Urine infection

[2013mayo]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone help, I keep getting urine infections, doc phoned yesterday to say it was bacteria infection and I also had high white cell count. I can’t understand why suddenly I’ve started to get these, I’m on 4mg pred, so not a high dose, I always wipe front to back, I don’t drink alcohol or very rarely eat sweet things. I can see no reason for suddenly getting this. I’d been feeling poorly for a week or so when I went to my doc for another problem, it was only by the way I left a urine sample as I’d been peeing a lot, I never thought for a second I’d got another urine infection so soon after the last one.

Any ideas of how I can prevent this would be helpful please.

Happy Easter for Sunday, ( don’t eat too many eggs ) 🌼💐

Ps, I’m on another antibiotic again

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I intermittently have a similar problem - when a UTI appears within a month or so of the previous one it is rarely new, but a resurgence of the last one where a few bacteria were left over despite finishing the course. I saw that confirmed with the last one - I took a sample for culture when I was having symptoms and there were loads of bacteria, the antibiotic was the right one so then taking the course should have sorted it out. However, I also had to provide a sample about a week later but I didn't look at the results until another week later when I had odd twinges again. The second sample was reported as "bacteria seen under the microscope" - I took another course of the antibiotic, so far, so good.

I found PMR caused irritable bladder syndrome - pred seemed to improve it, I suppose by masking the irritation. It is thought in that some bacteria are able to hide in the bladder wall and escape the antibiotic despite it being present in the bladder in the urine. One of the reasons for using D-mannose in UTIs is that is is said to flush the bugs out into the open so they can be got rid of.

[2013mayo in reply to PMRpro]

Hi,I quite agree with you regarding the first urine infection never cleared up, I think the antibiotic they give me isn’t strong enough, it’s called macrobid, I think I need another one but not sure which one. Further more I’m highly allergic to penicillin so not sure I should even take this drug as it’s some derivative of penicillin .

I don’t know what D mannose is or where I can get it.

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

Xx

[SheffieldJane in reply to 2013mayo]

I went through a miserable phase of this and D-Mannose helped as much as anything. The Adcal ( calcium) that I had been prescribed was an irritant. Once I stopped it things settled. I have lots of calcium in my diet and take vit D and vit K2 ( for absorption).

[2013mayo in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi ,I can’t even blame that because I stopped taking them ages ago, the only thing I take for bones is vit d, that’s when I remember.

Maybe it’s the pred, the only other thing I take is levothyroxine.

Maybe it’s me, what a carry on.

Xx

[maria40 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I shall certainly try that, though will have to order online as it's 5pm on Easter Saturday. I've had a persistent UTI for over a month - treated with Nitrofurantoin (which I couldn't tolerate), Ciprofloxacin and Claramycin. Penicillin is out because of anaphylaxis. Was clear for four days after Claramycin but now it's back. I had an unsuccessful anaesthetic free hysteroscopy on Thursday which had to be abandoned because of considerable pain. The Consultant contacted microbiologist but they couldn't come up with a suitable treatment ( I do have several other allergies) so I have to do something about it while I wait for a further hysteroscopy under GA . Thanks for the recommendation.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 2013mayo]

It's just a form of sugar used as a supplement. I get it from the pharmacy - easier here than looking in a healthfood place but possibly expensive, it isn't cheap but when you can't get to a GP at a weekend it does take the sting out of the UTI!

No - don't think it is you, I think it happens a lot on pred.

[2013mayo in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[Telian in reply to PMRpro]

I’m still having urology problems and couldn’t stand the pain so decided to stop the d-mannose as a tester. Symptoms haven’t completely gone but far less painful now. Seeing urologist on Wednesday following cystoscope.

[Twopies]

I’ve been getting violent ones lately. I take cefuroxime, everything else useless.

[2013mayo in reply to Twopies]

Hi, never heard of that one, maybe I might suggest it to my doc, it’s such a nuisance keep having to rush to the loo.😟Xx

[fmkkm]

D-mannose works well for bacterial UTI. Bacteria like to feed on sugar but this particular sugar has the affect of breaking up the colonies so they can be flushed out.If you wait too long to take it and the infection gets control you will most likely need antibiotics.

[2013mayo in reply to fmkkm]

Thank you , I’ll try anything, I’ve had a bad reaction to the antibiotic, can’t do anything about it as it’s Easter hol, no doctors open 🙁Xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Doesn't have to be pelvic floor dysfunction - a narrowed urethra is a common cause. I've had investigations and urethral stretches 3 times - I suspect it is time for the next, the effect has lasted about 8 or 9 years each time. But with Covid - who knows how long I will have to wait ...

