possibly nail melanoma and UTI infections.

[artydutch]

Dear all,

I have been having a UTI since 11 May. I was a day on intravenous antibiotics followed by 7 days oral antibiotics. Within two days of stopping the ITU was back, so back on antibiotics…

How difficult is it to clear an UTI and are there any preventative ways to avoid this beyond drinking loads?.

I also showed the doctor a strange vertical dark mark under my nail, that came up 4 weeks ago. There is a suspicion of melanoma. I have been fast tracked under the cancer pathway and are waiting for appointment.

Can this be Rux? I started on 20 mg 3 months ago. Concerned…..

[Cat1001954]

hi I am prone to utis the blood in my urine during uti sent me to heamatology for ET cancer diagnosis. I take for 1 month cefAlexin 1 each night then nitrofurantoin. The flowing month 1 at night and alternate on a monthly basis a doc told me that horseradish is helpful for utis

[DougyW]

The best things for preventative approach on UTI is drinking loads and to be honest that's recommended for all MPNs. I drink 2 lltrs of water a day and if I miss I notice it. Thats no UTI either.

[hunter5582]

Unfortunately, infections are a possible side effect associated with ruxolitinib. Some UTIs are very difficult to clear. Suggest finding out which type of infection this is. My mother developed a urinary MRSA infection when she was in the hospital. It was very difficult to treat.

Issues with nails are known to be associated with hydroxyurea but have not seen the same with ruxolitinib. There is a known association with non-melanoma skin cancers. Dark lines under the nails can come from a number of causes, including trauma and infection. Given what you have going on, I would be suspicious of an infection. It is certainly something to get to the bottom of with your care team.

Hope you are feeling better soon. Please do let us know how you get on.

[Cja1956]

I used to get frequent UTIs as well. My gp put me on a supplement called d-mannose with cranberry extract which has helped tremendously. I also do estradiol cream twice a week. I haven’t gotten a UTI in almost a year.

[Jelbea]

Hi artydutch - I see that Cja1956 has told you exactly what I was going to say. I had cellulitis on my cheek last September followed by UTIs in December and January (e.coli infection). I found out about d-mannose and I took it for some time (without the cranberry extract as I am on a blood thinner). I had had bad reaction to nitrofurantoin in December and in January I was put on trimethoprim to which I had a violent reaction and was in hospital for nine days - severe migraines, stiff neck and shoulders and thought to be the start of aseptic meningitis. Fortunately I was treated in time.

Anyhow I continued on d-mannose for the following six weeks or so and have not had another UTI. I have some ready to take should I develop any symptoms as I do very badly with antibiotics and am allergic to penicillin.

I bought the best sort I could from Amazon. The name was Waterfall D-mannose. Hope this helps and you are better very soon.

[Anouchka]

I too recommend the D-Mannose. And I take an extra pill of Cranberry at the same time. It doesn’t always lessen the frequency though, but is def beneficial. I’m prone to UTIs as well, with PV. When one rears its ugly head im put on Fosfomycin or Bactrim and thankfully it clears…. Hydration is def important!

[user2021a]

I developed a line down one of my nails - I’ve been on Rux for 9 weeks - I couldn’t decide whether to be worried or not? Was waiting for appointment at hospital next Thursday to ask

[Exeter21]

I had same situation with fingernail. Big ridge centre . Biopsy done & negative. Nail removed & new one grown same. If you can escape biopsy I would not recommend it. They cut my skin either side finger nail removed nail & took biopsy from bone below nail base. I had horrendous pain & discomfort lots of antibiotics for not healing . Taken me 18 months for nail to regrow & finger heal . Left me now with arthritis in finger joint that I never had before intervention . Julia UK (. I am sure medication caused mine I was Hydroxy then Peg .)