To ask about urine infections

[whoamitodisabrie]

I have never suffered from UTIs until now.

I had one a couple of weeks ago and was prescribed a week long course of co-amoxiclav. I felt like it shifted and then suddenly came back and I’m take a 3 day course of trimeprothim. Tomorrow is the last day. I thought it was shifting it and now the pain in my stomach is back and I’m peeing every 5 min.

has anyone had this before and what was the outcome? They’ve sent my urine sample off and I’ll hopefully hear back on Monday but the nurse said to me that when she checked the sample there was only traces of blood and protein and if there was an infection it was very mild.

im anxious by my very nature and this is making it worse.

Has anyone had this?

I hope it helps you!

I think I have one now but it's very mild. I've got antibiotics though because it's been days of having that niggly feeling but it's not shifting even with d mannose.

I had an awful one back in October, was prescribed Trimethoprim but it didn't shift it so ended up on Nitrofurantoin which seems to work for me. This time with it being the weekend I had to go through the boots online and I've been prescribed macrobid.

They really are awful things, I've been there sitting on the toilet downing water and cranberry juice like crazy. Even when you aren't weeing everywhere just feels so uncomfortable. Horrible horrible things.

If it's not clearing up then go to the doctor, I can't remember how many times I went back last year, it was definitely once but I have a feeling it may have been twice after the first consultation. My doctor's got me an appointment with the pharmacist so that could be an option for you if getting into see an actual doctor is as impossible as is it at ours.

Hope you feel better soon, drink plenty and use a hot water bottle to help soothe the discomfort.

I’ve had one too lately, it’s been brutal! I thought it was cystitis at first, so tried those powders. Tried d mannose for the first time, it didn’t do anything noticeable, neither did painkillers. Was drinking six litres of water a day, was barely sleeping, and I was so miserable. Then I had intense kidney pain for two days. The doctors said after a urine sample that if it was an infection, it was on its way out but they’d send it off for a culture? It got better for a few days but then started to come back (At one point I was so bloated and uncomfortable, I couldn’t wear anything with a waistband), doctors then rang and said there was still signs of an infection so gave me a three day course of nitrofuraintoin, but at that point it seemed to be easing again anyway. I’m hoping it stays away, but you have my sympathy!

Op feel for you. They desperate. I got a bad one this week Im on Keflex antibiotic. God the pain of them

It happened to me when I was using the diaphragm + spermicide for contraception.

Just in case you too are, and should stop.

Check that they're growing bacterial samples to ensure whether they're antibiotic resistant. Nitrofurantoin is often used in UTI as well as trimethoprim (DD used to get lots due to kidney reflux)
Good luck

Have you done a pregnancy test at all (if your period is the only thing making you say you aren’t pregnant)?

I know someone who was sure she wasn’t pregnant, had what she thought was a normal period… now has a gorgeous little girl.

I have had frequent UTIs since I was a toddler. I have also had two kidney infections.

Familiarise yourself with the symptoms of kidney infections - they can come on very quickly.

Use those UTI relief sachets you can get at the pharmacy - they can help ease the symptoms and make you more comfortable.

Drink loads, I mean loads. When I get a UTI I often drink 2-3 pints of water. Drinking lots helps you flush the infection out.

Be prepared to push for treatment. UTIs are hell and can spread to a kidney infection which can then put you at risk of sepsis. Someone I know lost her SIL to sepsis after a UTI spread to her kidneys. Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics.

I had a massive trigger of UTIs after I had Covid, including a kidney infection.

After that I had about 10 UTIs, every time I had sex, before my GP agreed to refer me to urology. I now take hiprex (an anti bacterial) every day to reduce the bacteria in my bladder and d mannose to reduce the risk of any bacteria sticking to my bladder walls. It's working wonders (anyone else with frequent UTIs, I hope this helps).

Also, be mindful of your clothes - when I get a UTI I switch my tights and tight jeans for leggings with a loose waist or lounge pants/PJ bottoms.

