Embedded, Recurring or Both?

[abouttoturn50]

Hi ladies, I’ve had a ridiculous amount of UTIs over the last 2 years! I’m under urology. The nurse I saw a few weeks ago suggested a chronic or embedded UTI and that she would sort out long term antibiotics ASAP and that I’d have an appointment with the actual urologist. She didn’t sort them out AND I’m still waiting for an appointment with the urologist.

Quite often I have the symptoms of an infection and no growth from the lab, which, from what I’ve researched, fits with the embedded UTI theory. Luckily my GP treats on the symptoms but has apologised that he isn’t allowed to start me on a long term basis. He has started me on HRT and vaginal Oestrogen though.

However, in the last 4 weeks I’ve had 2 infections that have come back from the lab with completely different bacteria as you can see from the photos. So surely I have recurring not embedded? Or are the new bacteria present as well as the embedded and that’s just not showing? Getting sick of it all as, I’m sure, most of us are! I’m contacting PALS this afternoon to complain about the time I’ve been waiting and the lack of action regarding treatment.

Have you tried the vaginal ostregen cream? It's been a God send to me.
I only have a child size bladder ( age 6 to 10) so im a frequent goer and always had UTI's... ive also got a prolapse and adhesions ... but honestly the cream really helps.
Also helps my vaginal dermatitis.
Not sure what PALS will do. Waiting lists these days are always years.. not months or weeks.

@ItsFridayIminLoveJS yes I was given the vaginal oestrogen 3 months ago. I’ve also been started on Hiprex. My referral was done a long time ago, I’ve already been seen by the urologist, had a cystoscopy which showed inflammation, a kidney scan where I found I have a duplex kidney and the follow up appointment that was supposed to be with the urologist was done by a nurse who couldn’t prescribe! She promised to get me on long term antibiotics within a week (before the course I was on ran out) and I’ve not heard a thing since 6 weeks later! My GP suggested PALS as they should have me on a long term antibiotic by now. It’s been a nightmare X

If you are getting nowhere with NHS testing you could try a company called Digital Microbiology. I would very much recommend getting a vaginal swab done as well as the urine test as chronic and recurrent UTIs can be associated with a disruption of vaginal flora. This is actually much more likely at perimenopausal age.

On the same theme, taking a women's health probiotic could help e.g. Optibac for women.

I very much hope you get some relief one way of the other as it's a horrible condition.

XXXX