Uti

[Constance13]

I've got the 3rd Uti since April. This time I've had to take antibiotics and they have affected me no end. Very tired, very achy - I've never noticed this before when taking abs. Have others suffered this way? I'll be glad when I'm off them!!

[SheffieldJane]

No I haven’t but I do experience UTI symptoms frequently without infection. Only Ovestin 1 mg cream seemed to help. Treating the cause in older females.

NB. My Endocrinologist was concerned that it would impact on my Synacthen Test results and I stopped - the symptoms returned.

[Constance13 in reply to SheffieldJane]

The PMR is giving me jip too (shoulders, arms, wrists)! I thought taking antibiotics would help PMR too!?!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Constance13]

Not in my case. I took Amoxicillin for a recent persistent cough. The course seemed to loosen it but has left me pretty wiped out. Sleeping the summer away.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Constance13]

Antibiotics deal with infections and unless the pain in your body is due to an infection antibiotics will have no affect on your pmr. All you can do us what all the others have suggested and rest and drink lots of water. Also watch out for thrush as antibiotics often leave this as their calling card.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Abx do sometimes have an anti-inflammatory effect - strange but true

[Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro]

Tbh never thought of them being even a little bit of use with inflammation. I learn something new every dayx

[Breconblue in reply to SheffieldJane]

You prob do have infection though. Even Urologists admit the lab tests done by NHS sensitivities are too low.

[Constance13 in reply to Breconblue]

They are very good over here (Germany) so if the say "antibiotic" you NEED them!😂💐💐

[Marilyn1959]

Hi Constance. Like you I have had constant repeated UTIs. In the past meds have not affected me. However now I am on daily antibiotic (Nitrofurantoin ) long term, in an attempt to keep UTI at bay, my stomach is playing up no end. I have also been achey and tired but can't distinguish whether meds are cause or PMR.

[Constance13 in reply to Marilyn1959]

These "cross illnesses" do seem to 'play' with each other, don't they?😏

[Telian in reply to Marilyn1959]

Hi Marilyn, I’m on a low dose Nitrofurantoine 100mg x1 at night for 4 months. Have you been told that you need your bloods taking regularly while on them as they can affect the liver?

I’m not sure if they’re working fully - been on them nearly 3 months - but definitely feel more comfortable.....

Urologist is hoping this treatment will allow the bladder to heal - I’m 2 years 8 months with chronic UTI symptoms.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to Telian]

Thanks Telian No I wasn't told about blood tests. I have been on them a couple of months so will ring surgery and check.

I am a bit concerned since symptoms seem to be reversed ??????? When taking tablets I pee less and get to stage where I am struggling to pee. Also my stomach then plays up. I then miss a tablet and pee relatively normally, but as soon as I miss two you can see signs of UTI I. E. Murky pee with slight odour. I really don't know what to do for the best.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marilyn1959]

Murky rust coloured pee is common with it, horrible abx! BUT, had your renal function been checked before you were put on it? It can cause renal problems and worsen existing ones. I'd be checking with my GP before taking much more.

[Telian in reply to Marilyn1959]

I've finished my course of Nitro... now so fingers crossed. I didn't have the problems you're experiencing and If I were you I'd be back to doctors - don't try to work it out yourself - doesn't sound right not being able to pee properly. You've got signs of an infection there with the smelly wee, do you have back pain in the kidney area? Drink lots of fluids. I took hubby to docs today for something else and last night his pee had the most awful odour and yes he has a UTI, never gets them.

Let us know how you get on.

[Hidden]

Hi Constance

Hugs & Sympathies 🤗 l’m on day 8 of a 10 day course of AB’s & they have made me feel a bit yucky this time around, l’m heartily sick of AB’s l have a Cystoscopy booked for 14th August, my PMR is playing up too.

I think when we have something like a UTI it affects our whole system. Think we’ve just gotta hang in there, keep taking the tablets & drinking plenty of water.

Get Well Soon 💐

MrsN

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

Return sympathies!😂

[Manchesterlady]

Hi Constance , I’ve had lots of Uti infections . I was referred to a urologist who did a cystoscopy. Been much better since that 🤞. My GP said it was because he had stretched my uretha and am now empting my bladder properly .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Manchesterlady]

Had that done 3 times - blessed relief for up to 10 years each time.

