UTI nightmare…need success stories

[Rochyella84]

I have had a chronic UTI for 2 months now. Short courses of Macrobid have helped but it comes back within 2 days each time. Trimethoprim didn’t help at all. I suspect a chronic/embedded infection and am waiting for an appointment with a specialist.

I am currently on a 2 week course of Macrobid and I have also started Hiprex and still symptomatic. My only symptom is urethral burning after weeing which can last several hours. I take d mannose regularly too.

On the chronic UTI Facebook group I’m on there are so many disheartening stories of people on long term antibiotics for years and still suffering. I keep thinking surely there must be people who need more than a weeks course but manage to shift this thing with something a little stronger and longer.

Im just feeling hopeless and need to hear something positive.

Yes I do. I last did it a week ago out of interest, the leukocytes Pad turned purple instantly. I don’t believe it’s infection. It can mean inflammation and now I think it can mean nothing at all. I have absolutely no symptoms and high leucocytes apparently.

The body and mind are inextricably linked for sure. I now know my symptoms are caused by vaginal atrophy (or genitourinary symptoms of the menopause as it’s now been renamed) but it’s so interesting that the whole thing got steadily worse over the last three years to the point where I wasn’t confident leaving the house. I really felt the effects of the pandemic (as lots of us did), I had no option but to retire from my job and my dad died. A complete turn around in my daily life. I thought maybe it was more time on my hands to obsess and perhaps it was but I do believe stress was a contributing factor. I had on and off urine infections that kind of never really “went away”. I saw more than one doctor at my practice and not one suggested that the constant stinging and burning could be down to atrophy. I did my own research and after three years of suffering asked for Ovestin cream which like a miracle has solved the issue. I’ve been so lucky it worked for me but I do believe that when I feel stressed I can feel the twinge of soreness starting and I manage to talk myself down x

I’ve tried listening to some of the podcasts. Honestly I still don’t know what I am supposed to do? All it seems to be saying is relax the nervous system but no idea how to do that. I’m now bedridden. No work, constant pain getting worse and worse. Worst pain I have ever had.

I've suffered with water infections for so long. Last year being absolute hell. I've been back and forth the doctors for a long time trying to work out what was wrong and I really lost hope. And then one day one doctor actually listened, examined me and explained that I was suffering with vaginal atrophy (also mentioned up thread), and I was perimenopausal (slight shock because I'm only 38), I've been using vaginal moisturisers ever since and they have been a life saver. My symptoms are worse when I'm ovulating or when my period is due, but touch wood I haven't had a UTI since

Thought I would post a success update on here as I remember how desperate I was recently for some positive stories, and a light at the end of the tunnel. I was being repeatedly treated with the wrong antibiotic which is why things were resurfacing. After a second course of cefalexin all my symptoms subsided. So many doctors refused to issue a second course as “that’s not how microbiology works” but it was absolutely what I needed. I must’ve had 8 courses of various ineffective antibiotics in total. Although I’m still super anxious surrounding UTIs, I’m now symptom free (and antibiotic free).

Can I ask how you’re doing now please?
I’ve had suspected UTI for 8 weeks now, every urine test comes back with no infection, but there has been E. coli found in my samples. I don’t know what else to do!

How old are you?

I’m only 24! Been with the same partner for 7 years and have regular periods etc all of that and take all precautions. My mum also has a long history of recurrent UTI’s 😫

Well I’m thinking the ecoli is easily treated with antibiotics. What has your doctor said?