UTI Symptoms not going away & scared

[Honeybeebear]

Hello,

First time posting but long time reader 🙂
I started having UTI symptoms 8 days ago-frequent urination, burning, not a lot of wee coming out and ordered some Nitrofurantion from the Superdrug dr. I have had a few UTIs over the years and have used Macrobid which I think is the same and I always feel a lot better in a couple of days.
first 24 hrs of taking them I felt a lot better, but had a reaction half way through the course (pins and needles in legs/arms, numb feet) and ooo doctor said to stop and prescribed me Fosformycin.
I didn’t feel too bad on Monday, went to work and picked my the prescription, used that evening and apart from urgency to wee I felt okish.
Weds- thrush symptoms, got an oral tablet
Thurs- symptoms starting to return, frequency and a feeling like my bladder is full constantly, burning etc.
Yesterday the ooo gave me 3 days of Trimethoprim although urine test was clear! thrush really bad again so used a pessary last night.
Today- felt a ok this morning for a few hours, But then symptoms of burning and needing to wee (every hour) are still there. I’m scared the antibiotics are not working and every night I seems to go downhill and get worse before eventually sleeping. I don’t know if the drs will give me anymore with the urine test negative.

the last couple of days as well as the full feeling in my bladder, I’ve felt twinges/spasms- not sure if it’s my bladder, cervix, or what but it feels constant, I’m more aware of it when I’m trying to sleep.

I’m scared, exhausted and have gone from feeling normal to feeling so vulnerable.

has anyone else had to use multiple antibiotics for a UTI?

I’m supposed to be going to Spain on our family holiday next weekend but at the moment I just feel like cancelling it or DH and kids to go without me.

@dahliaaa Trimethoprim made me feel very nauseous when I had it last year especially on waking. I was drinking ginger tea in the end. I think if this lot of medication isn't working you d be within your rights to ask for a urology referral.
When my ABs didn't work last year my GP sent me to hospital for IV Augmentin
But after sitting in A&E for 10 hours I was sent home with no treatment so I understand how frustrating this is for you.

That's a good thought about the ginger tea @Lliria

GP has said could be reaction to the trimethoprim. Has said to do another 7 days amoxicillin. Was only a phone call so couldn't ask too many details but they said because it was indicated from the culture it might just have needed a bit longer to work.
Feel so sick and horrible today.

Still here if anyone can bear to keep reading.
Stopped the trimethoprim on Friday and restarted amoxicillin on drs advice but still severe dizziness etc.
Had to abandon commute to work today as so disorientated and dizzy.
Was too late to get on go list for today by then. Still waves of nausea as well as the dizziness.
I thought the trimethoprim would be totally out of my system by now but maybe I'm reacting to the amoxicillin too now - even though I didn't when I first took it.
I can't believe how poorly I feel.

I've just stumbled across this thread and it's very timely for me. Ive never really had a problem with UTIs, just the occasional bout of cystitis but a month ago, I developed a horrible one. Blood in urine, excruciatingly painful urination, chills, sore abdomen and back. Had 7 days of antibiotic which seemed to clear it, then it returned (or actually never left, I suppose there was residual infection still) Then doctor put me on another week of different antibiotic. I've completed the course and symptoms have largely gone but I'm not convinced the infection is completely cleared. Urine is still cloudy looking. Feel a bit achey but hard to know if I'm just worrying now and imagining symptoms. Doctor didn't seem overly concerned, said it's probably just bad luck and wouldn't recommend preventative measures such as oestrogen pessaries or gel yet. I'm 58 so post menopausal and I see quite a few people on here say oestrogen has been really helpful.

@lizzowhiz you could ask your gp to send off a urine sample for culture. That would show if infection has completely gone.
Re oestrogen I have started vagifem - hopefully as a preventative if / when I can get rid of this infection. If you read through this thread a few people mention it.

@dahliaaa I will push for that. I was surprised the doctors didn't want a sample as others have mentioned on here that it's about targeting with the right antibiotic for the specific type of bacteria

It's ridiculous how UTIs are 'treated'. It's just contributing to antibiotic resistance problem, giving antibiotics without even doing samples to identify the bacteria, and the testing has also been proven to not be fit for purpose either, and misses many infections. Causes a lot of misery for so many women.

UTIs need the right antibiotic, for the right amount of time (until symptoms have completely cleared for a couple of days, 3 days is ridiculous and this needs addressed).

As a sufferer of UTIs, I have also been looking into the recent research on the urinary and vaginal microbiome, and UTIs. Also estrogen. It's all connected.

@dahliaaa I'm sorry to hear you are still not feeling well on the antibiotics. Hopefully you can finish the course, the UTI clears, and you feel better.

@lizzowhiz Like dahliaaa said, I'd really recommend getting a sample for culture, first morning concentrated clean catch sample. You could have been on the wrong antibiotic this whole time. It's important to know what you are dealing with, and any resistances. Preferably before the first antibiotic is started, but it still could show up now, and give you useful information. Your GP sounds even more negligent than mine!! After you hopefully clear the infection, then preventative measures are good, and you can start the vaginal estrogen at any time.

