undines
I paid to see a specialist as I kept getting cystitis and being prescribed antibiotics. The 'main man' said beware antibiotics, they can make things much worse and problems become chronic, and extend to thrush and other nasties. If you need an antibiotic it should be specifically targeted at the bacterium causing the trouble, not broad spectrum. I take uva ursi and the homeopathic remedy cantharis to keep things 'ok' down there. Cranberry juice can have too much sugar which also makes things worse. Don't neglect your condition. Drink lots of water and take a sample in. Good luck.
The NHS doesn't seem capable of testing for UTI's like it used to so unless you've got money for private testing, you're stuck with what you get. My mother has been suffering with chronic UTI's for years and eventually it was determined that she had diverticula pockets in the bladder which meant bacteria grew from them and none of the recommended remedies helped. Now she is catheterised and she gets less frequent UTI's. It amazes me that it took decades for her to have the tests that showed the problem.