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Reucurring UTI's, and kidney infections

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jodie19275
jodie19275

Hello,

I have suffered for a few years now with my kidneys, first starting off with when I drank alchohol. A few days later I would get really ill with a kidney infection and given antibiotics. It then became more common to get them without drinking.  I would also inbetween this get reucurring bladder infections.

I am 19, a female, and have had various tests (ct scan, dye put in my arm through a drip to see any problems clearer and a few ultrasounds) done to check the structure of my kidney is all okay and that there isnt any obstructions ( all seems to be okay, and they didnt think that it would be worth looking with a cystoscope just yet.) However something worth noting is that I always seem to have invisible blood in my urine that is discovered through dipstick tests. And recently my brother has been having the same kidney problems (kidney infection, especially after drinking alchohol). 

I am also now on medication called 'Hiprex' it has antiseptic qualities to try and prevent getting UTI's/kidney infections however doesnt seem to be working as I still get them. 

Really getting fed up now, as when I get ill with it I get super achey, all of my glands swell up, a dry mouth so constantly thirsty and weeing loads, especially at night, and dull aches in my back.

Once when passing urine I passed out from a pain in my right lower side. But like i said, no kidney stones or any problems structurely.

Has anyone else been going through this too? Any ideas what could be wrong?

Thanks

 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee jodie19275

    Posted

    Hiprex sometimes doesnt work as it requires the urine to be acidic to work. Maybe you need a different antibiotic?    I have had this problem for years and had all the tests you have mentioned. I also have 'invisible' blood in the urine and no cause has been found.      As a last resort my doctor has given me Nitrofurantoin to take daily for several months and it has been wonderful.    Initially gave me Trimethoprim but that had no effect at all.        I have now stopped the Nitrofurantoin so hope my probs are solved  ...all fingers and toes crossed.   I have also been reading up about D mannose so I may try that on a 1 tablet a day basis and see what happens. D Mannose is just a type of sugar and the tablets are available on line from various sources.  Not suitable for diabetics because of the sugar content.

    I have also tried drinking loads of Cranberry juice but that theory now seems to be discredited after the claims several years ago,and I didnt find it had any effect at all.

    At least at 19 you are getting attention early in your life...persevere with it...it seems to be one of those problems that isnt taken very seriously,possibly because its mainly women who suffer.  I had to stop drinking alcohol as it always made me feel awful, Also tonic water. Some people say hot and spicy foods dont help.

    Have you been tested for diabetes? Just a thought as you say you are constantly thirsty. 

  • jodie19275
    jodie19275

    Posted

    Oh I did not know that, I will ask next time I go in. I went to the doctors today as had the symptoms again and as it was a different doctor she fobbed me off with a viral infection somehow but I told her about my reuccuring UTI's and it shows up on the system, she just wasn't really that interested, but has sent my urine off to double check there isn't any infection (she said there wasn't any signs in my urine today apart from blood as per, but as I have the symptoms and it happens regularly I should go back if I still feel bad next week). 

    Really that is a shame that they still haven't found anything wrong with you either, I agree I think it is because it is common in women. 

    Oh yes it is really annoying to get ill from alchohol as I am a student at university and have to miss out on lots of things because of it, otherwise I get ill again for weeks.

    I have never tried cranberry juice, it always pops up as a suggestion though. 

    And that is another shame as I love spicy food haha. 

    I think I might of been tested a few years ago for diabetes as I get the shakes when I get hungry/start to get dizzy or do pass out, but that came back fine, maybe I should be tested for type 2, I will ask if I need to go back next week! 

    Thank you for your help Marina smile 

  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee jodie19275

    Posted

    Just to say Jodie that its often the case that no infection is detected either on the dipstick or on lab test,but I always have insisted on Nitrofurantoin as I know it will clear the prob[until the next time...ha ha].   I have battled with dismissive doctors for years and have been reduced to tears.  people who havent experienced this have no idea of the pain and misery.    I expect you are sexually active,and have found a link between that and the UTI.    I have tried washing before and after and peeing immediately after but nothing has worked.       Some women never seem to suffer at all. My theory at one time was that it is an inherited trait...both my mother and daughter are sufferers......possibly a short urethra? no research seems to be done in that direction.  Does your mother suffer? do you have a sister/s who suffer?  May be worth asking them. 

    I was once subjected to a nasty campaign from another woman I had to work with,saying I was dirty and "obviously did not know how to wipe myself". it was vile and so ignorant.

    I am aware of all the problems associated with taking antibiotics long term and the subsequent possible resistant strains,but when you are desperate it doesnt seem to matter.     Keep plodding on Jodie,,,thats what we women have to do to emphasize the enormous problem we are constanly having to deal with. Always go back to the doc if you feel something is wrong...thats the only way to let them know how often you are feeling rotten. 

    If its any comfort,this IS a very common problem,especiallyamongst women. Men dont suffer so much as their urethras are long.  

    • jodie19275
      jodie19275 Marina_Dee

      Posted

      I agree I do not get any sympathy from anyone anymore as it happens so often and they just seem to think I am a hypocondriact, especially when the dip stick tests show up as normal (like yesterday), but I know there is an infection. 

      Yes i have found a link between that and UTI's but like you I have tried everything to prevent them like washing before/after, weeing before/after etc. But still manage to get them. However I do not just get UTI's I get kidney infections also. Perhaps it is due to a short urethra. 

      My mother only suffered when she was pregnant with me and that may of been one of the reasons I was born 2 months premature. Strangely, my brother also gets kidney infections/UTI's and has the same reaction to alchohol as I do. 

      Yes I want to avoid being put on antibiotics long term, I just want to find a urologist that knows what is wrong and can resolve it without taking antibiotics. 

      Thank you Marina!

  • Cabernet61
    Cabernet61 jodie19275

    Posted

    Hi Jodie, I have been under the hopital for this i had a cystoscopy in 2012 for haematuria as im over 50 i had to been seen urgently, then again this year, they cannot find anything wrong with my bladder I also had a ct scan. But still like you every time i get a urine check blood shows up on the dip stick and no infection, when i asked my urologist why this happens he said some peoples bladders bleed and we dont know why, i have been to the doctors again this week with uti symptoms so now on an antibiotic again. When i had my cystoscopy in 2012 the Dr asked me if i had recently had a urine infection as he showed me an area on camara in my bladder that suggested an infection low grade as no infection shows in my tests, when i asked urologist this year he said he was wrong. I know how frustrated you are looking for answers i feel the same. I also have 3 monthly injections for b12 deficiency and have psoriasis so put it down to one of them.

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