Please help - UTI advice - I’m desperate

[KatiesbigsisterSue]

Hi all,

Since April I’ve had issues down below. Started to get a pinching pain around my vagina, urge to pee more. Took a 3 day course of antibiotics and they helped. But symptoms came back.

Mix of pain, aching, burning all over.

Examined internally by nurse, urine sample dipped, swabs taken and all ok.

Still persisted. Saw GP and was prescribed oestrogen cream. It’s been torture. I’ve had some pain free days which I think might be related to my cycle.

I suffer from health anxiety and at the moment with these ongoing symptoms it has spiralled. I’m back on anti anxiety meds, which I started last week.

At some points I’ve felt my bladder isn’t quite right, slight more urgency at times but not consistent. Sunday and Monday I had this but it was contacts for a few hours at a time. I did breathing exercises and managed to sleep well.

Saw GP yesterday and there is blood and protein in urine so they’ve sent it away to the lab and started me on antibiotics.

Since the GP I’ve not stopped needing to pee. And I mean not stopped. I constantly feel bursting. And very little comes out. I was up all night.

I took my first AB last night at 5.45pm. I assumed they would have started to work by now?

Im absolutely demented. Please any advice about how to stop this constant urge would be welcome, I don’t know what to do with myself.

I was out getting acupuncture to try and relax me and have come home and had d mannose too. The one I got also has cranberry and vitamin C in it, hoping that’s ok

Not sure on your age but drop in estrogen can wreak literal havoc with your pelvic region, if you'd be up for HRT, or haven't seen a private clinic to get a decent prescription I would do that without delay.

Keep taking the antibiotics @KatiesbigsisterSue

Sounds like you have cystitis.

I had antibiotics for 3 days it wasn’t enough. I think a lot of women need a course for 5 days. Weirdly my husband got a urine infection and he got prescribed antibiotics for 7 days so I don’t know why they routinely prescribe 3 days worth for women.

I started vaginal oestrogen 4.5 weeks ago.

also been given an HRT script but yet to start it

As soon as I do a pee, I need another immediately after. Literally bursting straight away. Surely to god this isn’t normal?

It’s classic cystitis symptoms.

Oh OP I really sympathise with you, I too have suffered with chronic recurring UTIs and it’s truly awful. I would ask for cephalexin as that’s the only oral antibiotic that would shift it for me except IV antibiotics. Also try the cranberry supplements, a good woman’s probiotic (to avoid any yeast infection from the anti-bs) and really up your fluid intake. Stop drinking any fizzy drink or caffeine and avoid spicy foods. I also find a heating pad or hot water bottles on the lower tummy or between your legs really helps with the aching and urgency. Good luck OP it’s really shit I know

I was thinking this too. Sounds like classic cystitis. OP you can buy powders for this in the chemist. You don’t need a prescription. I’ve suffered long term with UTI’s, so much so that I’m on low dose antibiotics every night. It’s keeps them
at bay.

You can also get prescriptions for antibiotics for UTIs from pharmacists in the UK now I believe.

Though I think you’re already on antibiotics @KatiesbigsisterSue but they aren’t working yet?

Only mentioning for completeness but pee after vag sex and condoms/lubricants can make it worse. Drink lots. Sorry sounds awful. Keep going back to gp if antibiotics are not working, you might need something stronger.

I had recurrent UTIs over about a year and it was awful as antibiotics didnt seem to be clearing the infection.. Someone on here recommended Boots cranberry extract vitamin tablets. They're about £3 for a months supply.

I took them regularly at first and I haven't had an infection for about 18 months. Such a relief! I now just take one when I feel I'm getting a bit run down or it's hot and there's a chance I'm dehydrated, which used to trigger infection.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with constant irritation. I'd get cystitis sachets to change the ph. That can help. Then nettle tea is actually really good. I use a Pukka one called Radiance. It releases all the retained water. And get a tena pad so you don't have to rush for the toilet so much. I've had them for years. You will feel more comfortable with these measures until the AB kick in.

I have these symptoms every 6 months or so,used to be more frequent.Google Vulvadynia.I think that how you spell it.
Uti checks came back ok,gynae investigations were fine but the aching burning pain around my vulva and the constant need to pee is horrific.

Thanks all. I did some relaxation earlier as it was consuming me. And managed to fall asleep for an hour or so.

I started anti anxiety meds last week due to health anxiety so this hasn’t helped at all. I dare say it’s exacerbated it.

I’ve taken 2 doses of d mannose today along with my antibiotics. Lots of water, but only when thirsty. Praying to god they kick in asap.

I had similar in 2021 though didn’t have the blood and protein in my urine - hoping that resolves too.

Whenever I have a UTI I find sitting in a hot bath relieves the symptoms somewhat.
Someone will probably be a long in a minute to say that's bad for you but it certainly helps me in the short term.

Have you tested positive for uti? I’ve had the symptoms you describe and it was thrush. I actually tested negative for thrush - the only reason I know it actually was thrush is because pessaries cured it.

I did this tonight - I was desperate and it was the only relief I have had. No soap etc just water and tried to read my book.

thank you

It’s torture isn’t it.

I had similar a few yrs ago.
Started as an uncomplicated UTI.
3 days of meds do nothing. I always need 7 to 10 days.
Water water water no fizzy drinks, coffee or eating curries.
No shower gel no perfumed washing liquids or powder no scented fabric softener.
No perfumed toilet paper or wipes.
I also have HA, so I was concerned, this anxiety can make UTIs worse as your muscles tense.
Long story short it did go. It does come back sometimes as a UTI or some as cystitis which calms after a few days.
It's rotten I sympathise.

So sorry you are going through this. I hope you will contact your gp again and not risk any kidney infection developing.

Just in case - have you got any other symptoms that seem completely unrelated- maybe skin irritation (perhaps a rash, or psoriasis), sore/red eyes, exhaustion, gum problems, joint pain, digestive problems, for instance IBS like symptoms? Do you get severe flare ups - including some of these symptoms- when tired or stressed? Asking because there is a form of inflammatory arthritis that can (I believe) cause (among other things) what may present as persistent/recurrent UTIs with inflammation but no bacteria detected by dip sticks.

I’m on antibiotics for a UTI and I found my symptoms were even worse on day one of taking them but today hasn’t been as painful. Last night was unbearable and I couldn’t stop weeing all afternoon today but I feel settled and pain free tonight.

Keep taking them, shower and don’t bath, drink lots of water. The pharmacist talk me nothing acidic for a few days and to drink cranberry juice as it helps flush out the bacteria that clings on.

how are you feeling today?

Thank you for asking - Far less urgency from last night in to today. Still peeing probably slightly more than I usually would but nothing like it was. Hoping that continuing with the AB’s will help.

That sounds great. Please keep up the d mannose - it was a game changer for me and is scientically proven, and please drink a lot in general, not just when you're very thirsty. Honestly I would say a pint every 2 hours at the minimum. Obviously you may not want to reveal details but for me it is strongly sex-related, and I read studies on it, for example wash before sex, make sure partner has washed his hands, wee within 10 minutes of sex. basically ensure no e coli can get near your urethra. Sorry if grim. If I know I'm having sex I will take the d mannose with water as my next drink afterwards and it wards it off. You need to get it at that first horrible tingle when weeing, or that sign that you've just weed and yet you feel you have to go again straight away.