To wonder why antibiotics aren't working? UTI

[Babysharkdoodoodood]

So I've had a uti since mid January. Now on my third antibiotic. First was nitrofurantoin, then augmentin and now clarithromycin. I've got a fast track appointment for urology as well as also been passing blood and spent 8 delightful hours in a & e last weekend.

I am just sooooo peed off with the pain. Haven't been able to go to the gym as it hurts when I work out, when I walk or run. Also been given vagifem pessaries for my dried out menopausal vag. Sigh.

Just having a rant really. Going back to work on Tuesday and having to use Uber as I can't trust my bladder on a long bus trip.

Also a bit worried as had bc before and gp handed me a cancer research info leaflet when he fast tracked me, without explanation. Never thought I'd be hoping for kidney stones again.

Have they tested your urine for which bacteria it is? Then they can make sure the antibiotics they're giving you will work on that strain. And your strain isn't resistant to that antibiotic.

I used to regularly get them until it was tested and I now have coamoxiclav which kills whatever causes it.

How long are the courses of antibiotics? I had "recurrent" infections, which in hindsight given I was being given sporadic 3 day courses of antibiotics by my gp, was actually just 1 very aggressive prolonged infection - basically the short course helped, but didn't clear the issue. Last one I had private dr prescribed 10 day course - very different to nhs experience!

I had a low level UTI for 3 years once. I went to the gp a few times and got tested and antibiotics prescribed but as soon as I’d get to the end of the course it would just come back again. In the end it went on it’s own, I’ve no idea how! Hang on in there op, keep going back to the dr.

You urine should be have cultures taken to find which antibiotic it reacts too and this can then be used to treat it. Some people can have a long term bacteria in the bladder which may have periods of flaring up, this can be managed with long term use of antibiotics, although it could just be due to antibiotic resistance.
Please do not panic about the cancer leaflets. People are usually fast tracked when the condition ticks enough boxes to consider cancer (this does not mean it is cancer, so please do not panic) but you will be seen within a 2 week period.

Plenty of fluids, cranberry, barley can help too

I had urine infections for 3 years and seen a urologist. Think it had something to do with anemia as it went when I started taking iron.

I had bacterial growth in the urine for 8 years eventually leading to passing blood and mucus. Its was a missed kidney stone and antibiotics couldn't fix the problem. It
Could be the same for you .

I dont want to scare you but my DM had what she thought was a kidney infection that lasted for months and after lots of different antibiotics not working they looked into it further and found she had cervical cancer.

Hopefully you wont be waiting long for the urology appt

How long have you been on Vagifem? You need it daily for at least 2 weeks

Thanks for replies.
I've given about 5 samples now. At A&E they said the Augmentin I was on should sort it. Nope.

I've been on each course for 7 days so nothing sporadic.

I did have a suspected kidney stone in 2017 and I was really ill with pylonephritis so maybe it's that flaring up again. Hopefully it'll get sorted this time. Just googled the latest antibiotic and it's not used for uti's usually. I think the gp is just throwing things at it now, especially as there's a few, like ciprofloxacin that I can't take.

I was going to private, as in on DH's medical plan but the appointment came through so fast I'm going to go ahead with the nhs.

@glitterbiscuits I've just finished the 2 weeks and going onto the twice weekly now.

You can take it more often than twice a week.
I think the guidelines say 5 times.
It helped me after about a month. Then a few months later I re-did the loading dose as the symptoms stated to come back.
Eventually, I went into full HRT. When my doctor said Vagifem will help my bladder systems I thought she was mad. I didnt have any menopause symptoms, still had regular periods and was in my late 40s. But it did help, it just took a long time to get going.
I hope you feel better soon. It's really debilitating.

This is me 14 months ago I’m now under a consultant and on low dose long term antibiotics and having regular bladder installations. Look up interstitial cystitis and try d mannose.
If you want to ask any questions please feel free to PM me

I've had this for years, turns out I have an ulcerated bladder. On a waiting list tp see consultant. www.ichelp.org/about-ic/symptoms-of-ic/hunners-ulcers/

If they want to try another antibiotic ask if you can be put on Doxycycline. I find it's the only thing that shifts my chest infections when the others fail to work. It treats more severe or rare bacterial infections and also STIs.

Might be something to discuss with your doctor. I hope you feel better soon

You haven't mentioned trimethoprim. That is the antibiotic I've found is mainly given in the first instance. Unless your urine sample has shown the bacteria is not sensitive to it.

My endless UTIs were the direct result of my menopausal dried out thinning vag combined with a new satisfying relationship . I get urethritis rather than cystitis. (Sorry RL friends, TMI I know). Gynae said ‘hmm, we need to toughen up the tissues down there’, HRT has pretty much solved the problem.

I struggle with recurrent UTI.
The worse one lasted Jan - Aug 2010. I was peeing blood once or twice a week throughout.
The consultant urologist put me on low dose nitrofurantoin for I think 6 months. He was under the impression that the higher dose was killing everything so I had no good bacteria to try and fight the infection.
You have my sympathy, its awful. I remember sitting on our stone outside steps to try and stop the constant burning.

Sounds like vaginal atrophy causing UTI symptoms- take vagifem for at least 7-8 weeks to see an improvement- if nothing happens ask for intrarosa which is a different type of hormonal pessary and take it every night

Have they done urine cultures, @Babysharkdoodoodood? It’ll figure out what bacteria it is & what antibiotics should shift it.

It sounds like you have things in hand and I hope the NHS gives you a quick fix.

Those who have had it for months and years HOW?! Oh my days I cry if I get it for a week and cry if I think I might be getting it. Intolerable.

Google chronic uti that’s what I have and am on long course of antibiotics and also hiprex + vitamin c

Clarithomycin will shift it, it's pretty hardcore. I've been through this op and the only thing that got me better in the end was when the Dr prescribed me buscopan. It just helped my bladder to relax and function properly. That and loads of fluids.
Ps last year I had a horrible chest infection that took 3 lots of antibiotics. Sometimes you are just unlucky, try not to worry. In the meantime you can now buy buscopan over the counter, you'd have to say it was for ibs though probably, but it will help.

Have you considered if it’s interstitial cystitis? I used to have that and it was horrendous. I’m mainly okay now because I never drink anything other than water - everything else irritates me.
Have they sent your urine to be cultured?
When you have it cultured they take a small amount with a swab and spread it all over the agar plate then add 7 different antibiotic discs and after incubation they measure the zones of inhibition around the discs to see whether the bacteria is sensitive or resistant to an antibiotic. So if you’re properly taking the correct antibiotic then there is no reason you’d still have symptoms.

Cranberry juice can help a bit.