Persistent UTI
Posted , 6 users are following.
I have a persistent UTI which isn't clearing up with antibiotics. I've had three courses of trimethoprim which relieves symptoms completely but the UTI returns within a week of finishing the course. Ive also had a course of Nitrofurantoin which did not relieve the symptoms and my GP put me back on trimethoprim again. I'm booked for an ultrasound scan and in a few weeks time but my GP said he doesn't know what to do next.
I've given three urine samples, the first showed growth, the last two showed no growth but there is still white cells and traces of blood.
My symptoms include urinary frequency, lower abdominal and pelvic pain, lower back pain, nausea and exhaustion. I feel very unwell.
I plan to make yet another appointment with my GP but what else can be done if the antibiotics aren't working? I started taking d-mannose yesterday but so far no relief.
1 like, 7 replies
lynn41704 jacqueline35357
Posted
I really feel for you having suffered the same problems in the past. I was eventually referred to a urologist for recurrent UTIs and the need to keep passing urine even when I had just done so. The urologist did a cystoscopy whuch I was dreading but it was fine, no pain involved just a bit uncomfortable. I was diagnosed with overactive bladder and started on mirabegron together with low dose Cefalexin to be taken every day. It has been six months now and I haven't had any more problems with the need to keep passing urine and haven't had any more UTI's. If you scan result is normal I woukd ask you doctor to refer you to a urologist.
Take care of yourself and keep in touch.
jacqueline35357 lynn41704
Posted
Thank you Lynn41704, did you have a UTI after all or was it your overactive bladder causing your symptoms?
I'm convinced that it's infection causing my symptoms as the antibiotics do work but perhaps having an overactive bladder could be the cause of the infections?
Ill definitely ask to be referred if the scan doesn't show anything.
lynn41704 jacqueline35357
Posted
I kept having symptoms of a UTI but the tests were not always positive. I did have several reports of white cells in my urine which my urologist told me they were often present in ladies of a certain age (I am 63).
The medication I take for my OAB worked within 2-3 weeks, I think of it as a miracle drug. The low dose antibiotics that I take every day are to prevent me having UTIs and I haven't had a UTI since starting them, I have regular urology reviews to check my medication is still working, I don't know if I can continue taking the medication long term but for now I am still taking it and it's still working so I am happy and feel I have got my life back.
Take care of yourself and good luck with your scan.
jacqueline35357 lynn41704
Posted
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I've been starting to wonder if I will ever be infection free!
lynn41704 jacqueline35357
Posted
It is not easy coping but you will get sorted. It is just a matter of getting the correct diagnosis and the correct treatment. Getting there is hard but it can be done.
Take care of yourself.
vicky36991 jacqueline35357
Posted
I take very similar symptoms to you. Some of my symptoms are caused by a fibroid and some are UTI. I find I am still in pain even when the tests say the infection has gone.
I try to make my urine more alkaline by drinking a lot of alkaline drinks e.g. a little organic lemon juice in water or crush a piece of ginger in water, or add water to beetroot juice and I also empty marshmallow root capsules into a mug of hot water.
I can only speak for myself but it has helped me such a lot and it won't do you any harm if you decide to try it. I also take a good probiotic every morning before eating. I feel the drinks help flush the infection out. I also feel as if my bladder is very irritated and the Marshmallow Root helps calm it. I know we are told to drink a lot of water. I always drink lots of water but that on its own didn't help me. If I stop taking the above drinks I find it painful to go to toilet.
Of course I don't what is wrong with you. The ultrasound will check for kidney stones. (I don't have any) You might just be prone to UTIs. I've given up soap, use organic liners and everything else I can think of.
I'm not giving you a cure but it might be worth trying whilst you are waiting on your hospital visit. I really helps me and it is such a relief not to be in so much pain.
Take care and good luck.
angela84946 jacqueline35357
Posted
One thing that might help is to drink beer and cranberry juice. Drink two beers a day and one glass of cranberry juice a day. This doesn't mean to go out and get drunk though, if you cannot drink alcohol drink nonalcolic beer. This is one remedy I learned when I took medical classes, the alcohol and juice will flush the infection out of your system. Just do this for 7-10 days, I use this method anytime I have uti infections and it works better than antibiotics.