Skip to content

Emergency UTI Pain Relief

Posted in Immediate UTI Treatment

main-qimg-2be097cb4a82b53ddb3e362fac761af2

To stop UTI pain starting in an hour:

  1. 1 tsp baking soda (sodium bicarb, for you Brits) in 16 oz. water.
    This raises your urine pH quickly, which slows down UTI pathogen feeding and breeding, and reduces pain dramatically in less than an hour. (UNLESS you have a staph, strep, or entero UTI, in which case NEVER drink soda water. You need ascorbic acid Vitamin C.)
    If you have high BP issues, you don’t want to drink more than this one glass because of the sodium, so after the first emergency dose, drink…
  2. Lemon water: 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in 16 oz water.
    Counter-intuitively, this has the same action as baking soda in raising urine pH because lemon and lime juice are alkaline-forming in your body. In my experience, it’s not quite as fast and effective as baking soda, but it’s better for your body as a maintenance measure while you treat your infection, and it’s better than nothing if it’s the middle of the night, you’re in pain, and you don’t have baking soda.
  3. Raw garlic: 2 average-size minced cloves.
    This will powerfully affect your UTI in short order, killing off pathogens and reducing your pain level. It should be taken by swallowing small chopped pieces with water, like pills, with some food, like toast. You should chase it with a shot of pure lemon juice, 1.5 oz. This helps you absorb the garlic, especially if you have heartburn. Yes, you read that right. If you get heartburn you need to take acid.
    Read more here to explain why.
  4. Cayenne pepper: 1/4 tsp mixed into a glass of water or a spoonful of honey.
    Take with a little food, like the garlic. This has a dramatic positive effect on some gram negative infections: it kills one strain of E. coli outright. This is something that will greatly relieve your pain if your UTI is caused by a certain type of gram-negative pathogen. If you feel a warm tingling in your bladder about 40 minutes after taking, followed by a sharp decrease in UTI symptoms, take 1/4 tsp every 4 waking hours for 3 days, then with every meal for 2 more days. Use urine test strips to make sure they’re clear at the 5 minute mark, and then you’re done.
    If, however, you feel like it irritated your infection, STOP. It can go either way, depending on what kind of infection you have.
  5. Oh, and I beg of you, NO CRANBERRY JUICE. And no ascorbic acid Vitamin C! Please. Just don’t.
    Unless you have a UTI that has cultured positive for staph, against which it’s quite effective.

28 Comments

  1. Kristie Meyer
    Kristie Meyer

    I would love to join the closed face book site
    I’ve spent hours reading this site and I’m very
    excited !! I’ve suffered for years

    January 8, 2020
    |Reply
  2. Sandy
    Sandy

    Just to make sure that I am understanding correctly, if you have an “enterococcus species”, as worded in the hospital release papers, you should take ascorbic acid. My father has a catheter, due to hospital incompetency. He is on amoxicillin right now, which I know is garbage. What dosage of vc would you suggest? Fermented foods, apple cider vinegar, yes or no? He is bedridden at this time. He went to the hospital for a uti, which was treated with antibiotics. Things cleared up, or so we thought he acquired another infection. We found out on the day they released him and they did not bother to tell us.

    February 13, 2019
    |Reply
  3. Debbie
    Debbie

    Hi Rebekah,
    I just got the test strips and need to know how to read them. The last 2 infections were Klebsiella and the urinesmells the same so I am guessing that’s what I have now.

    April 11, 2018
    |Reply
  4. Kris C
    Kris C

    I’ve never had a UTI before, but last night at midnight I woke up with terrible constant bladder pain/pressure, and was painfully voiding only scant amounts of blood-tinged urine and passing small blood clots.
    I drank a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice, drank several glasses of water, then took a Airborne vitamin C in a glass of water, 3 ibuprofen, and took a warm bath.
    While in the bath I started looking online and then started 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper in 1 Tb honey (local from our hive) twice now four hours apart, and took Garlinase 5000 mg one capsule twice now, 4 hours apart (raw garlic capsules).
    I’m at work now in a doctor’s office and my UA was positive for 2+ blood and 2+ leukocytes but not nitrites.
    My DH brought me hibiscus tea (drinking that now) and D-Mannose (took three of those). Symptoms are better than last night but still feeling pressure/pain.
    The physician here gave me Rx for Macrobid and I am a chicken to take it – I just took Amoxicillin 2 weeks ago for a really terrible sinus infection and had to stop for severe diarrhea despite taking probiotics –>and now I have my first UTI ever! I am 50 years old, so wondering if my recent illness and menopause are both playing a part in all this.
    Should I see if the D-Mannose, garlic, and cayenne will work or just start the Macrobid? I am very uncomfortable but better off than I was for the rough four hours last night! Thanks!

    January 16, 2018
    |Reply
  5. I have suffered UTI cfor many years. I have taken Cipro and realized what it was. What happened to surfer to clear infections. I am now trying to clear a UTI on my own the natural way. I would like to know if Cipro has caused me any harm as I realized on my own that it was a horrible antidote. Could you advise me?

