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

resistant organism jsut means that it is hard to get rid of, it has probably been in your body for ages. alot of bacteria does not usually cause problems but in pregnancy it can, the one i know is Group B strep which can cause probs in labour.
i am similar ot you in that every time i give a urine sample i have some sort of infection, i am usually given amoxycillin, which is part of the penicillin family.
if you are concerned about taking this drug then i suggest you ask to speak to the gp or midwife voicing your concerns.
sorry cant help you further and i am sure someone will pop along soon wiht more info.
take care

You posted this twice. Some responses on your other one

Thanks ladies

And yes, I know I did it twice. I didn't know how much people would know so thought I'd put it in Health and Pregnancy sections

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?

To second what idreamofdevon said, ciprofloxacin should not be prescribed routinely in pregnancy. But sometimes that's the only choice. It depends on what the resistant organism is and on the mother's health. Can you phone the hospital for advice? Or ask your GP surgery for a second opinion from a different doctor?

Here is a link to an American government website that summarizes available studies on cipro and pregnancy -- www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/cipro/cipropreg.htm In nutshell, they are saying that current research suggests that risks to the baby are small but not zero.

Anagram - 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.

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!

From what I have read, ciproflaxin shouldn't be used during pg. Def speak to you dr again...I had a urine sample come back with high white blood cells too and have been prescribed cefalexin (am 6+3) - apparently thats ok to take during pg. Perhaps you could ask if it would be suitable for you.

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

cipro is not as safe as cefalexin -- the problem is that some uti infections don't respond to cefalexin and can spread to the kidneys or elsewhere.

A doctor might give cipro to a pregnant woman if there are no other choices and the risks of not taking it are higher. Can you call them back and insist on an answer and an explanation???

Anagram - presume you've not seen the update . Basically, he confirmed that the reason he's giving me this is for the exact reasons you mentioned 'no other choices and the risks of not taking it are higher'.

Just hope bubba is ok in there.

Sounds like a serious one looneytune and should be sorted out asap. Spoke to my bro in law who is dr and he said that ciproflaxin is only used with preg women if nothing else will or has worked. Try not to worry too much (I know its easier said than done) but hopefully the infection should clear up quickly...fingers crossed for you!!!

Thanks Momo. I hope they work as not sure what happens next if not. He wants a sample 2 days after finished the course (5 day course) and will only be happy if it's clear. I'm still really annoyed that when I complained about pain and feeling like I had an infection 6 weeks ago, that the rubbish Dr I had at that point said that the urine was clear at that time so it can't be and then moved on to rest of my check up. Turns out it was probably just the timing of that sample or something as the rest have all shown stuff. Anyway, fingers crossed after these 5 days I'll be feeling better

Hi Looneytune - try not to worry. Hopefully this dr knows what s/he is doing. Keep us posted. Thinking of you!

Will do, thanks

looneytunes, glad to hear you got a response finally! Fingers crossed and keep us posted.

Thanks and will do