change of mind from GP on blood in urine and possible UTI.

[gillsky8]

Messaged via e consult to GP and she has had change of mind prescribing Fosfomycin one sachet for UTI.

However then had another message to say that she had decided to also prescribe Nitrofurantoin capsules, (antibiotics ) for one month.

Interesting change of mind relating to the blood in urine.

Not sure about the long term use of antibiotics.

re-test for blood in urine, in 2 weeks, though she said was only small trace Now feeling more happy that this is likely to have been caused by UTI for sure the steroids could also be to blame for this.

Reduced to 9,g now and touch wood going well.

[SnazzyD]

Sorry, did you say at some point whether the GP had had your urine sent for culture and sensitivity?

[gillsky8 in reply to SnazzyD]

No not that I am aware of apparently there were just some very small traces of blood in the urine sample, which were confirmed when sent for testing. .

[SnazzyD in reply to gillsky8]

I’m not sure I’d want a month of antibiotics without a proven infection and at least some idea what the bug (if any) was sensitive to because of resistance in UTI’s. I know chronic infection can show up negative but even so.

[gillsky8 in reply to SnazzyD]

I think I will go with antibiotics for 9 days and then take in the repeat urine sample as requested and go from there.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

"Not sure about the long term use of antibiotics."

It is a common means of dealing with repeated UTIs - and actually safer than not since repeated UTIs encourages the development of resistant bugs, If you kill them all off properly that is less likely to happen. but like Snazzy, I would want a proven bacterial infection before taking a month's worth.

[random901]

Hi gillsky! On my 3rd UTI this year. Currently on 12.5 pred. Blood in urine specimen yesterday. It's been sent off for further analysis. 3-day course of antibiotics then repeat specimen test in 2 weeks. Delayed this course of action for weeks in hope of avoiding antibiotics and drinking more to try flush things out but the frequency was getting worse as was my fatigue & irritability! I think there are a lot of us out there with this problem!

[gillsky8 in reply to random901]

so it would appear to be a common problem then . I had not had a urine sample for goodness knows how long and this is the first instance of any blood in the specimen.

[Ballerina75]

I’ve also had UTI problems while on steroids- I take a low dose antibiotic every night Nitrofurantoin has been great but beware of taking it for too long as I’ve ended up with Neuropathy in my feet which is very painful.

Good luck.

[gillsky8 in reply to Ballerina75]

OK thanks for that, this seems to be his intention for prescribing it as well due to recurring UTI's going to try it for a couple of weeks and then get the urine sample done again and have a review with the GP.

Can I also ask what dose of steroids you are on please, and for how long you have been taking them. This seems to have been an issue from the word go for me. !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to gillsky8]

Was it also a problem pre-pred - PMR caused me to have problem long before it was diagnosed and treated with pred.

[Bramble2000]

Hi, get yourself some Zoe gut shots or equivalent to restore your microbiome. Might help to counteract the effect of the A/B’s. X