    May 8, 2017
    |Reply
    • Rebekah W.
      Rebekah W.

      I’m afraid the Cipro is already in your system..but the good news is, if you’re not feeling the side effects yet, you may be in the clear. I would read the Never Get Another UTI post, and follow all those instructions to prevent a new infection from occurring, which is otherwise a high likelihood, given your history.

      May 13, 2017
      |Reply
  6. Sharon
    Sharon

    I have also wondered with numerous unanswered questions. I’m at a loss hoping I had found a resource – but have never received any response to any of my questions. I hope all is well. I did see a post dated April 2017 which makes me wonder if many question were lost………

    April 22, 2017
    |Reply
    • Rebekah W.
      Rebekah W.

      I’m here now: fire away!

      April 22, 2017
      |Reply
      • Sharon
        Sharon

        Thanks. I filled out a form and also sent an email just today since I hadn’t had responses in the past. Let me know if I need to do anything else

        April 22, 2017
        |Reply
        • Rebekah W.
          Rebekah W.

          I’ll go find it!

          April 22, 2017
          |Reply
      • LC
        LC

        Hi Rebekah,

        Could you or any other admins please accept my request to be a part of the FB group?

        Thanks,
        Lorenzo

        January 23, 2022
        |Reply
  7. John D
    John D

    How about Klebsiella oxytoca, does Cayenne Pepper work for that bacteria?

    January 6, 2017
    |Reply
    • Rebekah W.
      Rebekah W.

      There’s over 70 strains of K. oxytoca, and they can respond to different things, so the only way to know is to try.

      July 18, 2017
      |Reply
  8. TL Henderson
    TL Henderson

    Hi Rebekah.
    I posted a comment on a different blog post here earlier today. I decided I should’ve posted these questions on the emergency protocol.
    First, I wrestled with using baking soda since there are so many concerns now with aluminum, but wasn’t sure if non-aluminum based baking soda would work and the typical grocery store doesn’t sell it anyhow. I have felt desperate today, though to try something besides going to the urgent care in a different state, where we are on vacation, and possibly being put on antibiotics, which my body doesn’t seem to tolerate well. I prayed, bit the bullet and drank 8 oz. (of the 16 oz.) water/bicarbonate mixture.
    I bought a test strip but had issues when i didn’t read the directions correctly and nothing showed up. I also tested in the afternoon rather than the morning. I will try again in the morning when I wake up.
    I did drink lemon and then lime infused water today (42-56 oz./I weigh 111 lbs.)
    I have faithfully taken acidophilus/bifidus for years as I struggle with yeast, but that has kept infections at bay. So, although I didn’t have any symptoms this time, I guess it’s possible I have a UTI/yeast combo (sounds like a terrible soup and sandwich meal lol). I haven’t had a UTI in I can’t remember when, but I am on a romantic vacation with my husband and we’re not in our usual routine at all (more alcohol, more intercourse, more eating out and partaking of sweets and stuff I generally try to limit, more pool and hot tub soaks). Just a major drag to be in the middle of this much needed time away and have things come to a screeching halt because of this. Obviously, a bummer for my hubby as well.
    Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.
    Blessings and Thanks,
    ~TL Henderson

    November 1, 2016
    |Reply
    • Rebekah W.
      Rebekah W.

      Sorry I’m just seeing this…baking soda doesn’t have any aluminum in it: that’s baking powder, which is a different animal, so to speak. That should definitely never be ingested in a glass of water!

      I hope everything turned out alright!

      July 18, 2017
      |Reply
    • Jen
      Jen

      Hello there,

      Do you have any experience or suggestion for a UTI caused by Serratia marcescens?

      February 3, 2024
      |Reply
  9. Amy
    Amy

    Hi –
    Thanks for all this great info – but when someone is waiting for this protocol to work and are in pain – I took some prescription Pyridium (generic Phenazopyridine) and it worked wonders! I believe that AZO is a similar over the counter drug that relieves UTI pain. Have you taken AZO? Thanks!

    October 11, 2016
    |Reply
  10. Tammy Watts
    Tammy Watts

    How many times per day do you take the raw garlic for the emergency protocol? And for how long? I have been taking dmannose and oregano oil for about 6 days. Sometimes the symptoms are diminished and sometimes not. I am so tired of these crazy things. I have been having Candida symptoms for the last few months. White discharge and itching. It’ time for me to do this. I am ordering the OLE and Activated charcoal tonight. Just don’t know how long to do the garlic. Also how many times is it safe to drink Baking soda? is this done throughout the 3 day course. Thanks in advance. Tammy

    September 14, 2016
    |Reply
  11. Michelle
    Michelle

    Hi! After reading all this. I decided to stop my antibiotics. I woke up to excruciating pain this morning and took some Azo as it was the only thing that eased my pain. I went to the dr and they prescribed cipro. I’ve had many many UTIs in my life and never knew the dangers of cipro. I just took one pill about an hour ago and decided to research it, it sounds like an awful pill unless there is a life threatening problem. Now I’m scared and wondering what I can do to get rid of the one pills effects on my body? Can I take charcoal to flush it out? Should I start this protocol now? I’m taking high doses of d mannose and will order OLE. I already have struggled with weird chest pain, tingling, and numbing so I don’t want to continue with the cipro. Please help! Thanks for any advice.

