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Too early urine sample?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Cheetah
Cheetah

I get a UTI occasionally, during which I always bleed.  One day this week I felt unwell, my urethra felt bruised and I was a little shaky.  I have felt like this before and it usually heralds a UTI.  So, although I couldn't see a doctor, I was able to get a prescription for Trimethoprim.  I decided I wouldn't take it if nothing developed.  At the same time, I also submitted a urine sample to the surgery and it was sent to the lab.  I went to bed wondering if I had made a fuss about nothing.

I got up about 5am and went to the loo.  It was painful and I saw that I had blood in my urine.  Thankfully, I had the tablets and was able to take one straight away.  I still had a horrid day of pain, urgency and frequency, although the blood gradually faded away and today, half-way through the 6 tablet course, I feel much better.

I've just phoned the surgery for the result of the urine test and was told that it was normal.  No infection!   I'm pretty sure that it was an infection, because of my symptoms, which are very familiar to me, and the way that these symptoms responded to the antibiotic.

Has anybody else had this experience of feeling unwell about 12 hours before the infection proper started?  I will mention it to the GP the next time I see him, as my records will show there was no infection and I know that there was!  Maybe I should have waited until I was in pain before giving a sample and asking for antibiotics, but I was trying to be proactive and save myself having to wait for an appointment, while suffering!

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • holly_12500
    holly_12500 Cheetah

    Posted

    When ever I get cystitis or symptoms by urine samples came back clear.after years of tests, bladder repairs.other opps. I was sent to see a gynecologist she was the most understanding Dr I have met she really understood the pain discomfort evey thing I was going through.

    I was perscriped 3 different antibiotics to be taken at night for 6 months,then lowered to 1 a day

    It's working I dont get cystitis very much.

  • holly_12500
    holly_12500 Cheetah

    Posted

    Cont... as soon as I have the feeling of being unwell I take cystopurin and take extra antibiotics.

    I like to drink ginger cordial diluted with hot water.

    I find a comfortable position with a hot water bottle and sit it our,drink plenty.

    If you are passing blood you should go back to see your dr.

    • Cheetah
      Cheetah holly_12500

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, Holly.  It's interesting that you had clear urine samples.  It sounds as though the antibiotics are working well for you, I hope it continues.  A daily antibiotic was mentioned to me once by a consultant urologist - I am still under the hospital for kidney stones - but the next consultant I saw didn't feel it was necessary at that time.  To be honest, I have gone two years without a UTI and now have had two in six months.

      I always bleed when I have UTIs.  I've had a cystoscopy, as well as a CT scan on my kidneys and, apart from the kidney stones, everything was fine.  What reassures me is that the bleeding and the other symptoms all respond to the antibiotics and, as I have a second urine sample tested about a fortnight after any infection, I know that blood isn't in my urine all the time.

      Maybe I ought to go back to my GP and discuss it all with him.  Maybe it's time to think about daily antibiotics after all.

      Thank you for your suggestions of what to drink and the hot water bottle.  I must admit that I tend to try to carry on regardless.  Not very good, I suppose and I feel very tired today.

      All the best.

    • holly_12500
      holly_12500 Cheetah

      Posted

      You are right I would go back to see your gp

      Especially with having kidney stones.

    • winifred02134
      winifred02134 holly_12500

      Posted

      Hi Holly, what you are describing is exactly what l went through for a staggering 10 years my gp gave me antibiotics to take every day this worked for 6 months then it all started again .To cut a long story short l eventually got to see a urologist after tests he said he wasn,t sure but he referred me to the urologist nurse she monitered me with lots of samples taken . The result ? I had painful bladder syndrome , feels like cysistitis the symtoms are identical the only difference is there is no bacteria in your urine. I have had bladder installations , take anti acid tablets in the morning and amitrptiline at night.l have changed my diet ,loads about this online . The good thing is lve lost 2stone 4pounds . I feel like a new women l have just enjoyed my first pain free christmas in years!

