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.

I've a history of UTIs - when I read about how the infection can burrow into the bladder wall lining and then periodically shed, creating a 'new' infection, I went onto a lower dose antibiotic to keep it at bay.

https://liveutifree.com/professor-malone-lee/

I'm also now on HRT and take probiotics tailored for vaginal health.

Also, um, on the same general theme of female parts, does anyone know how thrush presents? I've been on antibiotics for a few weeks now and have a general sore/tingly feeling down there that feels separate from the UTI stuff, so thinking maybe it's thrush? But there doesn't seem to be a definitive test? I don't have any weird discharge or crazy itching so not sure if I should treat it as thrush? Urghhhhhhh

@pearlydewdroptwins how long did you take the antibiotics for ?

@buzzheath best of luck with appointment. (Worth mentioning ossicle thrush to them just in case they have any thoughts)

@dahliaaa ossicle thrush?

@buzzheath sorry ! That was meant to say 'about' thrush.
I've read a couple of messages suggesting that HS advise on thrush because of their use of antibiotics

Update: had my apptmt at the Harley Street Chronic UTI clinic. He didn't seem overly concerned and re-assured me it likely wouldn't turn into a multi-year issue. He said white blood cells in urine were elevated which indicates infection is still present. Prescribed cephalexin for 4 months, as well as Hiprex, but said I could just start on the Hiprex first and see how that goes.

Feeling pretty defeated for some reason. The naggy nerve pain is still there.

Have taken my first (half) dose of Hiprex. Bit nervous as apparently it can cause stinging/burning for some. Will update.

Have you thought about low dose Amitriptyline for the nerve pain? This helped me so much when I had an ongoing uti. My uti has finally cleared after about 7 weeks of ABs. Now just taking Hipprex and oestrogen

My history was very similar to this. It was only the three months course that cleared it but that had to be prescribed by the hospital, not the GP.

@Morethansnacks I did consider it! Maybe I will. Given it's still only been 5 weeks I might wait it out a bit and see if the hiprex etc helps, or if it resolves with time. I already take some medications for a different, unrelated health issue I have so trying to avoid if possible! Though tbf, antibiotics for 4 months is quite an undertaking...

@Morethansnacks It actually feels a bit overkill to me to even describe it as "pain". It's more just...discomfort? Tingliness? Hoping it resolves. So glad yours has resolved! Has anyone taken cephalexin?

Some reviews of Hiprex are saying to take it with Vitamin C...? But the doctor never said this - and he charges for emails! Anyone got any experience?

@buzzheath Cefalexin is the only antibiotic that works for my infections but yours isn't really sounding like an active infection so your doctor will probably be reluctant to prescribe as Cefalexin over-use can have some pretty serious consequences for gut health.

Hiprex made me so much worse and I think was responsible for triggering my pain.

@SwordBilledHummingbird How did Hiprex make you worse? Sorry to hear that. The doctor I saw today did prescribe Cephalexin

Hiya, I've been treated by the Harley street clinic.
Hiprex: it works best in acidic urine. Vitamin c acidifies the urine which is why it's sometimes recommended. I'd suggest you don't do this until you've settled on it as it can make the initial side effects worse. Hiprex can cause a bit of burning and stinging to start with but it tends to pass in a few days. If you have any bother with it, start with half a tablet a day and go up from there to get to two a day. If I were you I'd be tempted to just take the antibiotics too.

@buzzheath Oh that's good they think it will help, maybe it will do the trick then?

I took Hiprex when I had an active infection (the one that started my trouble last year) and it caused severe pain and burning. Apparently it's a fairly common side effect because the Hiprex is literally turned to formaldehyde in your bladder and causes burning and pain with/after urination in some people. My urologist has said I mustn't take it again but there was no risk of that, I binned the tablets pretty swiftly!

The finding of white blood cells in your wee on urine microscopy is what the clinic uses to diagnose UTI so the fact that they are there shows you do have one

@DameKatyDenisesClagnuts Oh, interesting! My culture from a few days ago from my GP came back negative thoigh, hence my confusion...

Once the infection settles you should tolerate hiprex better- the burning happens when your bladder is inflamed

@DameKatyDenisesClagnuts How are you now? Was your treatment successful?

Yep, that's the hallmark of an embedded infection. Was the dipstick positive for leukocytes and possibly blood but lab culture came back negative? I had that for years before I got treatment from the Prof

I'm okay at the moment but been on antibiotics for many years unfortunately. I'd had my symptoms for 12 years when I went to the clinic though including a long period on steroids which I think really allowed things to take hold. It's good that you've tried to get this sorted really quickly, would def recommend that

@DameKatyDenisesClagnuts So sorry to hear you have suffered for so long. Fingers crossed you continue to improve.

Ha, the doctor did seem surprised when I said I'd only been experiencing this for 5 weeks - I get the impression most women have been suffering for years before they go to the clinic :( I think I have just been especially anxious as I already have a long-term, quite debilitating chronic illness so really just wanted to get on top of this before/in case it got any worse.

Wish I'd done the same. I'm sure you'll feel better quickly given that you've taken action swiftly

@DameKatyDenisesClagnuts Thank you. Here's hoping you also make a full recovery <3

Are you relatively symptom-free, while you are taking the medication at least? I am worried about prolonged antibiotic use but the doctor did reassure me it shouldn't be too bad, and that it's generally well tolerated.