    July 26, 2016
    |Reply
    • Rebekah W.
      Rebekah W.

      Check your e-mail, my dear!

      July 27, 2016
      |Reply
  12. Louise
    Louise

    I can’t believe it but the text was negative. Nitrites for sure was negative and leukocytes looked to be also and the test pad darkened ever so slightly before I threw it away, but I think that was after two minutes. I’m not sure if this means I kicked it, or if I still need to be on guard. What do you recommend? Do I start with OLE today? I’ll need to go out and buy some but can start at lunch. Should I discontinue D-Mannose and that Urinary Antiseptic I was taking? Thank you!

    July 20, 2016
    |Reply
    • Rebekah W.
      Rebekah W.

      Still be on your guard!

      I know they tell you to disregard results after 2 minutes, but I’ve tested strips with infection-free urine, and they never change color! Keep doing everything you did yesterday, and start taking the OLE! You can kick this completely in just a few days if you keep going, but if you stop now then what’s left, which are the strongest cells, will reproduce and it will come roaring back much stronger than before!
      Take the garlic, take the cayenne, keep your pH up and your bladder empty, and start that OLE! Phase II, for the win!

      July 20, 2016
      |Reply
  13. Louise
    Louise

    Hi,

    I woke up with a suspected UTI last Thursday- mild burning in bladder area, frequency, and some urgency. I immediately began Urinary Antiseptic from my naturopath (it contains Uva Ursi, Cleavers, Cedar Leaf, Wintergreen) and D-Mannose. I noticed a difference by the next day. Over the weekend we had lots going on, and while I kept up the Urinary Antiseptic, I only took 2 or 3 teaspoons of D-Mannose each day instead of every 2-3 hours. Tonight (Tuesday) I can feel the symptoms slightly coming back. I assumed the D-Mannose really did something as my symptoms so immediately went away after starting it.

    I’ve purchased some test strips to check in the morning. If leukocyte a are positive but no nitrates, what does that mean? What if both are positive?

    Tonight I will try more D-Mannose, and I also mixed a bit of raw garlic and cayenne pepper in honey and followed with a glass of baking soda water. Should I do the OLE regardless? Help! Thank you so much.

    July 19, 2016
    |Reply
    • Rebekah W.
      Rebekah W.

      The response to D-mannose indicates an E. coli infection, which is gram negative and makes both test pads turn color. If you’ve got it in check, however, the nitrite pad alone may turn color in the morning.

      I take it that you’re not a stranger to UTI’s, since you had that supplement on hand? I would definitely order either Vitacost or Swanson OLE and activated charcoal, and do a complete gut cleanse to stop these infections from ever recurring. Have you seen the post on Candida and UTI’s?

      July 19, 2016
      |Reply
      • Louise
        Louise

        Thanks for the quick reply, Rebekah. You really know your stuff. I’ll have to let you know what the test says in the morning. I’m not a stranger to UTI symptoms, but have only had one UTI that I know of. It was three years ago and I had none of the classic symptoms-only nausea. By the time they figured out what was causing it the infection was rampant and they immediately gave me antibiotics which cleared it.

        Thereafter, though, I would get bladder pain, which I thought was a ruptured cyst. Eventually I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis. In the last three years since then I have had several episodes of UTI-like symptoms but no infection present. That’s the trickery that is IC.

        Now after reading some of your postings, though, I wonder if IC itself is just a lingering infection that was never killed off. Or maybe not. Who knows?!

        I’m thinking that your OLE and charcoal protocol may be smart to do regardless.

        July 20, 2016
        |Reply
        • Rebekah W.
          Rebekah W.

          Yes, because IC can be linked to intestinal Candida, and the OLE/charcoal protocol will rid you of that!
          I started a closed FB group to support you ladies through the cure, and there are several women in there already who have IC: they’ve got a discussion going on it.
          Anyone who wants to join can send me an e-mail.

          July 20, 2016
          |Reply
          • Allyson Strobel
            Allyson Strobel

            Hi Rebekah,

            Could you please put me down for your forum IC group email. Where were you 35years ago when I got this thing after having my son! You will help sooooo many people nowadays along with Brittany at montrealhealthygirl.com! (For those of us that IC, pelvic floor disease and all the gals that get UTIs)! Thank you for taking the time to do this!

            Allyson
            allyson@coloradospringshouses.com

            December 16, 2016
            |Reply
          • Jennifer Hall
            Jennifer Hall

            I would love to join this closed fb group as I to have ic. Thanks

            May 5, 2018
            |Reply

Leave a Reply to Rebekah W. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *