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Original poster

UTI antibiotics not working

54 replies

Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 13:41

Hi,

I've had a UTI from around February I believe, got given Nitrofurantoin for 3 days and I just assumed they'd done the trick, still had symptoms but it's the first UTI I've had and I suffer from mild CFS symptoms anyway so was never sure if it was just me feeling generally rough and lethargic.
Anyway last Thursday it became obvious it was a UTI so got another 3 days of nitrofurantoin... had no joy so come Monday was put on Cefalexin 500mg 3 times a day... I'm still feeling unwell, and I'm sure they should have worked by this stage?
The doctor sent my sample off to the lab and seems to think these are the right antibiotics to treat me.
I'm just frustrated and feeling very low.. any similar experiences?
Xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 15:30

Anyone?xxx

OP posts:
DappledOliveGroves · 24/04/2021 15:32

I know some UTIs are now antibiotic resistant so hopefully the swab should indicate which type will work. I'm always cautious when they do the short dose antibiotics - can you see if a longer course may be more likely to do the trick?

CatherineCawood · 24/04/2021 15:32

Try Waterfall D Mannose which is a natural supplement. Was the only thing that got rid of my infection. I ended up having a camera up into my bladder as was in so much pain.

crashbandicoot4 · 24/04/2021 16:16

I'm in the same boat.
Had a uti a while ago and the 3 day course seemed to get it but suddenly felt wiped on Thursday and embarrassingly wet myself! I have another 3 day dose but I'm not feeling better.

RoseRedRoseBlue · 24/04/2021 16:22

Join the club! I got given a 3 day course of Nitrofurantoin in March, didn’t even touch my UTI. Was back at Gp appx 10 days later and got given a different 10 day course (began with an ‘A’ but can’t remember specifics). Still not 100% gone but overall a lot better.

AlexaNeverListens · 24/04/2021 16:23

I suffered with them really badly for years. And even when I was infection clear, I still felt like I had one.
Google interstitial cystitis - it could be that.
For me, if the infection isn't cleared within a day, I suffer for weeks afterwards, even when the infection has cleared. Apparently it's because your bladder urethra etc remain inflamed.
My advice would be to make sure you don't get dehydrated as an empty bladder is a painful one. Also, can't express how much relief a hot water bottle brings.
Hope it clears up soon 💐

Original poster
Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 16:26

Thanks for your replies xxx

I did just get my mum to pick me up some D Mannose today, apparently they're a good preventative but dont do much if you already have a UTI?
I was put on Cefalexin which apparently was the right antibiotic.. but at day 5, and no improvement, infact feeling worse. I rang 111 and have another prescription of antibiotics sent to the chemist.
I'm just concerned if the ones that were meant to work havent, how likely are these ones sigh xxx

OP posts:
PineappleCakes · 24/04/2021 16:31

For my latest UTI (regular sufferer) my GP gave me Nitrofurantoin too but a 7 (or was it 10?) day course. That cleared it up, I wonder if 3 days just isn't long enough?

Original poster
Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 16:31

Sorry others are suffering with it too Flowers
I had no idea they could be such a nightmare!

OP posts:
Original poster
Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 16:34

Yeah I dont think 3 days is anywhere near enough, although i guess it does the trick for some people.
As I say I spoke to a doctor via 111 who recommended I move on to some different antibiotics... my mum is dropping them off, so until then I've no idea what ones these will be. Do you guys feel very unwell with a UTI or is it 'just' (we know how bad it can be) the burning and needing to urinate a lot?

OP posts:
redcandlelight · 24/04/2021 16:37

how old are you? could it be vaginal atrophy, which mimics uti symptoms and are due to low estrogen.

Original poster
Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 16:38

I'm 34, nearly 35. I does seem as though it's a UTI but obviously I cant be certain

OP posts:
everybodysang · 24/04/2021 16:59

I keep getting them, have done for the last five years. I have tried ALL the advice. I did have a fair gap without one last year and then got one in February and have one now. Annoyingly, nitrofurantoin did clear it up last time but it made me feel awful; I managed one day of it this time and was on the floor sobbing with stomach pain (despite probiotics etc). Am now on trimethoprim but not sure it's too much yet.

I always seem to have blood in my urine - was referred for urgent investigation on my kidneys four years ago but I don't think they found much? It's such a pain.

