I still have a UTI after finishing a course of antibiotics? Why didn't drug kill it all off?

Hi! I think this is some important information since I've been in your position for about three weeks now (I know, the pain sucks). I too have went to several doctors...regular doctor, urologist, etc. I was put on three different antibiotics: Bactrim, Cipro and Nitrofurtonin. At first the back pains and extreme pain went away, but the burning didn't even after I was done with my course of antibiotics. I finally went to my gynecologist yesterday, and she gave me a cream called RECTICARE (lidocaine 5% anorectal cream) which is over the counter. I suspect the burning when you pee is not from UTI but from the irritation the antibiotics gave you (which is what my gyn told me when she saw my irritated urethra). THIS CREAM HELPED ME IMMENSELYYY within an hour. So please, visit your gynecologist and maybe she can tell if your urethra is irritated and prescribe you a cream.

Also you mention burning and discharge which is caused by the rounds of antibiotics you took. I had yeast too, after taking two rounds of diff antibiotics. My gyn told me that sometimes taking too much antibiotics wipes out the natural flora /bacteria in your vagina. The cream works well for both--creditted nyc gyn

This sounds very familiar.  Several months ago I had a sharp then dull pain in my groin area, concerned it was appendix I went to the ER, they assured me it wasn't that, but that I had a uti, I was in shock because the only two I ever had I would have terrible symptoms razor blade feeling when peeing....however that is what it showed, so they prescribed 3 days of macrobid.  Unfortunately I only got through two doses as it made me so sick I could not take another pill.......so back to my family doc and she prescribed a sulfa which I had tolerated in the past.....three days into that I started getting itchy and then short of breath, so off to the ER, they told me to stop, did a urine sample and I was in the clear not more antibiotics YEAH!!!!  The dull pain was still there and would come and go but I was thankful I was done with these meds.  Fast forward to now 5 months later one evening I am feeling like peeing after I pee, thinking it was because I was drinking a lot due to the heat wave, I started drinking the real tart tasting cranberry juice and bought a bladder cleanse in case it was a start of something.I past it off, but as the days followed it was becoming bothersome....I got two samples done which showed WBC but the culture said three or more organisms found probable contamination, so they ordered a pelvic ultra sound, which showed that there is an issue with post voiding and I am going to be reffered to a uroligist.  Still not explaining the discomfort I went to two different ER and my urine test came back negative both times, I finally saw a nurse practitioner who despite the urine coming back normal she sent it for a culture.....after three days it showed growth of strep b and it is senstitive to penicillan....hmmm last time I took that I broke out in a rash.....so they are trying amoxcillian seeing I tolerated it in the past.....I am on day three and every time I take it I get extreme itchy and a scratchy throat, the pharmacist told me to take an antihistamine, but if I get swelling to go to ER right away....easier said than done when I am here alone with my kids day and not and not a lot of support.  I was precribed for 7 days three times a day, I have reduced it to twice a day seeing I am senstive, which can still work....I am not sure I can take this for 7 days, but I am going to try.  I really question if my UTI really went away from the last time, as I have been so careful and taking cranberry daily.  I can't seem to finish the full doses due to sensitivity, it is very frustrating.  On a referral list to see an allergist to get desensitized, that will be one less concern if I get any future one.  Hard to clear infetions when you can't tolerate the medication.

Hello I went threw the same thing I was fighting with drs for months a ton of antibiotics nothing work I live in pa every Dr I went to around my area nobody knew anything kept taking test went to er 10 times within a week so finally I found a Dr in Philly pa that deals with internal cystitis it's not a uti, it where you have pain in your kidneys and bladder and it feels like glass when you per hurts so bad so saw a Dr who deals with this disease and went to you tube and it explained everything now I have an appt to go see a urologist professional specialist

Let me know if this is what you have

Since first posting this discussion I have since seen improvement in my bladder. It's not 100% perfect, but it is better than what it used to be. I'm no longer feeling that stinging pain I was once having that burned so bad I was afraid to urinate. After my UTI I spoke with a naturopathic Doctor and some family members who are into natural cures and I have seen an improvement. Like I said it's not 100% perfect. Some days the slight sting comes back, but that's usually because i either drank too much acidic juice in one day and not enough water. I did cut back on the juice since then and drank only cold water and noticed it did help. It seems all the antibiotics I was on and the infection possibly caused me to have some bladder irritation that maybe needed time to heal. However, I still have bacteria growing on my culture. I still DON'T believe I have cystitis. My gut instincts just tell me that. I have not been to a urologist yet as I am in the middle of switching to a new health insurance as well as new job and won't be able to see one yet until probably the end of the month hopefully. So I cross my fingers that whatever is going on resolves soon as I have been experiencing some ease in my urinary discomfort. I just have to becareful with the juice and not stray to much from water. I will keep you all updated on my status once I speak with a new doctor and get a new opinion. Since I now work for a very well respected medical college in my state I should find some permanent ease soon. I'm hoping they can do something. I've heard great things about them and about their medical advancements. Maybe I can finally have my life back.