Urine Showing RESISTANT ORGANISM / CIPROFLOXACIN in Pregnancy - Advice Needed as confused.......

[looneytune]

I am going to keep a very long story short now (unlike me!! ).....since 15th March I've had urine sample after urine sample sent off to the lab with results coming back as 'inconclusive, repeat if symptomatic'. Whenever I've questioned this, I've been met by blank faces and just been told they'd test again and resend. When this all started I told Dr I was in pain around left kidney area but was told urine clear that time and she went on with rest of ante-natal check so I put it down to pregnancy pain instead.

Fast forward to last week when in such a lot of pain I wasn't sure if baby might be coming early (I'm 31 weeks now). Ended up in hospital and baby fine, no contractions etc. but the urine sample was again 'sent off to the lab' as showed protein and something else (think began with a? they didn't write anything in my notes about sample). I was in AGONY at the weekend and on Monday called my Dr and asked if could action the prescription I was given back in March and she said yes, that was the right safe one for pregnancy. Phew I thought, they are finally telling me I DO have an infection so I know why I'm in pain!!

Then today, the boss man at the surgery phoned me to 'discuss my urine samples' and explained that my anti-biotics wouldn't help me as basically my particular germ/bug in urine is one that is resistant to most of the drugs out there (Resistant Organism). He sounded concerned and said even more tricky in pregnancy etc. and he said he wanted to try another drug and he wouldn't be happy unless I show a clear sample after this course. I wanted to ask more questions but I'm a childminder and had two 1 year olds in highchairs having lunch and they started making noises for dessert so bad time and all that.

Collected new tablets this afternoon and there was no label in the box or anything. The box just had Drs label on and a strip of tablets. Soooo, all I know is the name and from what I've read on the net, it's not recommended for pregnant people.

Can anyone answer my questions?

1. What on earth is a Resistant Organism and what does this mean? Is it bad for baby? What if it can't be cleared with drugs?

2. Is Ciprofloxacin safe to use in pregnancy or should I question this more with the Dr tomorrow? Don't want to make a fuss and bother them but then again, been exposed to bad experiences with GPs/hospitals and my trust has gone a little so I like a bit of reassurance with different things like this.

Sorry, that was supposed to be short - in fairness, I could have gone on and on about each sample and what happened but I saved you that

Thanks if you've got to the end

LT x

Yes it's fine - some info here

One of the problems of multiple resistant antibiotics is that by the time you've exhausted traditional antibiotics, the infection has been allowed to get quite a hold on your system (as in your case). This can cause kidney infections, which obviously can cause prem labour which is why they are getting nervous about it.

The good news is ciproflaxacin should kill it within a week.

But you will probably feel shit while you are taking it. I took it for five days and felt like I'd been hit by a bus - just run down, nauseous and achey - but I think that was just my immune system kicking off while it recovered.

Good luck

A resistant organism is one that can not be got rid of using a specific antibiotic, so they have to use something else. It should not be bad for your baby, there are other drugs for them to try. What they normally do is grow stuff from your sample in the lab, then try and kill it off using different antibiotics, they give you the one that works the best. Have you started taking the pills yet?

whomovedmychocolate: were you pregnant when you took this. Have you checked the BNF?

Yes I was pregnant when I took it - it was a couple of months ago. Didn't check BNF but the doc did

Looneytune, you should have a chat to your GP if you are concerned. I hope you are feeling better soon .

Thanks whomoved.

whomovedmychocolate - cool name, if you find it can I have a piece please (been desperate for chocolate all week ). Thanks for the info. Please don't tell me the side effects are that crap....I'm a childminder with babies to lug about etc. and being this pregnant and in pain from the infection is bad enough!!!! Seriously though, you think I should go ahead and start taking it then with no need to worry? I wouldn't normally question things but when you have a Dr sounding concerned and they call you at home offguard and totally out of the blue, it sort of throws you!!

Presuming that kidney infections would show up in urine too so as long as I'm all clear after, everything is fine again? Just fed up with the pain and also for thinking I was in early labour because the pain was so intense.

avenanap - not started yet, decided I didn't want to take them until I had time to think about whether this was definitely ok for baby etc (as never had medicine with no info inside!). I don't really want to bother my GP if it's not necessary - probably just my hormones making me worry unneccesarily. I've just sort of lost faith due to not being told ANYTHING since 15th March yet having all these confusing test results.

Thanks both for answering so quickly at this time of night

You're welcome. I think that you should go and see your GP. You should know the facts about the medication before you start taking it. Don't leave it too long though, you would not have been given these for no reason but sometimes the person who prescribes medicines are not aware of certain things when they prescribe. Go and see your GP and ask about the side effects and if the medication is contra-indicated in pregnancy.

Cheers. May just call the GP up (easier than taking 2 x 1 yr olds me or worst, 2 after schoolers aswell). The Dr who phoned wasn't my Dr, it was the Dr who runs the whole surgery so I'd like to think he knows what he's doing. I'm having my next ante-natal check with my own GP on Friday so could ask a lot more questions then but I must admit, I'd feel happier having another chat with the one who called me before I start taking them. I could just make out I want to know about side effects before taking them due to the nature of my job blabla.....as there is no leaflet in the box, I needed to phone and ask? Would that stop me looking like a PITA?

