Please help bladder issues

[Mollylolly]

Hi there

I'm hoping for some help and advice .

About 3 weeks ago I had what I think was a bladder infection. It started with bladder pressure and peeing constantly . This went on for about 5 days until I went to docs . I had also dipped my urine in one of the surgeries I work in and all that showed was a trace of blood . Anyway took a sample to docs who dipped it and said nothing showing but sent it to lab to be cultured just incase . He also gave me antibiotics for 3 days . So lab results said no infection but took the antibiotics and after about 5 days it felt better .

Fast forward 2 1/2 weeks later and pressure is back with a vengeance the need to pee is awful no let up at all as soon as I pee the pressure starts immediately. I have dipped my urine and stick showing trace blood again but I honestly think my urine always shows this, symptoms or not no idea why though.

But as my health anxiety is soo bad just now I've managed to convince myself I have some awful disease and you can imagine the ones I mean .

What could this be if dipstick and lab saying no infection I'm also worrying why I have trace blood showing even though I don't know if this is just normal for me.

I've been taking natural remedies d-mannose and uvi ursi and drinking loads of water but nothing is working.

I really don't want to annoy the doctor as they are not letting anyone in the surgeries just now and they are overrun with phone consultation's.

Can anyone relate to these symptoms I'm 43 incase that helps ?

I would appreciate any input.

Thank you x

[Findingmum]

@Vinosaurus

I've had this since November! Started one night when I started needing to have a wee constantly. Assumed it was a UTI and went to the GP who put me on antibiotics but lab results came back negative. Symptoms continued and turned in to lower (like really low - just above pubis) abdominal pain/pressure/inflamed feeling with occasional sharp pains. It usually feels better in the morning before I go to the loo and as soon as I've had a wee the feeling returns. I've had periods of time (weeks every now and again) when it disappears but it always comes back.

I've just been back to the docs for the 3rd time and finally seen a GP who is taking me seriously (usual GP now on maternity leave - back on Thursday for some more tests and blood/urine rest results.

Funnily enough I had an incredibly similar thing for a good few months about 9 years ago, had a plethora of checks done then, including STI tests, which all came back negative. They never did get to the bottom of it.

I'm having these exact same symptoms as you. Can I asked did you find anything that helped?

[Chas23]

Hi, i totally relate and have been suffering for the last 6 months badly, did you recover fully, what was the cause, diagnosis and what was the treatment? Thank you.

[Collygirl]

I had exactly the same a year after having my daughter. Urge to go loo was unbearable! Antibiotics didn’t work at all, my urine was clear. After 4 months a doctor looked at me down below & it was thrush. Took ages to go. Had a camera up my bladder, it was fine. Now I’ve had my second baby I got thrush bad again. It’s cleared up but now left with pain down below. Going to see gyno now

[Clara905]

@Vinosaurus I have similar symptoms. I'm 41 and felt cystitisy on 31st July randomly..no history of UTIs ever. Its never gone away. Burning pain in my urethra and vagina. Horrid discomfort after peeing too. No infection present though. Doc thinks it could be down to low estrogen due to perimenopause, but had taken bloods now to check my estrogen levels. I'm getting a referral to urology (but will ask to see a gynaecologist too as its both areas affected). This came out of nowhere and made my life so uncomfortable with little let-up since it started. I'm on vagifem estrogen now and hoping it helps til I get to the bottom of what this is. Vaginal Atrophy sounds similar when I research my symptoms though.

[Mollylolly]

Hi how are you did everything turn out OK?

[Vinosaurus]

So it turns out my CA125 is elevated - around 45-48 (can't remember what she said now!) so she's arranging an urgent scan. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried - especially since I am (and have been for a few days now) dog tired and also have a lower backache to add to the pelvic pain...all of which are listed as ovarian cancer signs.

She did say that she thought it was very unlikely, considering age/no risk factors, but she has to check it out before she refers me to anyone. And if the scan is clear (please) then it's a question as to whether she refers me to gynae, gynae-urology, urology, or gastro (as I've had gastro problems for years now).