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

Good thinking, makes more sense actually, all those years and years of repeated UTI’s .

I dread to even imagine how long you’d have to wait to get it done again PMRpro .

The process of getting the ball rolling to see a urologist again is daunting.

Something very strange happened while I had Covid. I was going with no problem, fast and no holds barred , like years ago . Of course it was embarrassing when coughing but it was almost a joy . The only reason I can think was my stomach was completely empty of all contents. But I enjoyed it while it lasted . Thank you and take care. x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

It is an outpatient procedure, done during a cystoscopy with no anaesthetic here - might be on ...

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

I hope you don’t have to wait long if it’s an outpatient procedure .

Very brave having it done without anaesthesia.

I’ve been reading about it this evening . x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

The first was done in Germany - no anaesthetic offered, just local spray I think, it was a long time ago! The second was in the UK and when he said he thought it needed doing again he said we'd have to wait - for an anaesthetist. I didn't fancy hanging around so told him to get on with it and explained I did know what it involved. The poor nurses were beside themselves! It's really not that awful, the bad pain is really fleeting and not as bad as period pain. Deep breathing gets you through. And here in Italy the Italian guy just did it, didn't even warn me he was starting except to say something like "sharp pain now".

They really don't go overboard with pain relief here for some reason which seems strange given what wimps most Italians are! Or perhaps that's why. When I had a broken leg stuck back together the charge nurse wouldn't bring me pain relief when I asked. Until the surgeon asked if I was getting enough pain relief and I shopped the nurse! You can't mobilise without adequate pain relief - the nurse got his ear bent by the surgeon and then I explained that when I ask for pain relief, I have already done my waiting.

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

Gosh , they sound unsympathetic regarding pain medication in Italy .

I’d prefer local anaesthetic over GA and not have the horrible side effects , but not sure I could cope without any analgesics .

The charge nurse must have been a sadist when you broke your leg ! Glad you told the surgeon , hope they learnt from that .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

He did come to apologise and present his excuses - which were basically that Italians act as if they've cut a leg off when they cut their finger! Or demand antibiotics for a cold. Which is perfectly true, I've seen it in action amongst friends! They do colonoscopies without sedation here too - which is fine, honestly. They have far fewer perforations than some countries too - because the patient is present and the operator has to be rather more gentle about progressing the scope.

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

At least he apologised which is a welcome change.

The lack of pain relief in Italy sounds quite barbaric . I hope they’re understanding regarding PMR .

We were told by an Italian friend living in London last year , that Covid cases were bad there because everyone was in hospital. She did say they are hypochondriacs , I wasn’t sure whether to agree or laugh as it seemed like a rude assumption.

My grandmother was never the same after organ damage from a colonoscopy. I was nervous when I had one , but they assured me all would be well. The worst part was trying to get home as quickly as possible. xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

Italians tend to be a bit histrionic but I fear she underestimates how bad Covid was here - they weren't in hospital for fun believe me. It can be quite funny in A&E late at night during the tourist season - stuff their faces with local food which is quite heavy and then rush to A&E because they are sure it is a heart attack. And in the summer they all turn up at the local hospital demanding full bloods and a health check because they don't pay as much here and are entitled to use our system. I don't mind the paucity of pain relief for procedures - saves the bother of a GA.

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

I think she did underestimate the severity of Covid in Italy, she’s from the South .

The only Country where I’ve read about evidence of Covid in the sewerage system, is Italy.

It’s a wonderful Country, you must enjoy the little foibles .

We must appear quite cold and prickly in comparison.

We met an Italian couple on holiday several years ago, they were very friendly, the husband wanted to start a business venture with my husband after chatting for 2 days after hotel dinner .

My immediate reaction was “let’s avoid them now “. Typical Brit response, but we didn’t know them .

I do agree, I’d try anything, within reason, to avoid a GA . xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

The south got away very lightly last year - got a lot worse in the later spikes. I live right up in the north, we got away lightly first time round, it was a lot worse this last time and the local autonomic government were a bit London-ish and delayed taking decisions. Same sense of exceptionalism I think. I think anywhere that had fewer problems a year ago got complacent - and that was what caused this lot. But the Rome government also cottoned on to the mistakes - at least, Draghi has.

