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.

It sounds very strange, but try spreading natural yogurt down there,. GP recommended it for my DD when she was having a cycle of UTI/ABs/thrush and it really helped

thanks- I will try that

Saw this post as when browsing as I am in a similar situation to yourself.
Im on my fourth antibiotic course now since June 8th ( 5 if I include a very short course I was switched from )
My first sample showed a mixed growth and blood, and was given Cephalexin.
The infection came back 3 days after finishing this and went to my kidneys.
I then tried Amoxicillin for 4 days which didn't work then was sent to hospital for IV antibiotics which I didn't get as A&E doctor sent me away - after 8 hour wait.
G.P gave me Augmentin. Worked initially then a week later UTI symptoms back .- on a Friday night ( of course right ) so went to out of hours who gave me Cephalexin - again. I queried this but was told it's fine .
So I'm 4 days into this and don't feel better. Still urinary frequency, bladder pain and basically feel like shit.
So will need to call GP - again. A stress in itself as have to be on app at 7am to get a callback and I'm working tomorrow so will have to wait until Thursday as can't talk at work as have my own dental patients to treat.
A couple of urine samples have been sent off but of course come back negative due to antibiotics.
I also am due to go on holiday in 2 weeks- driving to Spain on a road trip, The way I feel now is don't want to go. Can't remember when I last felt ok.
Lost weight as can't eat properly.
So you have my fullest sympathy, it's awful and we re not the only ones.
How can such a common infection get so untreatable. Probably because GPs treat blindly.
This has to end for us but for now it's almost depressing.
Plus I'm almost embarrassed having to keep ringing my GP🥺

Have they considered pelvic inflammatory disease? It can be caused by STIs, but not always

Yes unfortunately this ruined much of my 20s. I ended up having a cystoscopy which revealed lots of scarring on my bladder due to embedded infection.

Long term cefalexin helped me. After a few intense courses I then I took a low dose for six months.

I am still v prone to bladder issues but have had short easily treated UTIs since.

I can't drink OJ or eat anything too acidic as the burning returns

This is pretty much since last October. Commiserations. I read about a new antibiotic being developed specifically for utis and caught a glimpse on a news item. Very doubtful my amoxicillin is going to work and I'm off to France tomorrow 😫 maybe the French pharmacists will have a better idea!

So sorry to hear you are going through this too, and for much longer.

I totally get the being embarrassed about ringing the GP, I’ve felt like I’ve been calling them every day!

have you been prescribed antibiotics with a negative tests? I’m worried all the ones I’ve taken will mean my test comes back negative. The trimethoprim did seem to work for the first 48 hours now it’s backwards again.

the dr examined me today and said it all looked really sore, even checked incase lost tampon.

I’m in bed now just crying and feeling sorry for myself.

Ive read lots of pots about similar things and I can’t believe there isn’t better diagnosis and treatment plans

There seems to be a lot of us. In fact I've read so many threads on Mumsnet over the years of women complaining about the same thing and GP's generally being a bit naff.

No not been mentioned to me, but I haven’t had any heavy periods or bleeding. I do take the pill though so this makes it really light.

@LittleMonks11 have you felt any better since starting the Amoxicillin?

I’ve told my husband to start preparing to go on holiday without me on Sunday.

At the moment I couldn’t even make the 45 min trip to the airport without needing a wee!

I’m absolutely gutted this is happening to me but also for everyone else experiencing it too. I never realised how absolutely awful UTIs could be.

No. My pain has got worse in fact 🙁 I've also been battling a nasty cold I caught off my DD so feeling really shite. Putting a real dampener on the packing.
Sorry you are feeling so bad.

oh no sorry to hear that

Will they give you a different one?

Does anyone recommend a particular brand of probiotics? I was trying to look on Amazon but there are so many!

This is the different one! I had a 3 day course of Nitrofurantoin which helped then it came back so did a 7 day course of the same. Seemed better then came back kart weekend. I feel like I'm drowning in antibiotics which is not good.

For anyone on here suffering long term (eg 3 months plus) please ask for a referral to the dedicated clinic at the Whittington Hospital

I’ve taken so many medicines and capsules in the last 12 days.

I've never really had antibiotics side effects before this but for the first time in my life I’ve got no appetite, I’ve eaten a little each day but can’t manage much more than a few bites of anything.

You need a probiotic specifically for bladder/vagina. I picked up Optibac Intimate Flora for Women from a local chemist today.

@gailforce1 thank you- that was one of the ones I looked at.

Wasn’t sure which type would be best vaginal/bladder or digestive (due to side effects of antibiotics!)

Sorry just scooted off to look up some more!
Garden of Life supplements do a female one but have a look at Higher Nature Pro Woman - there is an interesting write up and you can double up if you are in an acute situation.
I really feel for you as have similar for the last 15 years - Fosfermycin(?) actually should be 2 doses as the instructions do say second dose 3 days later if first dose doesn't work.
Really hope that you feel better soon.

Thanks that’s really helpful- going to take a look now!

I only had one dose of Fosformycin Monday, the symptoms then started coming back on Weds. I spoke to a nurse on Thurs eve who said they wouldn’t give any more antibiotics without testing as Fosformycin was really strong!

I wasn’t offered it again from ooo on the Saturday.

I think maybe the gaps between the antibiotics allow the infection to start building up again, maybe another Fosformycin on the Thursday would have worked!

If you uti gets embedded thinka bout going to Prof Malone-Lees cuti clinic. I was treated there after a uti that won't go away and they helped. Unfortunately they and the Whittington LUTS clinic are the only people treating embedded utis

I was started on antibiotics based on symptoms. The first sample showed mixed growth and blood but all the subsequent ones were negative. I was still given AB s tho. I just think unless you have a resistant superbug the sample won't grow anything if it's antibacterial !!!!! That's my logic. I hate it when they dipstick it first and say it's not showing infection when you know you have it.Ive normally drunk loads of water so it's diluted anyway. I think most GPs don't just go by this test anyway as urosepsis is a bigger risk.x

God I hope so. I can't take Nitrofurantoin but this is an old generation AB that is cheap for the NHS. There are better ones ,but often not prescribed. As for french pharmacists your probably right.I used to live in Spain and the local farmacia will sell you Norfloxacin for UTI 400mg. It works really well and about 5 euros. My GP here wouldn't prescribe it !! If I make it to Spain this summer I'm gonna get some more.
NHS regulations have their place but when it comes to UTI I'd rather have the freedom to treat myself - at my convenience 🤔

Sorry I answered further down !
Yes I got prescription on negative results apart from the first one that showed a growth and blood.
Most tests will come back with no growth if you have taken ABs - unless it's a resistant bug.
I so wish it would show Something so I'd get the right treatment 😔