So the saga continues.

[gingergiraffe]

@BeKind88. Thanks for asking. Sorry, I have no idea about actual medication but just know that initially when it all started back in November 2018 dil started with 3 day antibiotics from gp which were no help. Returned to gp who told her nothing was showing in sample and eventually told it was probably all in her mind and to go back to work. This caused huge anxiety with continued pain and needing to go to the toilet. She quit her job.

The private consultant said the nhs does not test as extensively as private doctors. Something did show up and since then she has received numerous different medications and regular urine tests, but obviously recently these have not been possible due to the virus, so she has only had video consultations and no testing. She is still getting flare ups and suffering symptoms on occasion and also getting regular thrush outbreaks due to the antibiotics. Still not working, so has had a long period, coupled with isolation from the virus of being at home feeling very down.

Dil had an infection about ten years ago when abroad so maybe this infection has never gone away.

Sorry I cannot give more specific details and hope you get some help and relief. I think that actually getting a diagnosis and feelIng that someone is listening to you and believing you makes a huge difference to your well being. It could be a long road to recovery which you may realise, having read the article. Diagnosis and treatment for utis is sadly an underfunded and neglected area of health.

[BeKind88]

@gingergiraffe

I read the guardian article - very interesting!
I was very prone to UTIs and would often end up at hospital because of them but not had one in years. However who know, bacteria could have been lying dormant! And never fully cleared!

Thanks for this!

How is she getting on privately? I’m considering going private too? Get the feeling my GP is so fed up talking to me - although I am very fed up having to phone myself!

[gingergiraffe]

I suggest you google chronic utis, the guardian. Interesting article. You are not alone. My dil has suffered for 18 months and eventually sought private help as she lost faith in her gp. Utis can lie dormant for years and when the symptoms disappear, then reappear, you think it is a new infection but it is not. It can be a long journey back to normality and sadly my dil is not there yet. My greatest sympathies for you all. It can be really debilitating and causes huge anxieties.

[Vinosaurus]

I had a swan for BV - that is one thing they did test me for early on. Wasn't it :(

[oxymomon]

Wow, I have the exact same issue...

[MrsGxx]

I thought symptoms sounded similar too. Most definitely ask for a swab and keep me updated, fingers crossed 🤞 xx

[BeKind88]

@MrsGxx

This is really good to know!! This is sounding very similar to me! And reassuring too, as I’ve been thinking it could be all sorts!

But good to know you had antibiotics too and symptoms still came back.
Thanks!! And glad you are starting to feel better - hopefully it goes away for good this time!
Xx

[YoBigMomma]

Your bladder can be hugely affected my the nerves running off your spinal cord in to the spinal canal (lumbar region) a bulging/slipped disc can give you bladder issues that range from constantly needing to go, to not being aware that you need to go.

Maybe something to look at for many of you if all other options have been exhausted 💐

[MrsGxx]

I had 2 different swabs the usual for STI’s and then one for BV/PID.
I have also had 3 lots of antibiotics. (Not in a week)
3 weeks ago, I had a UTI well I thought I did and I took a course of antibiotics for that.
Symptoms seem to have come back, which is why the doctor wanted to see me, gave me a 3 day course of antibiotics incase of PID.
Then called me today to tell me actually I have BV and has given me more antibiotics, and today touch wood and fingers crossed, I have no pain. And I have only taken 2. Whether this be coincidence I don’t know, but maybe worth asking for a swab for BV?

[BeKind88]

@MrsGxx

I’ve had a swab sent away for thrush that came back clear- but no mention of checking the swab for BV.
It sounds like I have all the same symptoms as you - I’ve been having them for 12 weeks now though! Have tried 3 lots of antibiotics , thrush tablets and over active bladder tablets but nothing has worked!

