Urethra pain

[IvysPoison]

I am feeling utterly miserable and hoping someone can help.

At the start of February I started feeling like I was developing a UTI- constantly needing a wee, sore urethra. I had my urine checked by the nurse and she said there was no evidence of a UTI and booked me in for some swabs to be taken (stds, bv and something else). Anyway, due to various circumstances and my appointment being repeatedly rescheduled, these swabs weren't taken until the end of April. The swabs all came back clear. The nurse then tested my urine again and she said there was a minuscule amount of blood in my urine but not enough to suggest I had a uti but said she would give me antibiotics because I had been suffering for so long. The antibiotics did nothing and my symptoms continued. However, over the course of the following months the symptoms gradually improved (with the odd flare up) and I thought it was getting better on its own. However, it flared up towards the end of my last af and has been unbearable since my af ended four days ago.

The main symptoms seem to be:
A constant burning feeling in my urethra
Constantly needing the toilet
No actual burning when passing urine but it starts again as soon as I've finished on the toilet
A heavy, swollen feeling (on and off) around my vulva all the way to my anus.

I'm feeling so down in the dumps and fed up and just want this horrible feeling to go away. I've got an appt with my gp later this week but just know I'm going to get fobbed off because every time I've ever been to the gp about issues in the vaginal area before I've always been told that "it's just what your body does and it's normal for YOU".

Anyway, has anyone got any ideas what the problem could be, or suffered from anything similar?

Sorry you are having to put up with this. Have you asked for a urology referral?

How old are you OP?
It sounds very much like perimenopausal vaginal atrophy. The only treatment is oestrogen, HRT, oestrogen pessaries/cream.

@iminthegarden

Sorry you are having to put up with this. Have you asked for a urology referral?

I've only seen nurses so far. I'm hoping the GP will refer me but having always had to battle with GPs to refer me for anything I know I'm probably facing the same fight again.

@endofthelinefinally

How old are you OP? It sounds very much like perimenopausal vaginal atrophy. The only treatment is oestrogen, HRT, oestrogen pessaries/cream.

I'm 40. That's interesting and I will read up on it before my appointment with the GP so I can arm myself with information.

@IvysPoison I too have the same issue was it resolved n how please

Bladder wall infection? (I think that's what it's called - basically there is an infection but the bacteria aren't free floating so the dip sticks don't pick them up.)

Has your urine ever been cultured? The dip stock tests really aren't the best way to diagnose infection.

Im going through similar

Iv had numerous appointments and tests with the hospital, numerous failed drugs

Waiting for a procedure under general for a bladder stretch and an more in depth look inside for ulcers. Its been going on about 2 years now

theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/17/my-daughter-was-one-of-thousands-of-australians-let-down-by-inadequate-uti-testing

How’s it going OP? I’m having exactly the same symptoms feels like my urethra is so swollen and I constantly need to go!

I'm about to go sleep so below I've pasted a reply I just left on a very similar post. I can add to this that I'm early 40s and being prescribed topical oestrogen did also help. (The v youthful urologist constantly saying 'at your age' decidedly did not). Your symptoms sound a lot like mine.

---

I had exactly this problem and my GP diagnosed me on very little evidence with interstitial cystitis. A urologist was later very annoyed about that, after an internal exam showed no sign of it. He then diagnosed me with chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which is just a description rather than an explanation. Lots and lots of googling led me to a pelvic floor physiotherapist, who concluded that I have pelvic floor dysfunction - a tight pelvic floor can really irritate the bladder. By that time, my entire pelvic floor was in spasm and I could barely sit.

It could be IC, it could be a different infection as the PP suggested, or it could be your pelvic floor but there are avenues to investigate. It can feel hopeless but be proactive. Don't let your GP fob you off - ask for a referral to urology. Pelvic floor therapy is usually private but my therapist is absolutely amazing so I would recommend consulting one. I'm doing much better now.

Also - I found the best sources of info are the Reddit page on pelvic floor dysfunction and also YouTube videos by physiotherapists. Look for pelvic floor meditation videos too, to help things relax. Avoid at all costs Facebook groups on pelvic pain, as they'll make you lose all hope entirely. Good luck.

Also, your GP sounds rather unhelpful. Can you find a better one?

cutic.co.uk/what-is-chronic-uti/

www.chronicutiinfo.com/chronic-uti-facts/what-is-uti/

Did anyone find out what caused this? Im suffering from this and it’s really destroying my life.

Likewise. How are things now @IvysPoison?

BUMPING for help please!!!!!
I have the same symptoms as the OP
Did anyone find the cause ?

Ask your GP to prescribe local oestrogen cream. This gynae-urologist explains how effective it can be. You don’t have to be menopausal for it to help. @Seashellsandsand

Here is the link.

And here is some more general NHS information

There is nothing to lose by trying it as it’s very safe.

Thanks for the post I’m nearly 47
will mention it when I speak with the GP. I’ve never had these symptoms before.

Sounds like a chronic/embedded uti. You need to be referred to LUTS or go to Harley Street to see Prof Lee-Malones team. Don't be fobbed off with an IC diagnosis. There are facebook support groups embedded/chronic uti support group being one of them, with a wealth of information. The sooner you start treatment the quicker it will improve.

Given your age, it’s definitely worth trying. You may need to use it more frequently than the standard instructions at first. I think there’s a thread on here, I’ll have a look.

Thank you

Painkillers aren’t touching it. I can’t sleep with the pain.

I'm on day 3 of Estradiol pessaries for this. It feels l

Like they are already beginning to work.