Where we live has the best of everything though - not too hot, not too cold usually, the flair of Italy and the discipline of the Germanics ... Wonderful food and wine - what else could you want

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

I do agree , those with lower incidence must have become complacent . Hope they’re getting it back under control . I heard some European Countries are going into lockdown again.

I do wish the government would heed the science . Pre Christmas was unforgivable until the 11th hour, when they backtracked again due to the Kent variant .

It sounds idyllic where you live .

Italian food is probably the finest in the world. 🤗

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

We are in lockdown for the weekend and a lot of Italy is a red zone anyway until the end of April after already having completed a month. The figures have gone down from over 800 a day to 100-150 a day but have stopped falling again - and today there were groups out "walking for freedom". I say let them catch it and see how their freedom serves them ...

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

Oh gosh , some people are so selfish, or have the , “ it won’t happen to me “, mindset .

It’s good news the figures have gone down , but worrying they’ve stopped now .

Due to thoughtlessness by others .

They’re doing the same here . Someone said we can’t live our lives in fear . I thought you’d know fear if you caught it.

Stay safe . x

[Temeraire]

Just a thought. Its worth ruling out diabetes as quite often repeated uti’s can be an indication. Probably not but something to check out. Best wishes.

[2013mayo in reply to Temeraire]

Hi, No I had my bloods done recently and doc said no diabetes, I really don’t know what’s causing it.

Xx

[Jackoh]

I did have quite a bad run of UTIs a couple of years ago and the antibiotics I had gave me a very bad reaction. So since then I have taken one teaspoon of D Mannose powder in a small amount of water every night just before bed. I also test with the urine strips immediately I start to feel uncomfortable or frequently need to urinate. I’ve caught a couple of infections like that very early on and then I take quite a few doses of D mannose for a couple of days and that seems to clear it, but I imagine it’s because I have caught it in its very early stages. Hope this soon clears up for you, it can be quite lowering. X💐

[2013mayo in reply to Jackoh]

Thank you, will try it. It’s such a pain, so irritating in so many ways, if you know what I mean.💐☘️

[Jackoh in reply to 2013mayo]

Get the powder not the tablets then you can increase it easily if you need to. X💐

[autumnlass]

Hello and Happy Easter 🐣 to you all.

Coincidentally I have UTI at the moment! Until I was able to chat with the practice nurse who prescribed Nitrofurodantin for me, I took Nettle Leaf tablets and Nettle tea, which does mitigate the horrid symptoms of the UTI.

This infection had occurred only about a month from the last one and was much more aggressive when it started as well. Hope you’re feeling better now. 💐🍂

[2013mayo]

Thank you, I’ve only just come back from chemist, couldn’t get d mannose but bought cranberry tabs, the funny thing is I looked at the nettle tabs, for some unknown reason I was curious about them, should of gone with my instinct and bought them.

Hope yours get better soon, I’m still battling on 🙁.

Happy Easter 🌻🌈💐

[Greensleeves in reply to 2013mayo]

I’ve read conflicting reviews on cranberry juice and tablets.

I think they’re helpful as a preventative.

The lady who owns the D’Mannose Sweet Cures company will offer advice if you email them. She advised me one time to drink some neat lemon barley to alkalise urine . It did help too .

Do ring out of hours if you’re suffering and they can fax a different prescription for you.

Take care xx

[Greensleeves in reply to Greensleeves]

sweet-cures.com/about/

[2013mayo in reply to Greensleeves]

Oh bless you, yes I’m having mega problems but won’t bother them over Easter, I’ll email Monday or Tuesday . I’m phoning my doc tues as I can’t tolerate this much longer.💐

[Greensleeves in reply to 2013mayo]

Oh dear I can’t bear you suffering. The out of hours deal with uti infections at weekends and bank holidays.

It wouldn’t bother them one bit , and you wouldn’t be a nuisance, UTI’s need treatment .

You’d probably speak to a nurse prescriber and she’d write you another prescription.

There are other antibiotics to try if you’re allergic to penicillin.

If there’s horrible stinging or burning lemon juice really helps . Orange juice makes it worse .

Big hugs to you xx

[autumnlass]

Cranberry tablets are okay, but nettle tablets did stop frequency, painful micturition, and abdominal pain. I’m sure you can buy D- Mannose from the hugest online retailer in the world! Hope this gets sorted for you very soon. It’s really unpleasant and at Easter as well. 🐣🌈💐xx

[2013mayo]

Thank you