[Manchesterlady in reply to PMRpro]

Shouldn’t have spoken!!!!had routine BP and urine sample yesterday and there were traces of blood in it .so I don’t know what’s going on now . Still waiting for a repeat cystoscopy with a biopsy.

[jinasc]

Manchesterlady has said it 'frequent UTI's' insist on seeing a Urologist or the STD Clinic most places have a walk in centre.

An old wives tale, which works for most people, at the start of the burn etc. 1 teaspoonful of bicarb in as little water as possible, repeat after two hours........if it is going to work the two doses should stop it in its tracks.

[Constance13 in reply to jinasc]

Too late! Was at Nephrologist's and she found blood and inflammation in urine. That's why she recommended antibiotics.

If it is 'only' a normal UTI I can cope pretty well. Just soooo exhausted this time.🥴

[jinasc in reply to Constance13]

Hope you soon feel better,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,however there are no 'normal' UTI's 🤔 and what an unwanted 80th BP. xxxx

[Ruadh]

Suggest takig Mannose. Mannose is an alternative treatment for UTIs. With a deep infection, then will need more han Mannose as don't want to end up with kidney problems. Otherwise Mannose is pretty good - and keep up water intake. No sugar stuff, nor c-cola, plain water.

The pinch of bicarb, excellent. But again, not if infection has reached kidney area. Take care.

[Constance13 in reply to Ruadh]

Thank you! I have got minor kidney trouble so have to be careful. I see the Nephrologist every six months.

[Blearyeyed]

It is highly likely that rather than having a number of UTIs we have the same one ticking along for months which is not being fully treated with our Chronic Conditions.

When you get to that point it's like you are suffering the flu because it impacts on the kidney and that causes more pain everywhere as the waste and toxins in the body are not being quickly processed and released.

Adding in the antibiotic after a long term infection often does cause more stomach trouble and general pain as the defense system is in an all out war against the built up bacteria and as you are already weak and suffering Chronic Conditions the body as no energy to do two jobs at once.

Antibiotics often need to be stronger and taken for longer periods with steroids because of the reduced immunity in general.

The PMR triggers in activity and pain , even if it may not be a Flare , because the body doesn't distinguish between which issue it is defending itself from so it give out a pain response to everything.

Horrid and I hope it improves for you soon x

[Hidden]

It's interesting to me that my sister who is 55 and is in very good health has had 5 UTI in the past few months. The test usuly said fine but cultures yes. Had a scan and it's just abx after abx. No pred, no PMR,no GCA. So you are not alone ladies and perhaps it's not always pred etc. Whenever I wear jeans or tight trousers all day for 3 to 4 days I end up with thrush and cystitis. That's why at home I wear long t shirt things to allow a certain amount of air to circulate. This has gone on for 15yrs.

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

So if your doctor told you to take antibiotics you'd just ignore her/him would you?

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

No constance, not at all. I was just saying it's horrid and my sister in same position. In fact I suspect the abx course are "too short" or its particularly resistant/persistent even without autoimmune condition and other things like pred on top of that. If it ravages my healthy sister I can imagine what it does to PMR/GCA/pred etc ravaged bodies. I was just saying tight clothes make me get repeated thrush/cystitis attacks and over the years I have found a way to minimise that for me ...not a judgement by any means. If it didn't work I would take abx. It's thrush that seems to be my bugbear and I still have to have regular treatment for that. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

[Breconblue]

I have had two years of almost constant UTIs as well as PMR. Often doesn’t grow bacteria in nhs lab ( sensitivity too low but strong symptoms) this many UTI prob ‘ embedded’ infection. V difficult to eradicate . But long term antibiotics only way forward

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Breconblue]

It is thought the problem is the bacteria hide in the bladder wall so abx don't get at them - mannose is supposed to "flush them out" ...

[Zebedee44]

I had persistant UTtis in my first year of PMR with increasing doses of antibiotics, all of which was resolved by taking less Calcichew tablets. The calcium seems to irritate the lining of the bladder. But of course my bone strength is more at risk now, and I compensate by keeping to a healthy calcium rich diet.

