1. Community
  2. Genito-urinary/Kidney
  3. Urinary Symptoms and Problems

Recurrent UTI - negative culture??

Posted , 5 users are following.

em52732
em52732

Hi all

I'm 24 and have been suffering from regular UTIs for around three years. For most people they are an annoyance but for me they are extremely painful and debilitating! I've had around 15 occurrences in the last 2 years and have always taken trimethiprim, which has been the only antibiotic to work for me. This week I got a UTI and started my normal course of antibiotics which seemed to work for a day, but today it has come back with a vengeance which makes me think the tablets aren't working this time. There is blood in my urine and I am in a lot of pain going to the toilet. I have struggled for 2 years to get a referral to urology despite my symptoms and the last two urine cultures have turned up negative (despite the dipstick test indicating there was an infection??). This problem is now affecting my quality of life and I am running out of options! I have even had an ultrasound to look for blockages, which also showed nothing of concern. I desperately want to know what is underlying as these infections are beginning to affect my quality of life and my work!

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • em52732
    em52732

    Posted

    Has anybody had a similar experience?
  • Middlechild79
    Middlechild79 em52732

    Posted

    I'm sorry you are experiencing this. I cannot imagine recurrent UTIs. Why is a referral to a urologist taking so long? I'm in the US and I called and got in to see one within two weeks. You definitely sound like you need the expertise of a specialist. If your last two cultures showed no infection, maybe you are not always having a true UTI. The urologist should scope you to look inside your bladder. Sometimes things mimic UTI without the infection like Interstitial Cystitis. Or, maybe it is an imbedded infection that is not responding properly to the antibiotic anymore. I would imagine after years of the same medicine, your body may become too accustomed to it. I think the key for you is to get in to see that urologist. Or better yet, a urogynecologist since they work with women patients all day every day. I love my urogynecologist. Good luck!

    • em52732
      em52732 Middlechild79

      Posted

      Thanks! I have moved a few times in the last couple of years so I have seen different doctors regarding my problem. I think they are reluctant to refer me because no one particular doctor has seen the full extent of the problem. Looks like a urologist will be able to give me some answers - thank you!
    • Middlechild79
      Middlechild79 em52732

      Posted

      Yes, I believe you will be happy to get in to see a urologist and get a more indepth examination and testing. Cystoscopy is a scope put up inside your bladder with a camera. The doctor will look for redness, inflammation, bleeding, ulcers and can also take a biopsy to rule out things like cancer (which is rare). I also had a CAT scan with dye contrast to rule out blockages/masses/etc. Then I did urodynamic testing (I had frequency and urgency). If you don't have those you might not do that test.

  • daulat56743
    daulat56743 em52732

    Posted

    Have u performed cystoscopy
    • daulat56743
      daulat56743 em52732

      Posted

      I m suffering from painful urination from last 3yrs all test and cultures shows there is nothing like infection. Even my sonography results shows absence of stones but I m still suffering from this he'll. In last month I have done cystoscopy and my urologist told me that I have urethritis and urethral stricture that's why I am suffering from repeated infection or painful urination

  • t6ixty
    t6ixty em52732

    Posted

    Hello everyone, it has been about 6 weeks since my post. I thought I would give everyone an update... Right after my post the very next day I was rushed into the emergency room... I had been misdiagnosed, my UTI had exploded and turned to a bladder infection which is not the same test for a UTI, then went to my kidneys... they did a CT scan and found I had very large stones in my kidneys, most likey caused by the 3 months of Bactria running through my body...they did the cyrscope, and found one of them was stuck, and my kidney went into failure... so they put in stint to drain my kidneys and try to heal me a bit, then second surgery remove that stint and remove the stones on the left side... 3rd suregery, yes just had my third yesterday... they removed the stones from the right side and I have yet another stint... This go around is pretty painful, they removed two this time... they are also analyzing what they are and I will start the battery of tests to figure out if I am really better and what's next... I will tell you these stones whatever type you have which there are 3 kinds 1 Is basic calcium, 2 is bacteria being attacked and hardening, and 3 is a formation of salts and things... however they are ALL jagged, pointy, and have sharp edges, and as you urinate them out they can be extreamly painful... most people are blessed to pass them with minimal or no pain, I was not one of those people, as they passed they shredded my urinary tract... I kept going back because I knew something was wrong, they kept tossing me out trying to give me pain meds... donor take that push go to the doctors boss, get a second opinion... I almost died litterally because I didn't push as hard as I could... it took 1 doctor who unfortunately with all the drug abuse now a days, they see people complaining of pain and the first thought is pill popper, sad but true... this one doctor who started out just like the rest took it an extra step, and next thing I knew I was booked into emergency surgery... I found out had I waited 24 more hours good chance I would not be here... my body went septic, my left kidney was failing, and I was filled with bacteria... I am not trying to scare anyone, I just do not wish this on anyone... Push, this is your life and your body! Fight for the help you deserve! God Bless

    • em52732
      em52732 t6ixty

      Posted

      Oh my goodness, it sounds like a horror story! Thank God you are okay now, and I hope you have managed to fully recover smile

    • t6ixty
      t6ixty em52732

      Posted

      Thank you, I say fight! We have to make people aware... I have every one of these people including you in my prayers! Eventually someone will listen and maybe we can find answers and stop allot of this!
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.