Hi
I have CKD stage 3 and I keep having problems with it uti symptoms. I get prescribed antibiotics as the test strips show I have an infection and then the antibiotics don’t work. Every time they send the urine test off it comes back negative but I’m still left with the symptoms. When I ask the doctor why this could be happening they don’t know and it’s almost as though they think I’m making it up. Has anyone experienced this?
Cultures are done for a number of reasons regarding urine. But it is often as a double check on the test strip results. The stick may show no indication of a UTI but that is because the "variety" of uti may be a different type and only show in a culture. Also a culture is done if the strip also shows a positive result. Again to determine what type of UTI. For example Cipro is commonly given for a UTI. But then the culture shows a different result and a different antibiotic is given. Now you are saying you have the symptoms and your test strip shows an infection, and the culture shows nothing. This is not unusual at all. But apparently the antibiotic is not helping and your strip still shows and you still have symptoms. And your doctor just shrugs his/her shoulders?? Go to a urologist. If this doctor is a urologist, go to a different one. HOWEVER, you say your stick shows an infection. If the strip is indicating infection ONLY on the leukocyte section, this is a common error with dip sticks. To indicate this result when there is no infection. Be sure you "symptoms" are real. Sometimes we can over analyze ourselves. I have done it.
The same thing was happening to me last year. I'm 4 years post menopausal and the tissues get thin and open to infection. My urologist and nephrologist overruled my PCP and put me on very low dose of estradiol along with progesterone. They reached the conclusion that the stronger and stronger antibiotics were worse for my kidneys than low dose hormone therapy. I have no history of blood clots or heart health issues, and I do some form of exercise daily. It worked almost immediately. Not 1 UTI since then.
I have literally just experienced the exact same today! Been feeling bad since Sunday past, increased my fluids, rested up, checked urine on Tuesday morning and it was positive for nitrites. Day went on and I felt worse, really sick etc so called doc and told to hand in sample which normally goes for culture. I advised it wouldn't be my first morning one now but didn't bother as they would culture it. Got trimethoprim then today still feeling bad and now shay as well with headache from hell. So called nurse and she said my last sample was clear when they dip stocked it so they binned it and didn't send it for culture! I sed I know it was clear to dip stick as I'd already checked it again and that in my case I often show nitrites in the morning and none theough the day as I drink do much water when I'll. She basically called me a liar and restated that it would test positive at any time if the day(not so, according to the British medical journal). Anyway due to my history the agreed to stop the trimethoprim and switch to nitro. She checked the sample I'd just done and again said it was clear. Feel like such a hypochondriac!
How strange! I had 3 uti's in the space of around 6 weeks recently! The renal consultant gave me antibiotics and sent urine off, came back with a small infection (I'd been feeling tired and a little sick) , a week later the prescribing nurse found I had another small infection, so more anti-biotics and after yet another week I actually spoke to my doctor on the phone and she prescribed me some more. Spoke to my renal consultant, but no more infections so far.
Find it annoying though, that you are known to have renal problems, but they dont think you know your own body and how you are feeling!!
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