Urine infection ( e-coli)

[Red1973]

Am on methatraxate & recently had problems with passing water .Has gone on for a few weeks and on 2nd visit to dr last Wed was given urine test . Results back today - had text message from dr to collect antibiotics as e-coli infection ( which I might have had for several weeks)

Test results as follows

408 /ul urine microscopy pus cells

5.0 u/l urine microscopy red cells

12.0 /ul Epiithelial cell count

2.0 /ul Urine microscopy-casts

I do not know what these results mean ( good or bad) Coukd anyone please advise me as dr has not requested me to contact him except to pick up antibiotics.

Not sure whether I am having psoriatic arthritis flare or the infection but I have been really fatigued over past week and am due next methatraxate jab which of course I will now postpone as will be on antibiotics.

Any advice appreciated.

[BoneyC]

I can't help with analysing the results but how often do you have blood tests for MTX? If you've had a UTI for weeks, I would have thought your white cells would be raised, hasn't anyone spotted this?

[sylvi]

I am so sorry your suffering like that, sending hugs for you darling. Sorry i can't help with the results.xxxx

[Runrig01]

Your results just confirm presence of a bacterial infection. There’s not much more the gp can do, but prescribe antibiotics. If you don’t feel better after the course I’m sure they’ll review you. If your joints haven’t flared, the fatigue is likely a symptom of the UTI, so should improve once the antibiotics kick in. E-Coli is often found in the urine. Hope you feel better soon

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Runrig01]

I would agree about fatigue being a likely side effect of the UTI although I take hydroxychloroquine not methotrexate - when I have had a UTI and I’ve had quite a few over the past couple of years, I feel utterly wiped out. Obviously there could be other reasons - how are your vitamins and minerals etc?

Can you ask your GP to do blood tests and include vitamin D3, B12, folates and ferritin as well as a full thyroid panel you need your vitamin and minerals well up in their lab ranges for you to feel good and if your thyroid isn’t optimal for you you can feel pretty tired too. Also I seemed to be taking so many antibiotics for the repeated UTIs that I now take a probiotic along with antibiotics

[Scottishlad]

Looking at your profile I presume that you are male. UTIs in men can be caused by an enlarged prostate, this makes completely emptying the bladder more difficult. The stale urine encourages the build up of infection.

A couple of years ago I had a UTI which had me going to the loo every hour day and night. The doctor arranged a PSA test (normal) and did physical check on my prostate and confirmed it was a bit enlarged. He prescribed Tamsulosin to relax the bladder and this has helped my bladder function.

From my experience maybe you should be having a prostate and PSA check.