Original poster
Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 17:20

I think that's often the trouble when you're unwell anyway, trying to differentiate what's the original infection and what are side effects... as I say I'm feeling worse today, day 5 on Cefalexin... the doctors don't seem to think they give side effects though...
I've now been given ciprofloxacin... which I've just taken one of, then saw the horror side effects... does anyone have any experience with this antibiotic?

OP posts:
SeaTurtles92 · 24/04/2021 17:29

Makes me giggle when they give 3 days. Absolute joke. Takes a good 48 hours for AB's to make you feel better. Waste of time. Always ask for 7 especially with UTI's.

I was put on the nitro for 3 days and shock didn't work. Doctors were rubbish and saw an out of hours doctor who said you have a kidney infection not a UTI and gave me a weeks worth of coamoxiclav.

SeaTurtles92 · 24/04/2021 17:30

I'd like to add they didn't even take a urine sample! Just said I had a UTI!

SeaTurtles92 · 24/04/2021 17:33

@everybodysang

I keep getting them, have done for the last five years. I have tried ALL the advice. I did have a fair gap without one last year and then got one in February and have one now. Annoyingly, nitrofurantoin did clear it up last time but it made me feel awful; I managed one day of it this time and was on the floor sobbing with stomach pain (despite probiotics etc). Am now on trimethoprim but not sure it's too much yet.

I always seem to have blood in my urine - was referred for urgent investigation on my kidneys four years ago but I don't think they found much? It's such a pain.

If you phoned 111 right now with blood in your urine they'd get you seen straight away. That isn't right.

Have you spoken to someone about this recently? When I recently had a kidney infection and lower back pain they kept asking me if I had blood in my urine and if I did I needed to straight away.

My sister suffers with UTI's abs after years of investigation she is on daily medication for it now.

MiddlesexGirl · 24/04/2021 17:36

Yes. Had 3 days several times. Told them it didn't work. Had 7 days once. Nearly did the trick but they wouldn't give me any more. Both Nitrofurantoin and Amoxycillin.

Referred to.consultant. Now on 3 months of Trimethoprim I think it is. Two months in and has done the trick so far.

D-Mannose didn't make any difference.
When I was suffering Potassium Citrate cleared the symptoms.
Now also taking shed loads of probiotics ... Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, L.Reuteri and L.crispatus to try and replenish the good bacteria.

Ellasmummyx1 · 24/04/2021 17:38

3 days probably isn’t long enough but doctors love to only hand out the bear minimum. Even when it’s clearly not working!

Trinacham · 24/04/2021 17:42

Yes! I have had the exact experience twice now. My last 2 UTIs wouldn't go away with 3 days of antibiotics. The doctors were difficult about prescribing more and kept going on about referring me to the hospital. First UTI developed into a kidney infection, once they gave me stronger antibiotics I was UTI free! Second UTI, 3 day course.. wouldn't go, I told doctor to look back in my notes, I need something stronger or for longer. He gave in a prescribed a 10 day course. Been fine again since. They are so reluctant to give longer than a 3 day course and it's so frustrating when that's all you need!!

thaegumathteth · 24/04/2021 17:42

@Magic1231 twice I've ended up with sepsis from UTI and ciprofloxacin is what eventually cured me of it both times so fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
Magic1231 · 24/04/2021 17:54

Oh really?
I've just had a massive freak out after taking one and made myself sick ☹ I dont know what to do x

OP posts:
kissmelittleass · 25/04/2021 11:29

I recently ended up in hospital because a three day course of antibiotics for a uti didn't clear it I finished the antibiotics on a Saturday and stupidly was waiting to see the doctor on the Tuesday as of course the Monday was a bank holiday!!
I got worse and was on the floor by the Monday in side pain and when I got to hospital they told me I got there just in time! I had severe periontitis (spelling?!) and sepsis, I'd actually woken up having a fit shaking etc etc!
Three day antibiotics are not enough!!! Do take your antibiotics I'm the same and I've had so many antibiotics recently and reading the list of what ifs!! make me anxious but there's side effects to everything we take like paracetamol . Get well soon op I have one after another it's horrible .

Original poster
Magic1231 · 25/04/2021 13:52

Oh God, bless you! That's awful! Did you recover okay? What antibiotics were you given?
Thankyou, I'm currently still taking the cefalexin antibiotics until tomorrow when I can speak to my local surgery to see what they think... I still feel awful but no worse than yesterday i dont think xxx

OP posts:
crashbandicoot4 · 25/04/2021 14:17

I'm still exhausted.
Really bone tired and had some kidney pain yesterday. Still have 2 tablets to take. Will be contacting the surgery tomorrow.

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