No UTI but so uncomfortable!

[neighbours123]

Posting here for traffic. Feel so fed up.

Prone to UTIs, but do all the right things and usually only get one every couple of years or so now. Felt one coming in after sex a couple of weeks ago, had the three days of antibiotics and felt OK straight after them.

However, since then I’ve developed discomfort around my urethra after peeing. It’s not exactly pain, but it is uncomfortable. Pressure on the area or hot baths help.

Nurse practitioner today didn’t know what it could be and when I dropped a sample in it was negative for an infection.

I haven’t felt right for two weeks now and it’s really getting me down. Has anyone had this? Has anyone got any suggestions? Is it all in my head? I feel so fed up and miserable. It’s almost like an urge or sensation that I need to go, but I don’t…

Some infections don''t show with the dipstick test. I'd go back and say you're still having problems.

Exactly as above, I work in women’s health and you’d be surprised how many urine dip tests are negative however show something when actual samples are sent to labs.
really sympathise they’re so uncomfortable!

I think they only detect 45% of infections.

I too am prone to UTIs and often “feel” I have one even if a dip stick shows negative.

for what it’s worth- a pharmacist can prescribe antibiotics based on symptoms only without a urine sample. X

Do you think it could still be a UTI, even though I don’t have cloudy urine, and pain when going? It seems weird some symptoms went but not all.

I had three days of Trimethoprim, but I’ve got access to Nitrofurantoin so I could just start taking that even though the dipstick was negative…

Definitely a UTI symptom - I'd be taking the antibiotics

I have had UTIs that didn’t respond to certain antibiotics or needed them for 5+ days.

if you google “Pharmacy first near me” you’ll find pharmacists who are able to prescribe based on your symptoms. Mine has been a life saver. If I recall he did say he could only prescribe 3 courses of antibiotics to me for UTI in a year, before I had to see a GP to rule out underlying causes… but I felt that his understanding of medication meant he prescribed what I needed and therefore I didn’t need to see a GP, and have been UTI free for months now.

I buy Nitrofurantoin online for this - I keep it in the car at all times, then I have it if I'm away on a trip and I have it at home on the driveway if needed!

How old are you OP? If you're perimenopausal/menopausal it might be vaginal atrophy (menopause really is the gift that keeps on giving).

Some infections are resistent to some antibiotics. You might need a different one.

I’m 33. Hoping not linked to menopause!

Wondering if I should try my luck with 111 and see if I get a helpful clinician. I am feeling really rough tonight. Fighting the urge to go to the loo because I know I am going to feel so much worse afterwards

Feeling worse after weekend of nitrofurantoin. Rang GP today and been given Cefalexin. Here’s hoping that does the trick! They are sending a sample off too.

Poor you! Those cystitis sachets can take the discomfort away a bit. Also paracetamol. I hope these AB work. 111 helped me a few weeks ago with a UTI, just for future reference.

I get exactly what you described every few months or so and have done since childhood, I have no idea what it is and for me it only seems to last a day and then its fine again but when I do have it I drink a lot more water so when I do go it's an actual wee I'm doing and not just a trickle, I have noticed it clears up faster this way and seems worse when I haven't drank enough, also for me it is sometimes set off by bowel issues or my period, also if you can sit with your legs up like in a fetal position that can sometimes help if it is the same as what I experience, hope you feel better soon I know how awful it is

sometimes I get this and I am sure that I have a UTI but I find that it can be helped by a thrush pessary and some cream outside.

Trimethoprim is the one antibiotic I’m resistant too it could be that
id go to a pharmacy for this problem as they can issue antibiotics now

Cefalexin was helping, but yesterday and today I feel worse 😭 111 have said it’s guesswork as to what antibiotic will help. They suggested longer course of trimethoprim as that often works for me and I didn’t have a week’s worth when this started. Am trying that and hoping it helps. Losing the will now, worried I’ll never feel better.

I could have written this. The last week, I've had stinging sensation after peeing but not during, urine clear, felt unwell in myself. Couldn't sleep for stinging, and repeated trips to toilet as bladder not fully emptying. Was at doctors twice, had 2 urine samples tested with dipstick and normal, one sent for infection check, results were clear, had 3 day course of trimethoprim. Checked for inflammation, etc and fine. Drank fluids so much I felt nauseous and I was so tired, but docs had no idea of cause, so hospital referral sent. It's been debilitating, and only some signs of uti, but it's not. It's so strange

@Iftheresawilltheresawaythat sounds terrible! I’m sorry you’re suffering. Have you been given any medication, and have your symptoms improved at all?

I hope you are seen soon, any idea if it’s an urgent referral? These kind of symptoms are awful to be struggling with repeatedly.

I was given trimethoprim for 3 days, but as result was clear, told to stop, I continued though as it had symptoms of uti, so I thought maybe cystitis. Had an awful headache for those 3 days though, so probably side effect. I got tabs to stop going to toilet so often as going up to 6 times in half hour, as weak flow, and not fully emptying. Told to only drink when thirsty. I don't know if referral urgent or not, but it seems it could be months before seen. Waiting times are awful. It's bad enough with the symptoms, but it's made worse, by the not knowing what the cause is. You're not alone. I was in feotal position, side, back, nothing helps.

I had this and tests were coming back negative - my GP thought it could be interstitial cystitis which is bladder irritation made worse by caffeine, alcohol, onions, citrus, tomatoes, acidic foods. (This isn’t traditional cystitis but also called bladder pain syndrome).

It was like I’d had a UTI and my bladder had been inflamed, and it took ages for the irritation to calm down. I did find cutting out the foods/alcohol/having less caffeine helped as well though — it might be worth avoiding them while you’re taking the antibiotics.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/interstitial-cystitis/

It will be an infection but you haven't found the tight antibiotic yet.

After my last two UTIs, I was left with bladder spasms. So all the physical sensations of a UTI, but with reduced nocturia, and none of the infection.

I was given oxybutinin to relax my bladder. Amazing. Came off after a couple of weeks and all symptoms had gone.

I’ve had exactly this recently, as did a friend from my exercise class. Long-term irritation and discomfort following a brief UTI treated with antibiotics. My samples were coming back clear for infection from the lab, but with a trace of blood. I felt quite ill and thought I had a kidney infection. Mine took ages to settle down but eventually did. I cut out alcohol, caffeine and citrus which did make a difference. My friend swore by taking probiotics specifically for women. I then recently had a bladder scan at the hospital (by which time it had eased anyway) and it was clear.