uti for 2 years now but lab tests are clear.

[Alban2004]

I have been suffering with a uti on and off for 2 years now every time my urine gets sent to the lab it comes back normal, does anyone have similar symptoms I am still waiting for a camera test to look in my bladder the doctor just keeps giving me antibiotics.

[RienPoort]

Hi, I have been suffering UTIs for 40-50 years with increasing frequency as I got older. My experience is my GP would prescribe antibiotics without lab tests while expressing concern about resistance! I took matters into my own hands and booked to see a top Urologist privately. To cut a long story short not all of my "UTIs" were bacterial infection, some were merely Leukocytes (white blood cells) in the Urine which went away of its own accord. For the past two and a half years I've been put on the preventative treatments: Hyacyst (which restores the mucous lining of the bladder) and Hiprex (which slightly acidifies the Urine). Both have been successful although the Hyacyst appeared to lose its efficacy after 18 months, albeit I'm not entirely sure the symptoms I was getting was a UTI. I would avoid long term antibiotics at all costs. Not good!

[Alban2004 in reply to RienPoort]

Thank you for your reply I really don’t want to take anymore antibiotics unless I really have to I was in a lot of pain last weekend. My lab cultures always come back normal but sometimes when the doctor does the dip stick test it comes out white blood cells is that a sign of IC. That is a long time you have suffered with utis have you took a lot of antibiotics. The past 2 years I have took so many.

[Loobielu]

Sounds like intestinal cystitis to me which I have. Mine was diagnosed via cystoscopy where they saw inflammation on bladder and had biopsies analysed and found some funny cells (can't remember the name 🤦). Anyway, anything like that is blooming horrible to live with 😔. I hope you find some peace with it soon x

[Alban2004 in reply to Loobielu]

I have heard of intestinal cystitis do you take any medication for this thank you for your reply.

[Loobielu in reply to Alban2004]

Oooh it's a weird one to treat, so many possible triggers. It helps to find your personal ones and avoid. I had 6 bladder rinses which coat the bladder wall which I think helped. They have a name but I would have to look back on my medical paperwork if you need that. I had them done privately. I also cut anything acidic out of my diet for a year, maybe this helped. Caffeine really triggers mine so I avoid that. I just stick to drinking water (yep boring I know). I tried one lot of medication, Tolterodine which are more for over active bladders but I couldn't tolerate the side affects. I also have a bladder that won't always fully empty. I also had to suggest and request for IC to be investigated but when you go private, money talks I'm afraid, it shouldn't be that way. Like many conditions, we try so many things to beat it that you can't always know which actually helped 😏😫! I'm currently trying exercises to relax my pelvic floor because I'm still getting pelvic pain (always left side). My bladder will always rule my life. It doesn't help I also have fibromyalgia so I feel pain more than I should. Hope this helps and I hope you find something that helps x

[Alban2004 in reply to Loobielu]

Thank you for your reply just so strange wish it would just go away the specialist I saw sent me to a bladder clinic but all they did there is told me to use vaginal moisturiser and do pelvic floor exercises I don’t think I have dryness as I am not at menopause age I am also pregnant feel a little lost she arranged a camera test but I will have to wait for this till next year. Can I also ask does IC symptoms come and go I had the worst pain the other evening like I had a really bad uti and then a few hours later all the symptoms went. And I felt back to normal.

[Loobielu]

yes, the symptoms can definitely come and go and what dreadful service from the bladder clinic! Congrats on the pregnancy but unfortunately pregnancy is rough on the bladder and pelvis too so right now it will be hard for you to know what is causing what. It sounds like you are going to have to ride this out until babe arrives. In the meantime definitely keep a diary of symptoms and possible triggers. My triggers are caffeine, sex, stress and too much exercise. Best of luck x

[Alban2004]

Thank you I am very excited to meet my little man, yes pregnancy does cause bladder issues to. My last pregnancy I had a lot of urine infections. I will defiantly keep a diary to see what triggers my symptoms. Thank you for your help Xx