Glucose and Blood in urine

[Legoladd]

I started heart medications over a month ago after heart failure. These include Atorvastatin, Forxiga/Dapaglifozin, Bisoprolol, Eplerenone, Clopidogeral, Ramipril and aspirin.

I have had two urine tests following muscle pain and back ache about a week apart and both show traces of blood and glucose. The doctor has booked a blood test for next week but I am very worried. Could this have anything to do with my medications? Has anyone else experienced this?

Forxiga works on the kidneys and is also given to people with Diabetes reducing blood sugar by causing more to be got rid of in the urine. I am not or wasn't Diabetic so could there be a link?

[Blackknight57]

I’m not diabetic either, horrid back ache, at least I don’t have blood in my pee.

I also have dry scaley itchy skin, forxiga is known to cause this.

Blood in your pee could be many things. Best get it checked out .

Surprise the put you on clopra and aspirin .

[Legoladd in reply to Blackknight57]

Thank you for replying. The back ache is getting me down. I have never had back problems of any kind and would love to stop taking the medications that may be causing it but the heart nurse says my heart failure means I need to keep taking them. It is frightening to be told I need these meds so much when prior to admission to hospital I felt perfectly well and was fit and healthy. I experienced mild tightness in my chest after a stressful meeting at work which had gone 24 hours later. It is hard to accept I have had heart failure as I have zero other symptoms. Sorry you are also getting side effects. How long have you been taking the meds?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Both aspirin and clopidogrel can induce internal bleeding. And statins have a well known side effect of muscle aches and pains for some people. But your health professional should be aware of that. So with that in mind you have a basis for discussion after the blood test.

[Legoladd in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for your reply. It is all worrying and stressful. No one has mentioned the aspirin or clopidogrel. I just have to wait for the blood test and then go back to the GP. Just surprised she didn't consider the side effects of medication given that is what I went to see her about in the first place and a urine test at the weekend by the Out Of Hours GP had already shown the blood and glucose before I saw her. I have already stopped the statin but have been advised not to stop the Forxiga, despite the back pain, as following heart failure I really need this med. Struggling to cope with the thought of back ache being a permanent part of my life. They won't make any decisions on changing or stopping meds until I have an MRI, and the waiting list is at least 6 months.

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to Legoladd]

If the statin you are taking is responsible for the muscle pain and backache you are experiencing as a side effect there are other statins which may not carry the same side effect and that is something to discuss with your GP. Rosuvastatin seems to be a popular alternative to atorvastatin that works for some people. And if statins turn out to be not for you there are other forms of medication available to manage your cholesterol , assuming management is necessary. Finally if you didn't get all the issues you are now experiencing before you started on the many different forms of medication you now take, medication is surely a factor to be considered by your GP in understanding the issue and importantly doing something about it, as you have indiacted. Hope you get sorted .

[Legoladd in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you. I am hoping to be able to speak to the GP after the blood test. Starting so many medications all at once makes it hard to know what's going on. I've been told I can stay off Atorvastatin for now so hoping the back ache will improve but have been told I need to continue with Forxiga as this is important to help my heart recover so if this is causing the back ache I will have to live with it.

[Twosumsmum]

the Dapaglifozin will be responsible for the glucose in your urine that’s how it works . But you do need to be mindful that you can be prone to more UTIs . I am on anti coagulants as well and do occasionally get haematuria that’s obvious and other times just on testing .

[Legoladd in reply to Twosumsmum]

Thanks for replying. The possible side effects of the medications frightens me as I am not used to taking any medications. I am dreading getting UTIs as I used to get Cystitis when I was younger. I am taking Aspirin and Clopidogrel which might explain the blood. Do you get back ache from the Dapaglifozin?

[Twosumsmum in reply to Legoladd]

I couldn’t tolerate Dapaglifozin . Just being post menopausal is causing to be prone to UTIs , I take D-mannose every day and now I have been trying bladder support capsules that are truly marvellous . If you are getting back pain as well maybe you have an infection, hope your test results give you answers .

[aviation1]

Sometimes it is just a process of changing meds until you find the right ones balanced to your body - all meds have potential side effects, and sometimes meds clash

[Legoladd in reply to aviation1]

Thanks.

[ardgay]

When I was diagnosed with heart failure I was put on daplagifozen but this caused chronic itching and was then put on Dioxogin, 250mg Bisoprolol10 mg edoxaban 80 mg furosemide 40 mg , atorvastatin 80 mg and ramipril 7.5 mg. Before the heart failure diagnosis I was on 10 mg rampril for years as I have always had rather high blood pressure. However in hospital the ramipril was reduced to 7.5 mg . As you are probably aware ramipril can have an effect on your kidneys but my bloods have always been fine. I do have some back pain for about an hour after I have taken my meds and when I start to do anything but have got used to it. On a positive note these meds have helped my ejection factor which was severe but is now moderate after my last echo. Hope this helps

[Legoladd in reply to ardgay]

Thank you. My EF was very low and I am hoping it is improving and the meds are helping. Glad to hear you are improving. How long have you been on the medications? Its been just over a month for me and I am struggling to accept the side effects and health care professionals are very dismissive, telling me how good the medications are and that I need them.

[ardgay]

I had my first echo in October 2023 and was diagnosed with severe heart failure. 8 months later I had a follow up echo which showed an improvement. I also attended cardiac re-hab which also helped a lot and was able to talk to the physio and nurse there about any side effects of the medication. I saw the Cardiologist a few weeks ago and he prescribed artovarstatin (80mg)which I am struggling with a bit but will give it a chance. I have got to say I have had tremendous support from the whole Cardiac team. Hope you soon see the benefits too

[Battl]

Hi

Similar story to you, female in 60’s on same medication- with new lower back pain and muscle ache with both sugar and invisible red blood cells on urine testing.

I was told sugar was due to dapaglifoxin medication. However my GP made a referral on to urologist to exclude other conditions - told nothing sinister after hospital investigations. The consultant urologist told me that leaking invisible red blood cells require annual follow up with urine test at GP. It was a really scary time and the lower back pain dragged my mood down.

However you need to ask your GP to check the results in your urine and exclude other factors.

The back ache and muscle ache has abated (after 8-10 mths) and now back to healthy heart exercise class. Stayed in same medication.

All the best

[Legoladd in reply to Battl]

Thank you so much. Glad the back ache has settled down. I worry about the blood probably more than most as my father had bladder cancer. The doctor hasn't suggested referral to urology only a blood test to check for Diabetes, which I'm pretty sure I don't have. It is all worrying

[Battl]

I recall how anxious I was …it is horrible to deal with unknown.

I did wait for many months .. a wait & see if invisible blood cells were due to a low grade infection. I had weekly blood and urine tests for weeks, however I suspect my onward referral was eventually made because of deranged blood results as well ( which also settled down) I had also lost weight due to the heart failure medication.

Perhaps if your GP is aware you are concerned about family history she/ he would make a referral ? You don’t need additional stress.

Good luck and keep us updated if you can