Finally, I would take a pregnancy test, just in case your period was implantation bleeding. When I had my first kidney infection I was vomiting a lot, every sip of water triggered it and my GP suspected pregnancy. If that happens to you, a negative pregnancy test will be useful - my treatment was delayed until it was confirmed I wasn't pregnancy.

Poor you OP, UTIs are awful. You may need a different antibiotic to shift it. Keep drinking plenty of water and go back if it doesn't improve or gets worse.

Antibiotics can mess with your gut - my GP recommended a probiotic after I had several courses close together. I found it helped - before that I was struggling with nausea.

I take regular antihistamines and amitriptyline, then during flares paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain (sometimes cocodamol), plus as pp said buscopan because it relieves cramping which is my main problem. I had hydrodistention recently which seems to have helped 🤞
Altered diet too, less acidicity (no tomatoes for example), reduced/cut out alcohol, reduce spicy food, no fizzy drinks. Cut out all the good stuff basically 🙄

Hope you're feeling a bit better today @whoamitodisabrie

Those suggesting D Mannose - do you have a preferred brand/strength? There's a bewildering array on Amazon!

@PortalooSunset They sell it at Holland & Barrett and that's what I use

I do feel a bit better today! I’ve ordered the D Mannose on Amazon and it arrived today.

this could be the start of a lovely relationship!

I use the powder from Sweet Cures online, very quick delivery and I find it works quicker/better than the tablets.

I liked the Ovio Restore d mannose on amazon but it's currently unavailable.

I'm currently using d mannose sachets from Boots (£17!).

Before the ovio I used the effervescent tablets from H&B but they were unavailable and I switched to ovio.

Cranberry juice (lots of) and water is better than antibiotics at clearing a UTI.

Hi all!

definitely not pregnant!

@IWishTheBishopWell funny you mention covid - I’m sure I had it a few of weeks ago and I’ve had two lots of a ABs for urine infections since then.

it’s miserable.

I am now a UTI expert, having had them on and off most of my adult life, and seeing them return with a vengeance now that I'm peri-menopausal.

D-Mannose is fantastic. If that doesn't work, though, there is a more medical alternative called Hiprex. I have also found (recommended here and elsewhere) that Allitech is amazing as an antibiotic alternative - both the high-dose capsules and the liquid. I'm a complete convert.

Also, if you eat sugar, cut it out: it's singularly the worst aggravator/instigator of UTIs.

Finally, if you're of a certain age, this could be the warning sign of vulval atrophy, which can be addressed with topical oestrogen.

Cranberry juice does very little, imo - and in fact my urologist said not to touch it (high sugar content) and never to touch the alkalising sachets either.

Sweet Cures sachets/powder.

Update!

felt dire today and managed to get an appt with the nurse. My urine had been sent away on Thursday and when I turned up for the appointment she told me that the sample came
back and whatever bug I have in my
urine is resistant to trimethoprim and co amoxiclav the two I’ve been taking.

sooooo long story short, I feel fucking dire and I’ve been moved over to a 3 day course of nitrofurantoin which can be extended to 7 days if needed. Please pray this works because the nurse was talking about IV antibiotics in hospital if it doesn’t.

i feel like I’ve been completely floored and I’ve now had this UTI for three weeks.

It is a horrible thing and hope that the Nitro works. I find that it doesn't work as quickly as Trim but is more effective. The last time I had it about 3 weeks ago I had to have it extended to the full week. Look after yourself - painkillers and lots of fluids. I drink a lot of coffee to at least give me something to pee out .

Thanks @SkeletonFight

I think I’m going to ask for more antibiotics. I’ve had this for going on three weeks and it’s a wonder it’s not reached my kidneys. I don’t feel like three days is going to help. I’m lying in bed full of paracetamol and ibuprofen and it’s barely taking the edge of the pain 😖

There is very good evidence that cranberry juice is preventative for UTIs. I shifted one once without antibiotics by drinking 3 litres of the stuff each day. Antibiotics however can be really bad for you so drink as much cranberry juice as you can get hold of!

@fulbe that’s great it worked for you but I’m definitely going to stick with the nitro as well as the drinking