UTI not fully clearing?

[buzzheath]

Hi all. I had a uti a few weeks ago. Was treated with 3 days nitrofurantin...this did help. But things didn't seem back to normal so then had a 7 day course of amoxicillin. Again, it helped, but within a few days of stopping, things felt weird again. Not full on UTI, but just a weird awareness of my urethra?! It's now been almost 2 weeks and I still don't feel quite right. Guess I'll call the GP again...been reading scary stuff about embedded UTIs and I really hope it isn't that...

Any advice? At my wits end and so miserable.

Thank you for info here and on the other thread @SwordBilledHummingbird

Thanks all for your thoughts and advice. I've been taking 1500mg D Mannose for several days now and no difference. Have made another GP apptmt and might ask for urology referral.

I think 2000mg of D-Mannose daily is the prophylactic dose, more is needed for an active infection. I can't advise on dose (not qualified and there is very little research anyway) but have a google for suggestions and see what you think.

Thanks all - GP told me to stop the trimethropin and has started me again on 7 days of nitrofurantoin. Gaah! What a mare this all is.

Also ordered an STI test kit online just to rule that out, though it does seem very unlikely (though not impossible ofc).

If it doesn't resolve then urology referral...yay?

Gaaaaaah, I seriously cannot stand this weird "fizzling" feeling after peeing. I've already taken 2 doses of the nitrofurantoin and it's no better. Just feel like this feeling is gonna last forever :( Has anyone ever had this - like not full-blown UTI symptoms, but just a discomfort after urinating?

@buzzheath Are you certain there is lingering infection? Discomfort/pain after urination is how my painful bladder syndrome/urethral syndrome presents. It can happen when your urethra is irritated after an infection so it doesn't mean you haven't had an infection but possibly no longer do.

I find that the pain with PBS is the opposite to with an infection. With infection the discomfort is as the bladder fills then with urination. With PBS it's after urination (sometimes starting as I finish then progressively becoming worse afterwards).

@SwordBilledHummingbird oh...I'm not sure. I hope it's not that, as I'm guessing there's no treatment for that? :(

You need to take much more d-mannose for it to work. If you have powder form I’d add a dose to every glass of water you have. You basically use most of a bottle to clear an infection. Like 10g daily for about 5 days. Then to prevent recurrence you take 2g daily or 3g before /soon after sex.

There is treatment for PBS but you might find that it eventually calms down on its own and that you don't need any. I had a rigid cystoscopy, which I needed anyway for investigations but, other than that, I've had no treatment. If I have a flare up I focus on pelvic floor relaxation, heat and diet (both food and drink - I remove all potential irritants) to calm it down. The sooner I implement these things the quicker it goes away.

This might not be what's happening for you, and you should obviously keep going back to your GP if you're concerned about infection, but it's worth reading up on strategies for a PBS/Interstitial Cystitis flare up and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks @SwordBilledHummingbird! Glad you are able to manage it. It does seem to have slightly settled since my 4th antibiotic but not sure. It does feel like it might be post-infection inflammation or something so will keep an eye.

@SwordBilledHummingbird would you mind saying a bit more about pelvic floor relaxation ? Thanks

Oh my god man. Surprised my stomach has felt relatively ok up til now, given it's my 4th course of antibiotics. But all hell has just broken loose 😥

I'm already taking probiotics. Any other tips?

Sorry you are feeling awful with the antibiotics @buzzheath
I've just started my 3rd lot of 7 days of amoxicillin and feeling really ropey on the journey home from work.
This one didn't effect me too much previously but don't know if I taken it 3 times in quick succession.
Anyway I hope it settles for you soon.

I feel your pain! Haven't had one in ages then about 12 days ago got one out of the blue- 7 days of Macrobid then 4 days feeling ok then started to feel crap again. Took a sample to the doctor and they have sent off to see what bacteria grows as to what new antibiotics I need! Feel crap 💩 the things we ladies have to put up with!

I personally find, when it's bad, that lying on my back (you can be propped up with a pillow in bed if you like) with legs bent and apart really helps to stretch the pelvic floor. You can either hold your knees with your hands or support them with pillows. I used this position a lot while in bed, reading or watching TV, to try to calm things down and it did help. I discovered recently that it's also helpful for period cramps.

It's really hard to describe stretches (sorry if the above isn't at all clear!) so have a google and see if you can find some exercises that you're happy to try.

Oh Buzzheath, I could've written this!
I had a UTI a few weeks ago and was given the 3 day ABs, felt OK after but not quite back to normal, now getting that lower abdominal pain, not as bad just coming and going & just generally feeling not right - it's shite

@SwordBilledHummingbird really interesting. Thank you

@HattieMacTattie Have you asked for more antibiotics? I'm realising that 3-day courses are just ridiculous!

Sorry to hear you are still unwell. Have you tried drinking 3+ litres of water, if I really struggle I will do this over course of 2-3 hours, constantly running to loo of course but as doctor said it is best to flush yourself out. Possibly try those cranberry pills I linked in previous post, they do work for me and I've been managing uti's now for 15 years.

I also do my own urine tests at home, which helps for peace of mind that it is indeed a urine infection, can also get those on amazon.

My strategy is flush with water and then maintain 3 litres for days ahead and 3 cranberry tablets per day if I catch a uti. Very inconvenient as can't really leave the house when flushing myself out with water! But it works for me and was advice from a&e doctor.

Goid luck

D Manoose has saved me, and has even cleared infections when I catch it early.

It absolutely has to be the Waterfall D Manoose powder, all the rest is useless... believe me, I've tried them all!!

So it feels a litttttle better all in all, and it's my fourth day of antibiotics, but it just feels like that area is still a little sore/inflamed after I pee? Maybe the infection itself has gone but it's just still inflamed. Lord knows. I am chugging water and D-Mannose powder like anything.

How old are you? It does sound a little like urogenital syndrome of menopause

I had recurrent cystitis and was fobbed off by my (female) GP for 3 years with antibiotics, Vagifem... "it's your age, it's your womb" and I suspect because I told her my aunt died of bladder cancer she also thought my symptoms were caused by anxiety.

Even after I had blood in my wee and stabbing pains I was told I must have been mistaken, it was probably from my womb. Long story short, I finally had a cystoscopy. No breaking the info gently, the doctor doing the exam said - "Yes, that's cancer".

I was REALLY angry that my GP hadn't done more thorough tests sooner - I'd still have had cancer, but maybe it wouldn't have progressed so far. I was told that bladder cancer is usually caught later in women than men. No surprises there!

So, I'm not suggesting this is your problem but if you are offered a cystoscopy don't be put off by the fact it's unpleasant. It's uncomfortable for a few days afterwards, but at least you'll know there's nothing sinister going on.

@margegunderson I'm 32, so hopefully not...