Strange urine/dipstick

[Bowwowjangles]

My dd (7) suffers with daytime/nighttime enuresis. She is also under investigation for monthly urine infections. We have just had a renal dmsa and she is now on nightly trimethoprim. We haven’t had results of the renal scan as they won’t tell us until her next appointment in March.
The GP has given us our supply of dipsticks to keep a close eye on UTI’s. We have also had to up her water considerably and school keep a water diary for us.
I have dipped her urine as I suspect a UTI is on its way and the s.g densite result really concerns me. Am I right in saying it is showing she is dehydrated?

[Rainbowsandflowers78]

I think they often show that and you shouldn’t worry too much but make sure she drinks a bit more
I would worry that your nitrates is high though - test again in am?

[Bowwowjangles]

Thanks @Rainbowsandflowers78
I think there is definitely a uti on the way. This morning she asked to go but then couldn’t. What concerns me though is I know how much water she has had and it’s a lot. There is no way she would be dehydrated. So now I’m worrying there is an issue with her kidneys

[SmokingGun]

My DM has MS which unfortunately results in regular UTI’s (however only starts a course of Tremethiprim after positive dipstick result). Nearly all of her dipsticks I check suggest she is dehydrated when she certainly isn’t. If you are worried could you do a fluid chart?

[Bowwowjangles]

Thanks @SmokingGun sorry to hear about your DM x
Yes we keep a water diary with school. So I know exactly how much she is drinking. She is drinking a full adult sized bottle of water. I’ve attached the one we use at home. But it’s a very good size. School informed me today she drank upto the 5pm like before lunch today. So I know she’s definitely not dehydrated today. She does go to the toilet a lot though, any fluid just goes straight through her. She was on oxybutin but they took her off it because of facial flushing and the uti’s.

[SmokingGun]

Thank you, not been the best week with her but next week can only get better

It sounds like it is just the way the dipsticks are reading then. To be honest, I do find they aren’t the greatest and we have tried several different types - there are times where DM’s protein or leukocytes look fine but there is definetly an infection brewing. Has your GP asked you to drop off a sample pre commencement of the tremethiprim? Our GP has a machine that can read the results and double check against what the dipstick is showing. Might be worth doing for a piece of mind?

[Rainbowsandflowers78]

Could she have thrush from the Antibiotics?

I think all dipsticks always show that test as dehydrated when they aren’t really so don’t worry too much - real dehydration would show by lack of energy, dry mouth etc

If there was something very wrong from the dmsa they would contact you urgently I’m sure. It’s a long time to wait until March - can you ask for a phone appointment to discuss results?

[Bowwowjangles]

My friend has MS @SmokingGun. I really feel for you. I hope that’s the right thing to say.

She was having her samples checked every 2 weeks by GP but then the hospital referred to a well-known children’s hospital and we’ve had to start again really. Obviously, their priority has been getting the urine infections under control hence the daily antibiotic.

@Rainbpwsandflowers78 yes she does get thrush from the antibiotics. We have some cream they prescribed for that. Daft question, but does that show on a dipstick?

I rang the specialist's secretary, but she said we are given the results in the clinic.

Would you say the nitrates are high? I thought it was trace. I think though judging how much water she has had maybe the sample was too dilute and I will test again in the morning.

Thank you for your help ladies

[despondentatwork]

Positive Nitrites withdraws suggest infection is present. Call your GP Out of Hours in the morning. TBH, the SG isn’t really too important, especially in terms of infection.

[despondentatwork]

Don’t know where ‘withdraws’ cape from 🙄

[despondentatwork]

Came 😖
Hope your DD is ok, it’s difficult & frustrating for you both.

[Bowwowjangles]

Thank you, @despondentatwork
So, is trace a positive then?

[Rainbowsandflowers78]

Not an expert but I’d say a trace is positive

I don’t know re thrush and dipsticks. My dc was on long term antibiotics and got thrush a lot- it generally showed by a red bottom and not wanting to wee.

If they aren’t contacting you re the scan then it’s not too urgent and therefore good news

[Bowwowjangles]

@Rainbowsandflowers78 they just said she's made an appointment for you for the 21st March. To be honest the first appointment took that long I thought this was quite soon.
I will ring GP tomorrow. She's on antibiotics daily though so maybe it will keep it at bay?

[despondentatwork]

Yes-any Nitrites at all suggests an infection. Blood & protein & leukocytes may or may not be infection & all samples should be lab processed to reveal sensitivities to appropriate antibiotic treatment. And even if she’s on daily prophylactic treatment, unfortunately she can still get a UTI. Thrush can show up on a lab processed urine sample result BTW, if you think she may also have that.

[Bowwowjangles]

Oh, bugger!
Thanks @despondentatwork
The urologist said they were going to look into all the samples as sometimes can show bugs just in the vagina so a different kind of infection. Would this be indicative of the nitrates? As it happens I know she's had all sorts In her samples so this isn't the case previously.

[MummySparkle]

I have no advice OP but I had terrible recurrent UTIs as a child and also had daily trimethoprim for years it tastes VILE

I'm 27 now and, though still prone to UTIs, probably only have 5 or 6 a year now. A very kind out of hours Dr once gave me a double prescription for antibiotics, so I always have a stash at home. I'll get myself an appointment as soon as I have symptoms and provide a sample, but it means I can take the first dose or two straight away. It's made such a difference, especially at weekends!

[Bowwowjangles]

Thanks @MummySparkle
It's good to know it gets better. Did they never get to the bottom as to why?

[prettymess]

Nitrites is infection.

I had UTIs since very little and they weren’t treated properly. I have scarring and atrophy. Now kidney stones and horrid pain. I feel for her. It’s horrible and I’m pleased it’s all being investigated.

I dipstick at home and the SG varies throughout the day.

[MummySparkle]

Mine was to do with my kidneys. I've got 3 there's 2 on the right hand side. One is non functioning, the other is small. My left one has been overworked it's entire life. Because of that I've got loads of scarring on my bladder, kidneys and all of the tubes. I have to start taking the antibiotics straight away because the infection travels straight to my kidneys, sometimes before I've even noticed and symptoms (eg overnight) also if I leave it too long between going for a wee then I start getting lower back pain, I think this might be to do with my extra kidney trying and failing to work because all of the tubes around that are scarred and it's useless anyway. I now make sure I fully empty my bladder each time I go for a wee. Usually means sitting there for a few minutes to keep emptying. My family are very glad we live in a house with 2 toilets!

[prettymess]

3 kidneys! I’ve got a double ureter.

[MummySparkle]

See now that is mind boggling to me. Could you theoretically be pregnant twice at the same time?!

[MummySparkle]

Oh, totally misread that as uterus

[Bowwowjangles]

Thanks @prettymess
oh god that's awful. Yes, they are checking to make sure no lasting damage has been done. It's heartbreaking as she says 'when will my wee problem go.' she gets proper upset and fed up with it all.

@MummySparkle wow! 3 kidneys!!
Sorry did make me chuckle about the uterus

[prettymess]

Oh goodness that made me laugh!

[MummySparkle]

In my defence I didn't have my glasses on...

Bowwowjangles it's so horrible when you can't do anything to help them isn't it? I'm glad it's being investigated though