Microscopic blood in urine - worried

[Tanfastic]

About three months ago I thought I was getting a bout of cystitis. I'm 43 and not had cystitis since my twenties. Went to docs, said no infection but microscopic blood in urine so gave me antibiotics and that was that.

Last week symptoms came back but slightly worse. Went to docs again who did a dip test and said there were "all sorts growing" , gave me three day course of anti b's. I initially felt the anti b's had worked but have felt the symptoms returning last few days (frequent urinating, pressure down below, slight burning when weeing but this has since subsided). So I went back to the walk in centre today and they did another dip test which was negative but they've said it had microscopic traces of blood in it. They are sending it off for further testing in case they've missed something but have said they can't give me further antibiotics at this stage and ti wait the results.

Now what is worrying me is the blood in my urine. Why is this still present when the infection has apparently gone?

I do suffer from health anxiety and Dr Google has suggested my symptoms may point to bladder cancer so I'm now planning my funeral obvs .

Anyone any experience of this?

Bumping!

Try not to panic. This is actually quite common. What you might have is the start of something called PBS- painful bladder syndrome or as it used to be called IC- interstitial cystitis. This is an inflammation of the lining of the bladder with no infection.
I'd forget about bladder cancer- it's so rare in women of your age that it's almost unheard of.

What you do need to do is to take action to atop the symptoms getting worse because they can become chronic (I know- have suffered.) This means changing what you drink and eat because everything you drink or eat gets to the bladder. I advise reading the info on the COB Foundation website. You should find a lot of help there. Cut out tea and coffee, fizzy drinks, booze, fruit juices, acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes, spicy foods and (sometimes) garlic and onions. Drink plain still mineral water or weak herbal teas for a while and see how it goes. The other issue is hormones- if you are peri menopausal then low oestrogen can cause bladder symptoms that feel like an infection but aren't. The treatment for that is vaginal oestrogen cream.

Thanks so
Much for your reply .

I'm terrible, always think the worst but googling doesn't help. I need to stop it.

I did look at the stats for bladder cancer and yes id be pretty unlucky to get it given my age, sex and the fact I'm a non smoker.

Thanks again for putting my mind at rest somewhat though.

Just wanted to update this in case anyone searching for the same thing comes across it. I know how frustrating it is when there's no update on a zombie thread from the op!

Well my lab results never came back which I can only conclude they were lost in transition, no idea. No explanation was offered to me.

However I carried in getting symptoms, but nothing major but it was totally freaking me out thinking I had blood in my urine and by last weekend I'd more or less planned my own funeral (slight over reaction but there we are). I took myself to the walk in centre again where they did another dipstick test which showed no infection but again plus one for blood . Was told they would (again) send it to the lab and to make an appointment with my GP. Mentioned I'd probably have to go for a kidney scan and further tests. Well I was shitting myself.

Anyway went to GP this morning. Results are back from the lab. Showing no red blood cells but I do still have an infection. GP has given me a seven day course of antibiotics. He said he never gives the three day antibiotics as in his opinion it's not long enough.

So the moral of my story really is never completely trust a dipstick result, get it sent to the lab!

Hi, glad you're sorted! I didn't see your thread initially, but as a past frequent sufferer, 3 days is not enough to clear my infections. Also the first line antibiotics don't work on me. plus the dip tests hardly ever show anything on me cos I've usually drank a million litres of water by the time I've seen the gp. I take a sample straight away at home now if I feel the symptoms coming on. Go back to the gp if the problems persist after this course.

Hope the longer course sorts it.

Ive had a chronic infection for years and am now under the top specalist in the country. He says even lab test results can't be trusted as they miss 80% of infections. He goes by symptoms, he says if you have symptoms of a UTI then you have a uti.

Well I hope it sorts me out....It's been months since my original symptoms. I'm probably very lucky it hadn't travelled to my kidneys and it's only been a relatively low grade infection possibly.

I'm just relieved the lab test results have confirmed no red blood cells as this is what was panicking me and I was getting waaaaay ahead of myself diagnosing myself with all sorts.

I did also wonder if I have a prolapse because for the last few months it's been uncomfortable to put a tampon in. I even gave up this month as I could feel it constantly. GP seems to think this will be because I've got an infection and I do admit when I feel/press around my urethral area to the front of my vaginal wall it's quite tender.

Bloody hell who'd be a woman eh?

Just come on her to post a similar thread. Had cystitis and treated, no symptoms now but told blood in urine still and have to go back next week with another sample. I too am now panicking like mad that it's something serious thinking about the cancer adverts etc.

Minims, don't suffer for weeks like I did honestly I feel shit today, much worse than yesterday.

Have you had your sample sent off to the lab to be cultured?

And try not to google, nothing will reassure you, I've been there!

Thanks tanfastic, no was just done at GP who says I have to go back with another sample in a week. I have had issues with thrush as well on and off for last two years as well as 4 bouts of cystitis. Wondering if it is all linked. Thrush tests always come back clear but I have the symptoms. Going to try and up fluid intake cut down on tea and hopefully it will clear itself up. I don't have any symptoms of uti at moment. Already googled stupid me I know.

I must have had this for weeks whilst all the faffing about and some days I didn't feel so bad either and thought it may have gone or I was imagining it.

Today however I've been grim. Weeing razor blades and pelvic fullness. I've not got frequency though like I did at the beginning. I just hope these antibiotics sort it out. I was first given a three day course of Macrobid. I've now been given seven days of trimoprothen.

If you don't feel any better have you got a walk in centre you can go to? That is where I went and I mentioned I was concerned as the dipstick showed blood but no infection and that's when they said they'd send it to the lab for a culture.

My doc told me today incidentally not to drink anything acidic and this includes cranberry juice! No good for a UTI apparently! Just water or milk etc, absolutely no fruit juices.

Apparently lots of areas are immune to trimoprothen, so don't leave it too long if things don't improve. They don't work for me.

Thanks, will keep a close eye on things. I felt terrible this morning, I've only taken one so far and the burning has subsided a bit. Not sure if it's just coincidence though. We will see!

Tanfastic sounds terrible. Tram what ever it is does work for me usually but only given 3 days worth last time. I really struggle with antibiotics as I have IBS and they make me very poorly but Tram doesn't upset me so hoping maybe it is just a leftover from infection before? I know what you mean about imagining it as I feel I do that sometimes too. Like you said before who would be a woman!

Transfastic hope you are feeling better soon. Thinking about it I do have that fullness feeling no walk in I know of close by.

Well infection has come back, now on third lot of antibiotics and awaiting a second lab culture test. The dip test again showed no infection but a trace of blood as did the last but according to the nurse I saw at my GP practice today the last lab results showed "widespread bacteria growth". She seemed quite perplexed by this. Said something about it might not be an infection but a chemical imbalance but because it's my third lot of antibiotics they have to refer me to a urologist for further tests.

So that has put the wind up me now but I suppose at least they will know what they are talking about.

That's good that you are being refered. It all seems so complicated doesn't it. I'm fed up of worrying about it and feeling twinges and wondering what it could all be

Yes me too. The nurse said today that because I'd had three uti's is the reason for referral but I haven't had three, I've had one that hasn't gone away. I am just praying this latest lot of antibiotics do the trick but I can't see it.

Nc. Like I said up thread: you could do with the stronger antibiotics. Trimoprothen never gets rid of my utis, and a lot of the country is now resistant to them. Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks - this is what I'm thinking, I feel the antibiotics working to a degree but as soon as I stop taking them I get the niggle again and that's all it is really, it's no biggie, just an irritation like it's not that bad but not quite gone.