Of course cranberry juice is well known to soothe an irritated bladder and I have found it very enjoyable with a bit of GIN as an early evening pick me up when my energy levels are depleted.

[Constance13 in reply to Zebedee44]

Will try that!😂😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zebedee44]

I changed brand - and also never take the calcium when I can't drink loads (as in when travelling). That seems to have helped.

[OutdoorsyGal in reply to Zebedee44]

And my doc says cranberry juice is fine for maintaining urinary tract health, but too irritating for an already irritated infected bladder.

Also the 3-day course of Bactrim prescribed by my doc was not long enough, according to the urologist who the doc referred me to. 7 days would be better.

[Zebedee44 in reply to OutdoorsyGal]

Coincidentally I started with the classic symptoms of a UTI this morning and was given a 7 day course of trimethoprim.

Thanks for the info about cranberry juice.

[whitefishbay]

I have had a few with PMR and you need to get strong antibiotics as the weak ones do not work. When I need to get a prescription I tell the gp that they must be the strong ones. UTIs are no fun.

[Constance13 in reply to whitefishbay]

Not when you have PMR and Polyarthritis they're not! I've hardly got out of the house for the last four days.

[SheffieldJane]

In myself, I am beginning to suspect a mild prolapse of pelvic organs that is making cross infection from bowel to bladder more likely. I seem to fit some of the symptoms. I have had 3 children and one traumatic birth - episiotomy, forceps, vacuum extraction etc. I am beginning to wonder if this has returned to haunt me, coupled with muscle weakness from steroid use. I sigh at the thought of taking this to a doctor as they simply do not have the time to be thorough and curious until things are critical.

[Constance13 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh dear! Things seem to be going from bad to worse in England!!

[Telian]

Afraid so Constance - some worse than others - if it gets too bad your GP can change them. How long a course is it? I’m known to ‘cope’ if it’s only a 5 or 7 day course. It might not be the antis making you feel ill it might be the infection - some infections can be really nasty ones making you very unwell- and more so in the elderly.

Make sure you keep you fluids up to help flush it through.

To help prevent future UTIs drink a glass of cranberry juice once a day (250ml) as it’s supposed to coat the bladder lining and can help prevent UTIs. It doesn’t help once an infection is there.

Think it’s been mentioned too - a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda in a little water helps to neutralise the acid in the urine at the start of an infection. Use three times a day for two days only then see your GP if no improvement.

We can buy OTC sachets in the UK - Cranberry flavoured!

I’m sorry you’ve joined this awful club. Hope you feel better soon. X

[Constance13 in reply to Telian]

Thanks Telian!💐

I have had the odd UTI over the years, as most of us have, but this year (April) I was hospitalised with UTI & E-coli + 'something they couldn't recognise'. As I started shivering from head to toe they rushed me into hospital, as only 18 months ago I had a similar experience and they discovered 'sepsis' (very scarey!!!).

Luckily they got me there in time this time.

Long story short! Since April I have had several UTIs and Nephrologist is watching me carefully.

We are very lucky here with doctors and specialists.

Took my last antibiotic this afternoon and hope that will get rid of this pesky illness.

Kindest regards from Constance.

💐🍸🍾😎

[Telian in reply to Constance13]

Oh Constance forgive me - I haven’t been on as much lately. Sepsis, E-coli with a UTI - unthinkable!! How awful for you.

Hubby had Sepsis last December so know how scary that is.

Thank goodness you’ve braved the antis to the end - hope they’ve done their job once and for all!

Best wishes for a full recovery. 💐💐💐

Terri x

[spearce]

I had repeated u t is last year plus antibiotics and feeling terrible. The urologist recommended various lifestyle things such as always taking off swimming costume and having a pee immedately after swimming, ( I do the same after a bath as well) .He also recommended oestrogen pessaries which help create a hostile environment for e-coli etc. So far all clear! Good luck!

[Constance13 in reply to spearce]

😂😂 I'd be delighted if I could swim or have a bath!! Too old and knackered to swim and only have a shower.

[Hidden]

take some d-mannose you might be taking to many antibiotics and it’s become infective in treating.

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

I only take antibiotics if absolutely necessary - twice in the last year.

I know I must see a doctor soon for more blood tests. Ah well so be it!