Thank you @stopthemachine
I feel completely knocked for 6 at the moment. I would never have have imagined that a uti and the treatment could have such a huge impact

What reason did your GP give for not prescribing vaginal oestrogen @lizzowhiz I'm sorry you are still not 100%. I would see another doctor and just request it.

How you feeling? Nasty old business.

I want to keep saying positively I have been so much better since staring the vaginal oestrogen. I was in a terrible place this time last year. On about my fourth course of antibiotics and getting to my wits end with it all.

@LittleMonks11 the doctor just said they wouldn't look at preventative methods yet, I think they thought it was just bad luck to get one nasty infection which didn't clear with a week of antibiotic. I don't have a history of UTIs - but then I shouldn't have to wait until I do to get something which may help. Reading this thread has made me realise vaginal oestrogen could help a lot. I'll push for it.

I didn't have a history of UTIs. Had my first one Oct 22 that never seemed to disappear. I'd just do some background research. It was a young male GP who eventually called it for me and persuaded me to give it a go. I was reluctant for some reason! My regular GP diagnosed non bacterial cystitis and happy to keep prescribing. I blame the menopause!

Thank you for the encouragement @LittleMonks11
I'm feeling a bit battered at the moment from the combination of the uti and side effects of the antibiotics..

Deffo menopause related. I was weeing all day and night about every 10 mins at one point. Started vaginal estrogen last March so nearly a year ago. Had no wee infections since and last night (as like most nights) I did my last wee at 11.30pm and then didn’t go again until 5am. It has truly been life-changing. Like a miracle. I never thought anything would ever get any better. 6 years I was stuck like that. X

It's me again. Still here and miserable. I think it's 6 weeks now since the uti started. I finished the 2nd 7 day course of amoxicillin yesterday (also had 3 days of Nitrofurantoin before culture was sent off - and 3 days of trimethoprim which was meant to be 7 days but had to stop early because of horrible reaction.)

I'm still having dizzy spells and don't feel 'well' and still uncomfortable / burning underneath.

I'm really really hoping that the proteus infection has gone but I'm
concerned that it hasn't. I know that 6 weeks isn't long really but it feels like such a long time.

I'm using the vagifem - although I know that's more hopefully for future prevention rather than treating this actual infection. Been asked to put in another urine sample on Tuesday (3 full days after last antibiotic.)

@dahliaaa I'm sorry you are still feeling so ill. Hopefully the Proteus infection has gone. The burning could be a reaction to the antibiotics, maybe you could also get a swab for thrush done at the same time as the urine sample. I just have to look at an amoxicillin and I get thrush, I realise now that it's cause it depletes the good bacteria there.
I really hope you are feeling better soon. xx

Thank you @stopthemachine
It's really knocked me for six.

@@lizzowhiz Hi, I've been following and contributing to this thread for ages and I read what you say about your GP not agreeing to you using local estrogen.
I'm also 58 and have been on Vagifem for over 4 years. It's not just for UTI prevention but to prevent vaginal atrophy . I too had an awful UTI last summer that I had loads of AB s for and for a couple of months before that I hadn't been using my vagifem and I'm sure the UTI was as an indirect result of this.
I was also advised to take a probiotic for female intimate health to build up the microbiome. I use Optibac. Also if the GP won't let you have Vagifem buy it . It's called GIna and it's OTC or. Online .

I saw my GP this morning and they've prescribed vagifem so here's hoping it helps. Which probiotic do you take? I might try that too.

@Lliria did you take the optibac at the same time as the antibiotics or after you had finished?
Also I just wondered what finally cleared your uti in the end. Sorry if I've already asked you that !

@lizzowhiz I think this is the recommended optibac one

www.boots.com/Optibac-For-Women-30-capsules-10274771

@dahliaaa Hi what cleared my UTI in the end was paying to see a private Urologist who prescribed a low dose of Ciprofloxacin for 3 weeks !
My GP refused to prescribe it saying it had a black box warning even though I've taken it in the past. It is a last resort Antibiotic but the consultant Urologist wasn't concerned.
Yes I took optibac at the same time and have continued to take daily for months.
I also take a daily Garlic supplement called Allicin Max from Boots and. take a teaspoon of D- Mannose in a cup of tea before bed.
I'm basically doing everything I can to prevent another UTI

@lizzowhiz Hi, it's Optibac as mentioned by dahliaaa.
I get mine from Amazon

Thank you @Lliria
(If you are in south east would you mind sending me details of urologist in private message. Completely understand if you would prefer not to.)
And thank you for the list of self help-really useful. D-mannose no good for me at the moment because bacteria is proteus and it's only helpful against ecoli apparently but would definitely use as a prevention (if I can ever get rid of this !)