[MrsGxx]

I’ve had the symptoms around 1 week. I tried to just drink plenty of water and ‘flush it out’ I really did think it was a uti.
I thought it was interesting getting my results and not having any of the ‘normal’ symptoms.
I must say I’ve had my antibiotics for today, and symptoms seem to have subsided slightly. I also had slight pressure feeling in my bowels also.
Have you had a swab test?

[BeKind88]

@MrsGxx

That’s really interesting, and good to know!
I have a constant bladder pressure and also seemed to have developed a pressure feeling in my bowels too!! Lower back is sore and feeling bit ‘out of it’ and not myself too!

It’s interesting to know you didn’t have any of the usual symptoms! How long did you have the full bladder symptoms etc ?

[MrsGxx]

Reading this, I have symptoms of fullness in my bladder, groin, side and slight back pain. Was convinced I had a UTI, seen doctor on Monday, who really thought it was an infection by what I had told her, everything came back clear (water work tests, pregnancy test, etc.
I do however have the coil which is due out, actually been due out since Oct last year. I was on a list to have it out and my appt was in March which got cancelled due to covid.
I had a phone call today, she did swabs and everything came back fine. No STI’s ( I am married, had the same partner for 8 years ) but I do however have Bacterial Vaginosis.
She has put me on antibiotics. I wouldn’t have suspected this as I haven’t noticed a fishy smell and when I looked BV up this was the main symptom. I’m feeling quite off in myself, I wouldn’t say dizzy/lightheaded but just want to lay down all the time, not interact hard to put into words how I feel. Hope you get some answers xx

[BeKind88]

@mumsonthenet

Sounds like you’ve been through a lot! How is your pain now? Has it completely gone? I have had countless UTIs but not had one in about 4 years or so - so this came as a surprise! Just came out the blue. Do you have the stent in permanently?

[mumsonthenet]

Firstly don't get anxious about it as anything's usually treatable
I had reaccuring urinary infections over months
I was given 2 wk antibiotic treatments after a doctor twigged and so much time off over months and the tiredness really affected me, the peeing some days!

After 4 within the year or less my doctor twigged it was reacurring and arranged a cat scan with contrast dye, the first x ray showed nothing
I had calyceal diverticulum, a blockage in my urinary tract,, I had a stent put in.
I suggest you push for longer doses of antibiotics and as any infection can cause damage mine is a mess which caused the pain.
Pain in my lower back kidney as well as frequent peeing and small amounts.
I describe this because it took a year of waiting then 8mths of a waiting list now the removals delayed with covid.
when you know somethings not right persist.. this took year to pan out and a 8mth wait on a scan🙄.. I hope your ok.. urinary infections are exhausting
add this to your list to be checked anyone with kidney pains!!!

[BeKind88]

@Vinosaurus

How frustrating for you! But that is really reassuring about your bloods!
I know how you feel about being in pain all the time! It’s awful.
I am waiting on a referral letter to come in - should be in next week - fingers crossed!!

[Vinosaurus]

Said I'd update.

Bloody GP appointment was cancelled - seeing another GP on Monday instead. Asked for blood/urine results whilst I was on the phone which were "normal - no action required" which I'm incredibly reassured about (especially as she was checking CA125) but obviously no closer to finding why I'm in so much pain/discomfort all.the.time.

[BeKind88]

@Dangermouse80

This sounds just like me! I am now on medication for recurring thrush as it won’t go away. Would you say the main symptom you get is pressure in the bladder? This is definitely the worst thing for me

[Dangermouse80]

@Bekind

Mine started out of the blue about ten years ago. Had a bladder infection / took antibiotics / then got thrush repeatedly. Had to go on extended tablets for thrush as it wouldn't go away. Had a bladder scan and all looked ok. Doctor advised that irritation can persist after infection. Went away but couldnt drink coke / orange juice or coffee.

Since then it reoccurred with each pregnancy. Whilst pregnant my blood sugars were elevated as I had gestational diabetes.

Now just seem to get a couple of episodes a year. I got a private prescription for uti antibiotics to keep at home so that I can take them quickly if I need to.