Urine levels (pus)

[Red1973]

Not sure if posting on correct group but have psoriatic arthritis , myelopathy, urology problems- all meant to be linked.

Had more specific urological problems last week after resuming injections a few days earlier and ended up with pain all joints - saw dr last week who said I might have urine infection and gave me seven days antibiotics (only two days left now) - did sample - just seen results and my urine Microscopy pus cells is u/l 5892 ( range is 0-40) and my red cells is u/l 21 ( range 0-16)

Have managed to see my medical records via My GP and Dr has seen the results and said e-coli on antibiotics.

I have had no direct message from health centre- should I be concerned re the microscopy pus levels.

[ScooTash]

Hi Red1973. I am interested in your post; new to this site. Stumbled across it last week. I have PSA and in 2023 I experienced 12 UTIs. Not always the same bug. Turned out I have diverticulitis of the bladder (who knew there was such a thing?). Nobody ever suggested that this was linked with PSA. I was given eight different antibiotics during this period - now I have gut issues. Initially diagnosed as SIBO and now LIBO. The UTIs had to be managed intensively so that I could have total hip joint replacement which urgently needed doing. With the help of a gynaecologist, amongst other specialists, I got to surgery which was successful. That was nine months ago and in the post-surgery period I have had only one UTI. Hiprex is possibly the main deterrent, although I also use Vagifem as well. At one point I was put on an extremely high dose of vitamin C (which possibly caused diarrhoea for many months) until my GP twigged that the high dose was probably a contributing factor. I am now on the Low FODMAPS diet which shows every indication of fixing my gut problems but it will be a long journey to recovery. Meanwhile food choices I made on this diet, initially, caused a massive flare up of PSA. That’s now under control, but I have to be very careful with diet. I don’t know if there’s anything here that might help you now or down the track, but I hope so and I wish you well with managing this issue - and PSA in general.

I am filing away in my brain that the UTIs could be linked to PSA. Unfortunately just saw my rheumatologist and don’t see him again for three months. Makes sense, I guess, because systemic inflammation could be the root cause of inflammation of the bladder leading to stretched pockets where the urine sits and falls ready prey to bacteria.

Would love to know if anyone else with PSA has experienced UTIs.

[Red1973 in reply to ScooTash]

Thanks for your response ScooTash

Interesting comments

I have also been told of diverticulitis in my bowels.Two months ago dr sent off a sample as I had been complaining of urinary/ bowel problems and constipation for months.24 hrs later got called for urgent appointment with him as thought I had cancer. Had colonoscopy two weeks later and fortunately had diverticulitis and not cancer.

[cyberbarn in reply to ScooTash]

I have PsA and have never (knowingly) had a UTI. Are you on any immune suppressant drugs for your PsA? That is known to increase the rate of UTIs, but then many people without PsA also have UTIs so it is hard to know what's what. There is some evidence that a UTI could trigger at PsA flare rather than the other way around though.