      Dont delay ask for a referral to a urologist , they will do tests and you will get better. I hope my story will help you. Also dont forget your not alone and all the nurses who look after you in the urology dept are so kind and do everything they can to make a potentially embrassing situation better Good luck x

    • winifred02134
      winifred02134 Cheetah

      Posted

      Hi Rosiemags, l mean,t to reply to you but mistakenly replied to Holly , sorry about that . I would just like to add to what l said , painful bladder syndrome is the new name for interslical cystitis , it as been changed to avoid confusion with the bacterial type of cystitis . It as been mentioned here about the walls of the bladder being the problem this seems to be the case hence the need for the bladder installations l had to have 13 but it was worth it in the end .This is not something that can be cured but it certainly can be controlled .It is not easy to get passed your GP if you are in the UK as they try to avoid giving referrals .l took loads of antbiotics for years all they do is mask the condition . It was a long and very painful road for me ,dont let it happen to you , demand a referral . Good luck !
    • Cheetah
      Cheetah winifred02134

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply, Winifred.  Thankfully, I don't seem to have any problems inbetween infections.  I decided to make an appointment with my GP and will see him next week.  I think it will be good to talk it over with him. I still have a copy of a letter the urologist sent to him last year, in which he said that he would be pleased to see me again if the infections continued, so I think the GP will probably refer me.  I hope that things continue to be good for you.
  • lynne69494
    lynne69494 Cheetah

    Posted

    l had simular experience last week, l started with typical frequency and pain in passing small amounts along with blood in urine.  l was diagnosed with intersticial cystitus many years ago following a scope, put on meds to help it, which they helped 90percent with symptoms, but had occasional niggly flare ups, Because people with intersticial cystitus never show bacteria in samples, they did research and found out that women with it did respond well on a course of anti bs, whereas women on placebos didnt, the researchers think there is bacteria deep in the bladder wall that doesnt show up in samples, so  leading to some urologists putting women on a low dose anti b one a day to prevent flare ups, l was on them for a few years and they did help, but had to stop due to gastritus eventually, though think it might have been a resistance to kefalexin after a long time, that can happen, once had same happen with taking daily ferrous, prescribed, after a couple of years couldnt stomach them. 

    But last week when symptoms there decided to try trimathoprin, l,d 6 low dose in, took for just 2 days, and to my amazement it cleared totally by 3rd day l was pleased as they hadnt upset my stomach either.  l think l. and you did the right thing, common sense, much better to nip any increasing infection in the bud, or anything before it gets worse, as infections do. l think we know our own body and symptoms very well. Good to take control and its works out  well.  

    • Cheetah
      Cheetah lynne69494

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, Lynne.   It was interesting to read that the bacteria lodge into the baldder wall.  A urologist I saw a couple of years ago told me that having kidney stones, as I have, also affected the number of infections that I would have.  Apparently the bacteria are absorbed into the stones and flare up occasionally.  Who knew?  So, I've got an appointment with the GP next week and I believe he will refer me back to the urologist who offered me a further cystoscopy and scan last year.  Atthe time, having had both 18 months previously and no infections for two years, I didn't feel it warranted it, but, now with two UTIs in six months, I'm beginning to think it may be a good thing.  Also, because infections make me feel so lousy, I'm going to ask him about going onto a low antibiotic dose.

      I always take Trimethoprim for infections and it works really well for me.  The GP did put me on Nitrofurantoin once and, while it cleared up the infection, it made me feel as though I'd got 'flu, not very pleasant, so I always ask for Trimethoprim now.  I'm pleased it worked for you, too.

    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 Cheetah

      Posted

      Glad youve got a referral to urologist, hope it brings solution. Oddly l got another infection a few days ago, quite bad at start as couldnt pass anything on trying on several occassions in morning, but when bareing down passed brownish staining, with a touch of red, worse than in the past, l think it was blood in urine months ago that led to cystascope, seems more concern than bacteria, till they find reason l guess., l,d the usual kefalex in, sat morn, so def took two a day and it has settled it without the nausea, relief. l think maybe not taking the daily anti b as preventative as made me more prone to bacterial infections, or l,d not got on top of first one, or maybe the urethra being narrower, l,ll see how it goes and ask to see urologist if its going to occur frequently. l was told ld kidney cyst, not stones, but l guess infection can be absorbed into anything porous.  My last scope was a  flexible cystoscopy, bit apprahensive about it, but it was so easy and quick, Anyway hope you dont have to wait long for appt. 
  • Cheetah
    Cheetah

    Posted

    Update.  I saw my GP today and, as expected,  he is referring me back to the urologist.  The main problem is that he has no evidence - as the urine sample was clear - that I have actually had an infection.  The bleeding raises concerns in this case.  So, if I'd only waited until the infection had taken hold properly before giving the urine sample...

    The GP also told me to discuss a low-dosage antibiotic with the urologist when I see him.

    Thanks for your support everyone.

    • holly_12500
      holly_12500 Cheetah

      Posted

      Please your GP is sending you to see a specialist,hope you will soon get the problem sorted.hope you will soon feel better

      Keep in touch xholly

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