressure (13); nasal polyps (14); stuffy nose in newborns (15); chronic
fatigue (16); belly pain (17); muscle pain (18); confusion, passing out and death (19);
coughing, bloody diarrhea, and anal itching and bleeding.

WHY THEY ARE SO DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT: Most doctors will not
prescribe antibiotics to patients without a laboratory test that indicates a specific
infection. No dependable test is available to rule in or out mycoplasma, chlamydia or
ureaplasma infections. Most antibiotics will not kill these organisms and those that do
have to be taken for many months and years. Furthermore, many infected people do
not take medication long enough to be cured, or they may have a close contact with an
infected person and become reinfected. Once these infections are allowed to persist for
months or years, they are extraordinarily difficult to cure and often require treatment
for many months. One venereal-disease patient in four takes medication as prescribed
(20) and almost all women who still had chlamydia one month after treatment were
reinfected by new or old partners (21). Usually your first symptoms from chlamydia,
ureaplasma and mycoplasma are burning on urination, a feeling that you have to
urinate all the time, terrible discomfort when the bladder is full and vaginal itching,
odor or discharge. Other first symptoms include itchy eyes, a cough or a burning in
your nose. You can be infected when an infected person coughs in your face, or you
touch nasal or eye secretions from an infected person and put your finger in your nose
or eye. Your chances for a cure are high if you are treated when you have only local
symptoms; but after many months, the infection can spread to other parts of your
body and make you sick or damage nerves, joints and muscles. If you feel sick and
your doctor is unable to make a diagnosis because all laboratory tests and cultures fail
to reveal a cause, you could be infected with mycoplasma, chlamydia or ureaplasma
and can be cured only by taking long-acting erythromycin or tetracyclines for many
months.

HOW I TREAT: I often prescribe 500 mg of azithromycin twice a week and/or

doxycycline 100 mg twice a day. You may require treatment for months or years, if
your symptoms have gone on for many months or years: muscle and joint pains, a
chronic cough, burning on urination, severe fatigue or signs of nerve damage.
However, long term treatment with antibiotics is controversial and many physicians
disagree with these recommendations. Discuss your particular condition with your
doctor or health care provider. For more information on some of the diseases and
conditions that may be caused by these bacteria, see my reports on asthma, heart
attacks, infertility, venereal disease, reactive or rheumatoid arthritis, and
fibromyalgia.

Corn Silk (Zea

 

Mays)
 
The silky tassel inside the corn husk is not often considered a food, but it is valued in  

herbology as a support to the urinary system. As a soothing diuretic, corn silk is helpful in
any irritation of the urinary system. It is used for renal problems in children and as a
urinary demulcent combined with other herbs in the treatment of cystitis, urethritis,
prostatitis, etc.. Old time Naturopaths suggest corn silk in the following conditions:
catarrhal cystitis, kidney stones, bladder irritation, gonorrhea, all catarrhal conditions of
the urinary passages and edema.

After the corn plant has shed its pollen, the silk is gathered, dried and powdered for
various uses. It contains silicon, B vitamins, PABA and moderate amounts of iron, zinc,
potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It's key constituents are maizenic acid,
fixed oil, resin and mucilage. Capsules are available or it can be taken as a tea. Take 2
capsules with a meal three times daily.

Many urethral syndrome patients were initially told that they have recurrent urinary
infections. Upon closer examination of their history, however, it is discovered that their
supposed urinary infections have been poorly documented. Other disease processes which
must be excluded are: Chlamydia infections, Ureaplasma infections, neurological
disorders, gynecological disorders, bladder tumors, urethral narrowing, interstitial cystitis
and more. Your physician may wish to perform certain tests in order to clarify the
diagnosis. These tests may include X-ray studies and bladder studies. The X-rays may be
done in order to be sure there is no stone or other physical abnormality. The bladder
studies may include cystoscopy, which allows direct visual inspection of the interior of the
bladder.

COMMENTS:
Other common names are Kinnikinik and Bearberry. Uva-ursi is a low, mat-forming,
evergreen shrub with long trialing stems with tough flexible stems. The flowers are urn-
shaped, pinkish white in the Spring. Red autumn berries.

Uses: The raw or dried berries make necklaces and rattles and are relied on as a bland
survival food improved by cooking. The stems and leaves are brewed by native Americans
to treat headaches and to prevent and cure scurvy. They act as a diuretic and antibacterial
treatment for cystitis and urinary tract disorders and are applied externally for back sprain.
The roots have long been used as a dysentery cure. The leaves form a tobacco substitute,
used in ceremonies of the Blackfoot tribe. The aerial parts yeild yellow, green and gray
dyes.

Urinary Ailments: In the urinary tract, the arbutin in Uva Ursi is chemically transformed into
an antiseptic chemical, hydroquinone. Also contains diuretic chemicals, including ursolic
acid, powerful astringents, and a chemical that helps promote the growth of healthy new
cells, allatoin. For best results avoid all acidic foods and supplements such as oranges, Vit
c, and juices as the urine needs to be alkaline.

Women's Health: The diuretic action may relieve the bloating feeling associated with
menstruation. Do not use if nursing or pregnant.

High Blood Pressure: Diuretics are often precribed to treat high blood pressure. However
as they also deplete the body's potassium, increase your intake of fresh vegetables and
bananas. Diuretics are also prescribed for congestive heart failure.

Wound Healing: Allantoin contained in Uva Ursi is an active ingredient in many over the
counter creams to treat cold sores, herpes, and vaginal infections.

Diarrhea: Astringent tannins found in this herb are binding and help relieve diarrhea.

Dosage: For wound healing try sprinkling the dry herb directly on the infected area.
Alternately you can add the dry herb to your favorite cream or lip balm. To decrease the
unpleasant taste of the atringent tannins soak the herb overnight in water. To treat urinary
complaints & diarrhea simmer 1 teaspoon of dried herb in 1 cup of boiling water for 10
minutes. Drink up to 3 cups per day.

Again, the goal is not to stop inflammation, but to restore normal inflammatory processes. The
biological processes of the immune system which maintain the normal inflammatory processes are
heavily regulated by cytokines - signaling proteins and glycoproteins involved in cellular
communication. 

The Effects of Abnormal Inflammation

The five clinical characteristic signs of inflammation are redness (Latin rubor),
heat (calor), swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and loss of function (functio laesa).
Excessive or chronic inflammation also result in increased biomarkers of
inflammation, which are also associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

                           BIOMARKERS OF INFLAMMATION

Increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Increased C-Reactive Protein

Increases Circulating Immune Complexes

 
Increase Cytokine Production with an Imbalance of Th1 & Th2
Cytokines

Abnormal Levels of Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgE, IgA, IgM)

Increased Fibrin Activation & Fibrosis

 Increased Amyloid Production & Deposition  

Immunomodulation ameliorates healing of male and female sterility, autoimmune as well as

alloimmune recurrent abortions. Significant progress was also obtained in the treatment of
adnexitis and prostatitis. Here, the clinical or subclinical immunological defect prompted us to use
immunomodulators of chemical or biologic nature (among the latter, combination of oral animal
and plant proteolytic enzymes). Their use in combination with antibiotics led to a more frequent
and more effective healing not only in the infections evoked by "common" bacteria, but also in
processes caused by chlamydia, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma.
Conclusion
Immunomodulation represents an important part of the complex therapy of male and female
sterility, recurrent abortions and chronic infections of the reproductive system.