Uti - negative culture??

[Apple871]

I have had uti symptoms for about a week and so last week I gave a sample to the GP and she gave me trimethoprim 3 day course. The sample had white blood cells on dipstick but the culture came back normal. I was feeling unwell/worse at the weekend and so out of hours gave me a 7 day course of cefalexin. I have taken 2 days worth of these so far and the pain is improving but still have urgency and sore bladder etc - how long should it take for an improvement/when should I contact the gp? I’m quite confused about the negative culture!

Oh and I have a 12 week old and am breastfeeding.

This has happened me before too, dipped positive and culture negative. I find the cefalaxin don't work as quickly as trimethroprim but if you finish the course, hopefully that should sort things out. From memory it was around day 4 of cefalaxin before symptoms eased

Thank you! Hopefully it goes soon

@Apple871 sorry, a bit off topic but how long did your results take to come back? I dropped a sample at GP last Tuesday (so a week tomorrow). They dipped it and then sent to lab (not sure why). They said if any problem found they will call me, I won't hear if ok. No idea if they were doing a culture or not. Receptionist didn't seem to know how long results will take. Not heard anything so assuming no news good news. I will of course call if I don't hear to double check but don't want to call too soon.

Thanks and I hope you feel better soon x

I had this recently. It's miserable isn't it. I had antibiotics initially then gave another sample and it came back clear but I still had symptoms (albeit not nearly as bad as initially). I wondered whether there was swelling or irritation left over from the infection. It took about 2 weeks to get back to normal. Drink plenty of water and avoid booze and coffee while you're recovering.

A thrush tablet can sometimes work for an irritated bladder or urethra. After I’ve had a UTI I usually have a feeling of urgency for tiny amounts or a bit of stinging or itchiness in the urethra. The tablet will take down any inflammation. Works for me and not harmful to try.

I handed in the sample last Thursday and phoned for results yesterday (Monday) and they said they were normal. Worth calling them if you’re not feeling better!

Thank you! Yes especially in this weather, hopefully just irritation as is gradually improving

Good to know - thanks. Probably will be a bit thrushy soon after all these antibiotics 🙄have been taking a probiotic too.

I handed in the sample last Thursday and phoned for results yesterday (Monday) and they said they were normal. Worth calling them if you’re not feeling better!

Thanks. Wasn't sure if the labs worked weekends. Mine should definitely be back by now then, unless there's been a mix up. Will try them later.

My GP only calls if there is a positive result I think, so results may be back already!