fear of who knows what!

[Fiddlemum]

suffered a few uti’s while having PmR. Down to 7 mg predand managing physically. My brain , however…..!! Being sent for cystoscopy. I’m 63.was taking aspirin - unwise , I know, but it works better than paracetamol. Ended up with uti and blood in urine. Of course , I have myself dead and buried. Couple of weeks till procedure , so I need to forget about it till then. Any reassurance gratefully received. Somehow I imagine all sorts and even doubt PMR diagnosis despite having initial raised CRP and ESR and the classic stiffness etc that goes with it. Was diagnosed initially December 21.

[SheffieldJane]

you are not the only one Fiddlemum. I have personally had so many tests, mainly because my Rheumatologist is very thorough and leaves no stone unturned. It is easy to let the imagination run away with you when you have strange symptoms. I have also had UTIs in what feels like every other week and traces of blood were found in my urine. I think the condition we have and the medication we take is pretty harsh on bladder and bowel. I haven’t had a cystoscopy yet, but a bit more complaining and they’ll do it. Good luck with it, I hope it’s not too bad. I have had a catheter during labour and imagine it’s like that, never as bad as you think.I’ve recently had a colonoscopy that has done nothing to explain the source of my lower abdominal pain which remains a sharp worry that all is not well. Let us know how you go at least we are being taken seriously. Good luck. X

[Seacat30]

They found blood in my urine by chance at my first rheumatology appointment. I was referred to Urology. After lots of delays I had a cystoscopy and ultrasound. Apart from waiting with a full bladder neither were awful experiences. They found nothing to explain the traces of blood. Apparently it is quite common.

[Janstr]

The cystoscopy procedure is nothing to worry about. It’s completely painless & over with very quickly.

[Kendrew]

Hi Fiddlemum,

It's not difficult to feel anxious and concerned about the many different aches, pains, side effects and symptoms that can be experienced both with the condition and the medication. Most of us here will experience those same concerns at some point.

Others with more knowledge will be along, but as far as I'm aware, my nursing experience tells me that neither prednisolone nor aspirin can in themselves be the cause of a UTI. (However, they can both irritate the stomach & gut, particularly if taken together.)

Prednisolone surpresses your immune system and therefore makes you much more susceptible to developing any sort of infection, including a UTI, and according to some research, aspirin may in some instances further aggravate a UTI that's already present.

I think there are quite a few of us who've suffered from increased UTI's since taking pred and it seems to be fairly common.

It's also fairly common, and normal, to find blood in the urine whilst suffering with a UTI. This is because the bacteria causing the infection also causes inflammation and irritation to the cells lining the urinary tract thus causing them to bleed. Its happened to me several times.

I'm not a doctor and therefore can't diagnose the aetiology of your own symptoms, but I can say that it's so very easy to convince ourselves that the cause of a set of symptoms is something so much worse than it actually is! Invariably our 'worst fears' are almost always allayed though.

Try not to worry as it's far more likely that your cystoscopy will show 'no abnormal defects'.

Let us know how you get on.

[Fiddlemum in reply to Kendrew]

thank you so much for that!!! It’s my stinking thinking that gets me every time! Instead of being grateful that an appointment has come in so quickly I manage to convince myself it’s for some dramatic reason. I’ve always been like this but since having PMR I’ve struggled with my thoughts even more 🤪.

I really appreciate your response- thank you. 💝

[Seacat30 in reply to Fiddlemum]

I believe that Urology is meant to deal with your referral within 2 weeks if you are over 60. I was younger so made to wait longer. My slightly older friend got seen faster.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Blood in urine is a common finding in UTIs - especially severe ones. Are the UTIs confirmed by urine cultures or just the dip tests? Both PMR and pred can cause the symptoms of a UTI even without bacteria being present by causing interstitial cystitis.

Pred makes you more likely to have a UTI because it damps the immune response to the bacteria and they persist. If you don't clear out the first one properly with abx, then they get going again and you have repeated infections. One problem is that the bacteria can "hide" in the wall of the bladder and escape the abx - using D-mannose can help with that . It is the effective substance in cranberry juice but far better to buy it as a supplement and take is in a more concentrated way.

The cystoscopy is fine - and you know they have looked properly. I have them about every 10 years. Something that contributes to bladder problems is it not emptying properly with stale urine encouraging bacterial growth. PMR probably worsens that effect, I also have a narrowing of the urethra and they found that nearly 40 years ago - hence the repeated scopes. They give it a bit of a stretch and I'm good for another 10 years.

[jaycee444]

I had a similar problem several years ago after taking regular ibuprofen for sciatica. always felt like a UTI but no infection showed up - just blood. Once ibuprofen was discontinued the bleeding stopped but it did take a little while.

[Fiddlemum in reply to jaycee444]

thanks for sharing that. I also had issues when taking ibuprofen-

[Magictherabbit]

Hi Fiddlemum

Earlier in the year I had several months of repeated urine infections and many courses of antibiotics. I am currently on 5 mgs of pred and also the same age as you . My GP asked me to try taking an oestrogen pessary because she thinks it may be caused by menopausal symptoms rather than by prednisolone.

I have had one infection since using the pessaries but also feel that they are helping .

[Fiddlemum in reply to Magictherabbit]

hi- just a wee question. How often do you use oestrogen pessarries. I’ve been told twice a week but sometimes feel I’d like to be able to use it slightly more frequently.

[Fiddlemum]

that’s the same as me. Had infection- sent for vag Scan- got 5mg pessarries too. Have helped. That’s the first infection since then- but ther was blood in 1st sample - so heading for kidney ultrasound and cystoscopy- and urology doc appointment. 2nd sample was clear 🤷‍♀️- must be my age …..😱

[borednow]

After several months of UTIs and constant repeat prescriptions of antibiotics, I was finally told to book myself in with a specialist. List of private hospitals working with the NHS duly handed over so I opted for our local BUPA. Fantastic specialist who arranged a cystoscopy within 2 weeks. Private en-suite room, running commentary throughout procedure and the very large screen was placed at the side of the table so I've seen parts of my body I thought I would never see! Tea and biscuits and a rest afterwards and I went home. Procedure totally painless and all was OK. I wish you well.

[Hunter134]

No need to worry about the cytoscopy.I had one last Monday and I like you thought I was dying.The urologist finally found the bacteria causing my uti aft three months of different antibiotics that didnt work.I had blood in urine and protein in my urine.I was so bad I could hardly walk.Iam now on mire antibiotics and praying they work.Good luck but you ll be fine❤️

[Hunter134]

Cytoscopy was a piece of cake!!!!I was terrified but it was so quick.At mist it took ten minutes.