But isn't the problem in that equation the bubbles, and not the bath? My understanding is that the chemicals that make bubble baths bubbly are potential irritants, but that sitting in warm water is not in and of itself a problem.

We took baths (vs. showers, I mean); just not the bubble variety.

But -- if the chemicals cause irritation, that doesn't necessarily mean UTI, though I do understand that an irritated area can be more prone to any bacteria that wander by. And -- though I am only an ancedatal sample of one -- I've taken a lot of bubble baths since college, and never gotten a UTI from them.

Anyway, I'm glad for my mom's sake that she was partially right, since she tends to be full of "wisdom" that is not exactly accurate.

I've never had a doctor warn me against taking baths with a UTI.

Same here. I've been told not to use bubble baths or bath salts, but that baths themselves were fine.

I have not exhaustively experimented. Despite some evidence that the bubbles tend to be the significant variable, I have considered it prudent to avoid baths in general.

When I was a kid and would get UTIs I'd soak in oatmeal baths. It deffinately cut down on the burning for a while afterwards.

Why is the exchange rate to Pound Sterling so crap right now? This is thwarting my plans.

(Note: I do not need an explanation of international currency rates and voodoo, thank you. I am just whining.)

Why is the exchange rate to Pound Sterling so crap right now? This is thwarting my plans.

Oh, Jilli. Why do you hate America?

Oh, Jilli. Why do you hate America?

I ... don't? I just want to not be completely hosed by the exchange rate when I lose my gothy mind and bid on the jacket I linked to earlier. BECAUSE IT MUST BE MINE, MINE, MINE.

I used to get UTIs a lot when I was in first grade. Dunno what was up with that, but often I could not pee. Once I ended up wetting my pants in my desk - not fun.

Never had a UTI, really. Haven't taken a bubble bath since I was a kid. Doubt, however, that these two things are related. My grandmother believed a good soak in Epsom salts and a hot toddy would cure about anything. That's pretty much my go-to as well.

bonny, I appreciate the advice. I could speak my piece and risk losing her, except I can't - she's my sister's daughter, and letting her storm out of my life would cause my sister more pain than she deserves, or I can bear to cause. K.'s sister has already written her off, and her father is worse than useless. If she doesn't have me and her mom, she has no one, and she's going to need everyone she can get, one of these days. I just don't know if I've got the life skills, myself, to say what needs to be said without driving her away, or for that matter to spend an entire day with the two of them and *not* say anything.

And as long as I'm being honest (ew), I don't want to engage. I want to walk away. I've had more than enough trauma-drama in my life from volatile, destructive, self-destructive people. I dread watching her disintegrate, and I dread even more being the one who has to pick up the pieces left of her and her mom, or the one who has patch it all back together. I don't think I can, and I don't want to. I'm tired of all this shit. Which is making me even more impatient with K. than I might otherwise be. All our lives - her mom, me, her sister, and herself - would be pretty much under control and happy, if not for K.'s shattering emotional state. I feel especially bad about not wanting to help her, because she's not a bad person - she's a very troubled person, who's been given a pass for bad behavior all her life, and now she doesn't and won't comprehend how bad it really is.

Fuck. I'm sorry to be spewing. I just don't have anyone I can really talk to, and I don't know what to do. How can I support my sister, much less attempt to help my niece, when I just want to hide from it all? I don't want to go through this again.

bonny I kinda skimmed but with my experience with UTIs and Painful Bladder syndrome causing bladder/urethral pain is::

AZO Standard pills work great. Ice packs are really helpful. Avoid acidic foods - this includes cranberry juice. I know it can be beneficial but the acidity can cause more irritation. also spicy foods can cause irritation.