Rituxin and UTI

[sweetcandy]

Hi,

I've been on rituxin and noticed that I'm getting frequent UTIs which antibiotics do not always clear up. Never had a problem with the UTIs before this. Wondering if this is the result of me being immuno-comprimised? Any one else having this problem?

[Lolabridge]

Hi yes it could be; I’m on Rituximab and I have a similar problem. I had 3 UTIs in past 6 months for which I had no noticeable symptoms but were detected in tests at hospital. So my Rheumy referred me to a urologist and he told me I have “asymptomatic bacteruria” and it does not necessarily need antibiotics. Apparently many women post-menopause have this problem. He was going to contact my Rheumy to discuss but I have not had feedback yet. Meanwhile he advised me to drink plenty, take D-mannose (get it at a health food shop) for 2-3 weeks before an infusion and he gave me an HRT cream to use to help.

[sweetcandy in reply to Lolabridge]

Hi,

Do u know what bacteria was causing it. I have recurrent group b strep ones and my urologist told me the same thing that if I don't really have symptoms not to treat it? I told him my urine was as a bit cloudy but he dismissed it. I was just worried about it getting to my kidneys. It's quite frustrating. I have had an ultrasound done of my bladder and nothing came up. Have you heard anything back from the rheumy?

Liz

[Lolabridge in reply to sweetcandy]

I’m going for an ultrasound scan of my bladder and kidneys later this week to check they are functioning normally. The bacteria in my urine is eColi.

Not heard from my Rheumy yet but he’s probably waiting to see what the scan shows.