You're not a PITA. They won't think like that at all. There should have been a patient leaflet in the box telling you about the side effects etc. Please do ask him about the contra-indications though.

Sorry to sound thick but what are contra-indications ?

Medications that you are not supposto take when on other medications or have certain medical conditions because they have adverse effects.

Sorry, disappeared to the loo (I'm in there more than anywhere else these days lol)

Thanks for confirming that. It does say at the bottom of the label that I shouldn't take them within 2 hours of having Iron/Zinc/Indigestion Remedies or Milk (best time right with my cup of tea then ) - is this what you mean?

Yes. Some of them are not advisable to take during pregnancy and breast feeding aswell so it's best to check up on that as I can't find any info. Keep drinking to try and wash it out. Infections are quite common in pregnancy though.

Well he definitely knew I was pregnant so presume it's ok but will double check about the risks when I call. As for drinking water, I've been drinking LOADS of it all week as had a remarkable thirst on!!! I am managing to get more out when I go which is good (at weekend was up every single hour and half in night with just a dribble), just never feel empty! Hopefully the tablets will sort that though as I'm sure this isn't just baby pressure.

Anyway, thanks for all your help. I'm off to bed now as exhausted (been on a course tonight and normally in bed around 9ish these days!)

Will call Dr tomorrow morning when the babies are napping

LT x

You are welcome. I hope you are feeling better.

Ciprofloxacin is NOT safe to take during pregnancy: it has been linked to birth defects. Like you, I was admitted to hospital a couple of months ago with a UTI. The SHO who discharged me sent me home with a prescription for Ciprofloxacin. When I got home I read the patient information and it said that it musn't be taken while pregnant, possibility may cause birth defects. I immediately contacted the hospital and was put through to the SHO's Registrar. She confirmed that this drug shouldn't have been prescribed, apologised, and prescribed another, suitable, alternative. The registrar and midwife were horrified at the actions of the SHO and have recommended I raise a complaint with patient liaison. Doctors make mistakes; I always check their advice, particularly when pregnant. You are not worrying over nothing: it is your health and the health of your baby at stake so question your doctors until you feel confident you have the care and treatment that is right for you.

OMG, I just don't trust Drs etc. anymore I've looked on the net at leaflets and I haven't seen anything about birth defects but these may be out of date leaflets?

I'm now worried that I'll phone Dr and he'll just say yes it's fine to take them - then what? Do I trust him and take them?

Please phone your GP back to discuss the antibiotic. As others have said you should have been given a patient information leaflet with the antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin is not recommended in pregnancy due to the risk of joint problems to the baby. Having said that, it is often very difficult for the doctor when someone has a urine infection that is resistant to all the "usual" antibiotics that are ok in pregnancy. It is also more important than usual to treat a definate urine infection in a pregnant woman than someone who's not pregnant. Sometimes drugs that are not recommended in pregnancy ARE given, but only after a discussion with hospital specialists that there are no other safer options and the risks of using the drug are outwayed by the risks of not treating the woman. If that is the case, the doctor should have discussed this with you himself/herself to keep you informed.

When you speak to the doctor, say you are concerned by the ciprofloxacin, that you didn't get an info leaflet, but have heard that they shouldn't be taken in pregnancy and are reluctant to take them. There may have been discussion between the hospital + dotor already about this, or it may be a mistake. Sorry, this is longwinded!

lazyhippo - thanks, I've phoned the surgery and waiting for this Dr to phone me back. I like my own Dr but as this one is the one in charge and knows all about it, presumed best to speak to him. I feel I need to know the risks to my own health and baby's health in order to make an informed decision before taking it. I just don't understand the whole thing and yesterday he caught me off guard with a 12 month and 14 month old wanting dessert NOW!!! lol It wasn't until I started to think about it more then saw no leaflet in the box that I began to question things. Can you tell me where you heard about the possible joint problems with babies? I'm having a hard time getting proper info when on google.

What would I do without Mumsnet eh!!!

Will keep you posted!

Still not phoned back. Baby mindee sleeping so been searching the net and just come across this bit 'Four of the 5 women were treated initially with ciprofloxacin. Three women had stillbirths, 1 an abortion and 1 a low birthweight baby, which suggests that ciprofloxacin should not be used for treating pregnant women' on a website. Just makes me wonder whether I should go ahead if the Dr tells me it's ok?

Maybe I shouldn't be looking on the net!

Update

Dr given go ahead to take these tablets. Basically, he's more worried about my health as this bug I have is particularly nasty and this concerns him. Unfortunately, as it's built up a resistance to pretty much all the other usual drugs, he said this drug is my only choice really.

I asked if there were risks if I didn't treat this infection and he said yes, it could cause renal failure and he went on to explain what that means. He's concerned that it's likely I've already had this nasty infection for at least 5/6 weeks so he wants it treated asap.

So, I've now taken my first tablet as I don't feel I have much choice. I just hope they work.

Thanks for all the advice, very much appreciated

Tackful idreamofdevon!

I hope you start to feel better looneytune. I'm pleased the doctor has explained the medication to you. I didn't think it was right to scare you as you must be worried anyway.

It's ok, I prefer to know how it is. I'm just going to get on with it and hope all is ok. No point in worrying otherwise I'll drive myself mad!!