Any medics around? UTI urinalysis query

[ItsOoooon]

I came down with uti symptoms yesterday and started antibiotics last night as I always have some in the cupboard. My urinalysis sticks were out of date so I didn’t have any to test my sample. I didn’t think to keep any urine, but ordered more sticks.

I’ve taken 2 tablets (100mg nitro) and feeling no better which is unusual for me so I was worried that I don’t have a uti at all and maybe it’s thrush (as also feeling a bit tingly in the vagina area)

I have just dipped my urine and it’s negative except for blood. So leukocytes and nitrates are negative when reading at the appropriate time. The stick dries down to positive for leukocytes though but it’s outside the 90-120 second time period. It also dries down speckled rather than a solid colour (like non-haem RBC) which I’ve never seen before.

does this mean I don’t have a uti, or that I do but the antibiotics are working?

yesterday urine was cloudy with bits floating in it, today it’s clear but bright yellow thanks to the nitro.

as I say there’s no symptom improvement, I’m still really uncomfortable and was planning on using a canesten pessary this evening as I’d kind of told myself it couldn’t be a uti as antibiotics aren’t doing anything and usually I get some kind of relief within hours of my first dose. I literally want to rip out my bladder and remove my vulva at the moment 😩 and going on a work course first thing tomorrow morning and feeling utterly miserable

LOADS of people keep left over antibiotics and take them as they’d really fit.

@Edenmum2 maybe RTFT.

Hello. Fellow recurrent UTI sufferer here! The dipstick tests are not a reliable way to test for infection - your bladder can be inflamed (showing positive for leukocytes) without an infection. And both nitrates and leukocytes could be negative and you still have an infection, it just hasn't been picked up.

Saying that, the bacteria that cause infections release nitrates, so if you're positive for nitrates you definitely have a UTI.

Soo... I would ignore what the dipstick says and go off your symptoms.

It's standard practice for people with recurrent UTIs to have a repeat script of antibiotics & start treating themselves at the onset of symptoms without seeing a doctor every time - lots of urologists prescribe this.

When I worked in GP, granted 9 years ago, such patients are simultaneously asked to drop of samples to reception, so that organisms can be assessed for resistance... else if doesn't respond to initla treatment you're then not sure what the bug is sensitive to, to try as 2nd line

If its a frequent event I'd be looking at prophylaxis testament, ensure had had an ultrasound for structural abnormalities etc (also consider vaginally atrophy if menopausal type age as that gives v simular symptoms and often gives an isolated positive blood finding and easily treated

@Destiny123 very different now, my GP isn’t bothered about seeing me at all for UTIs. Infact they’ve only seen me once in the last couple of years and I’ve had 6 in the last 12 months.

they have offered prophylactic ABs but not a referral. I have however had a urinary tract USS done (2020) for something else.

i have always noticed improvement after 1 dose. I am now halfway through the course so definitely would have expected an improvement.

I’d strongly recommend asking for a referral and a cystoscope

And if you aren’t recovered at the end of the course you may need different antibiotics or a longer course so call the gp

@thaegumathteth 99% are caused by sex though, so is it worth it? I thought a cyto is meant to be painful.

yeah I will have to. Just annoying I am away on a course so I don’t know that I can actually see my GP before Monday! 😩 sooooooo sore right now.

Please make time to see a GP if needed. Urosepsis is not nice!

Sex shouldn’t give you a UTI. Or at least, you can’t assume it’s nothing structural without checking.

Isn’t sex a common cause though because don’t they say cystitis is ‘honeymooners’ disease?

I know that’s how I got once it. Within a couple of hours of one dose of the anti biotics I felt SO much better.

Just passing and thought I'd mention a couple of things. I had repetitive cystitis years ago. I was referred and had the camera and a biopsy. Was nothing to worry about but it had the great result that I never had cystitis afterwards. I wondered whether a good flush out somehow helped!! Secondly I currently have a stuck kidney stone. I feel constantly uncomfortable with cystitis like and thrush like symptoms. Only difference is no razor blades when I go - just a constant need to go. My sticks are showing the same as yours.

I have a stock of antibiotics (prescribed by my GP after seeing a specialist) and take one after sex. Seems to do the trick.

yes it’s common but you can’t assume there’s no reason for it ie a structural issue

Sounds v dodgey management imho, 6x in 12m needs further looking into.

Different types of cystoscopy, flexible can be done in a clinic room with local anaesthetic gel, more extensive ones (biopsies/stones etc) come to us in theatre for spinal/GA

This. If you’re approaching menopause this needs to be ruled out before you constantly take antibiotics.

@Destiny123 bleh. I really don’t want to 😢 sounds absolutely horrendous and I’ve had my fair share of medical procedures including surgeries, lletz, colonoscopy, breast lump biopsies…

@DeafLeppard i’m 38 with no menopause symptoms at present.

Hi Op, fellow sufferer here. UTIs have been the bane of my life. So many visits to the doctors for Nitro or trimethoprim. Had scans and nothing was found. I’m now on long term trimethoprim, 100mg every night. It seems to keep the UTIs away as I haven’t had one for a long time. Might be worth asking your doctor. Good luck.

P.S. If you are in pain, nothing wrong with taking painkillers to help you.

D mannose usually has to be taken regularly for several weeks-months to prevent UTIs. It's mode of action is quite different to nitrofurantoin etc and shouldn't lead to antibiotic resistance.

@GenerousGardener ooo I bet that feels good. I feel like it’s a balance between being on long term antibiotics and just taking them as and when, and when do I tip over into it’s best to be on a preventative? I really don’t like taking medication, I’ll suffer a headache for 3 days before I’ll even think of paracetamol. I’m pleased you’ve found relief 💕

@JollyGreenSnake i didn’t realise that. I thought it worked by the bacteria attaching to it so could be used as and when. It’s so expensive too!

dipstick this morning is now completely negative, no blood, nitrates and leukocytes staying negative (was positive but only after the time period for reading last night). Hopefully this means the antibiotics are working?! I was up in the night super uncomfortable and had to go to the toilet twice Still feeling sore externally this morning, I’m sure those who know understand that sore urethra feeling! But so far no bladder tingles… although the bladder is completely empty atm so who knows.

Only 3 more pills left to go including the one I’m about to have with breakfast. let’s hope it’s enough to fully clear this out have me symptom free 🤞 usually by now I’d have a little niggle after going for a wee, never had symptoms this bad for this long before.

Not that I've had one, but I've seen many have them under local anaesthetic and look far less uncomfortable than most of what you've listed already. Tbh I would to rule out any other underlying cause as that's an awful lot for a short period of time

I think pharmacists can provide UzTI treatment in England.

I had frequent UTIs. Eventually I had one so bad I collapsed with pain. GP referred me for an ultrasound scan as she suspected kidney stones. I actually had a non-functioning kidney which kept getting infected and which had to be removed (a few months later) as it was a sepsis danger. so it’s worth getting a scan at least.

Wow that’s awful! I hope you’re ok now?

I actually had a ct scan recently which covered my kidneys and all fine, plus I’ve had a kidney and bladder ultrasound in 2020 due to another health issue. Kidney function is regularly monitored via blood tests due to other medical things.

antibiotics appear to finally be working today but I only have 1 dose left, I think I need a longer course as symptoms are still there plus still positive for blood on dipstick.

If you think you need more then call your gp first thing do not wait because stopping and starting is exactly how to create an resistance