Ongoing symptoms from UTI

[Painfullyindependent]

Ok this might be a long post. I am super anxious and worrying what this all means.

I am 46 and have only ever suffered with two previous UTIs in the past.

3 weeks ago I had a routine smear test (all normal) and then a week after that, I started to get symptoms of a UTI - increased frequency to wee, generally feeling unwell, urgency to wee. Did an online triage with my GP and they gave me 3 days of antibiotics. Took time off work as was feeling rubbish. Finished antibiotics last Sunday. Still had symptoms on Monday so went to see GP. Was told had to do urine sample to be sent away for analysis and was told no more antibiotics. Still feeling rough and having symptoms. Urine sample came back at negative for infection positive for traces of blood.

A nurse who works at my surgery, I know outside of that, she said I probably need more antibiotics so I did another urine sample and she dipped it in surgery and said it was still positive for blood so as I was still symptomatic, she issued more antibiotics, a different antibiotic for another 3 days. I have finished this course today.

Now since this UTI started I have this immense ‘pressure’ down low in the pelvis and lower abdomen. The only way I can describe it is if you need a wee and have to hold it for a long time and when you eventually go, you feel like a ‘full pressure’ feeling. I had had this for the past 10 days when this started.

I’m weeing loads at night and it isn’t just a dribble it’s full on wee every hour. I’ve drunk lots of fluids and I wee lots, I’ve tried not drinking a lot and I still wee lots.

I am going to try and get back into the GP this week to discuss but googling really hasn’t helped as it could be anything including:-

• overactive bladder
• bladder pain syndrome
• diverticulitis flare up (I have diverticular disease)
• Inflammation of the pelvic floor muscles
• PID - that’s is more STI related and I don’t have one
• Pregnancy - did a test so I could have the next lot of antibiotics and that was negative.
• Gynae problems - I have a fibroid that is stable at the moment and in the past had ovarian cysts which had disappeared on my last ultrasound 3 years ago.

I am experiencing more discomfort than pain and it’s tender/uncomfortable when I press along my groin and lower abdomen and my pelvis area. I’ve tried paracetamol, hot water bottles to try and help but it never goes away.

I know this needs to be investigated at the GP but I’m sat at home worrying and getting anxious as right now, I’m not sure what it will take for me to feel myself!

Hi. This could be the first signs of genitourinary syndrome of the menopause. If you can afford it I'd recommend going to see a menopause specialist and skip the GP. I hope you feel better soon. Xxx

How are you now OP?

Hi op I went on vagifem as plagued by utis. Had 3 antib last winter. Im much improved Im 50s. Maybe more prone in menopause? God they desperate though

Hope u ok. Once I started vagifem I felt alot better.

That sounds really uncomfortable, especially after taking two courses of antibiotics without much improvement. Sometimes bladder irritation can continue after a UTI, but the pressure and frequent urination could also be caused by something else.

Since your urine test was negative for infection but showed traces of blood, I'd recommend going back to your GP and asking whether further tests or an ultrasound might help. It's also worth mentioning your history of fibroids and ovarian cysts.

Try not to worry too much about everything you read online, as many possible causes are treatable. If you develop a fever, severe pain, or difficulty passing urine, seek urgent medical attention. Hope you feel like yourself again soon.

OP I hope you’re feeling better now? This is how my symptoms started 7 years ago. I was put on multiple short courses of antibiotics so by the time I got a proper Metagenomic home UTI test done with antibiotic sensitivity I was resistant to almost every antibiotic out there. 3 day courses don’t always work and GPs are starting to realise this now. I’ve seen top specialists now and if you or anyone reading this in the future have symptoms get tested properly, the nhs tests for UTIs are out dated and not fit for purpose and neither are their methods of prescribing for them.