uti infection

[lennysmummy]

Hi I have been on antibiotics for a uti, first one didn’t do anything now on trimethoprim. I know steroids make it hard sometimes to fight off infections but how long am I probably looking at? I was on antibiotics in October for a chest infection and it did clear it. Any help appreciated and also something I can put on the vulva to stop the burning after urinating. 🙏

[SnazzyD]

Hello, has your urine been sent for culture and sensitivity to the labs for diagnosis and now after treatment failure? Is the urine stinging the outside then or just the tube?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it is the correct antibiotic, it will sort it out. But if it isn't the right one - it won't. What is beyond them to do a culture is beyond me!!! The symptoms of a UTI can be due to other things so it is important they are sure that bacteria are involved.

Other than a barrier cream suitable for use in that area I can't think of a way to reduce the burning - but as Snazzy says - IS it the outer area that is sore or the tube that takes urine from the bladder to outside? It is unusual for other skin to be affected like that. Have you spoken to the doctor about it?

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Yes he didn’t want to know about the soreness. The culture came back as e Coli. He had to take me off the nitrofurentoin as my blood pressure shot to over 293/110. I’ve tried using sudocrem but not doing much.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lennysmummy]

"he didn’t want to know about the soreness" - well it is his JOB to hear about it. Not good enough.

Is there a nurse at the practice? Though it is now Friday night so unless they are exceptional and work weekends ...

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

God no. It’s got worse at our gp surgery.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lennysmummy]

Like most. Hopefully the abx will start to work soon. Lots of fluids might make it less stingy, just more often. Have you tried drinking some bicarb in water? Some people swear by it for UTI symptoms.

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

I get so worried taking anything anymore. Since being on steroids for 2 years I seem to have developed so many tolerances to food and medication. I will try it, how much on the spoon do I put in. I only drink tea in the am and the rest of the day I am drinking loads of water.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lennysmummy]

myconfidentlife.com/blog/ov....

No 5 is for the bicarb approach, 1/2 to 1 tsp in water. And I forgot to say before - nothing down there except plain water. no soaps, cleansers, wipes, NO chemically things ...

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for that. Very kind and helpful. Just one more question, I am due for my monthly crp and esr bloods on Monday. Will having a uti raise them? 🙏

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lennysmummy]

It will - apparently a UTI has the potential to raise CRP 1000-fold!!!!! It will also send the ESR up too.

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Oh great, my rheumatologist will have a fit. 🤷‍♀️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lennysmummy]

That is why a single raised result for markers without symptoms should NEVER result in a knee jerk panic raising of the pred. Should be checked the next week to see if there is a continuing rising trend.

[lennysmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you x

[SnazzyD in reply to lennysmummy]

E coli can be a b****r with its ability to be resistant. Have you had a blood glucose checked recently? I ask because if you are getting UTI’s and it happens to be stinging on the outside, you may have thrush as well. If you do it may be due to high blood sugars so that needs to be ruled out.

[lennysmummy in reply to SnazzyD]

Does that not show with glucose in urine? I haven’t had my bloods checked for diabetes in over a year. Doesn’t thrush itch though?

[SnazzyD in reply to lennysmummy]

High blood sugar doesn’t necessarily show in a dipstick test and isn’t a reliable test of whether you have diabetes. You should have blood tests done if you are on steroids. You could ask for a HbA1c test that shows the average over 3 months rather than a fasting blood sugar which is only a spot check.

diabetes.org.uk/about-diabe...

If the stinging is on the outside it could be thrush even if it isn’t itchy but it can also be other things. So your doctor should care if you are uncomfortable, not least to try to help you feel more comfortable. However, are you clear in your mind on whether the stinging ins in the tube or on the outside? If it is the tube, keeping the urine dilute is important.

[lennysmummy in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks for that. No it’s the urethra and around the inner fold of the labia. I’ve always suffered with vaginal dryness so it probably doesn’t help. 😬

[powerwalk]

Bababenton was suggested to me as a barriercream for that irritation/ stinging. Or a smear of vaseline is a good barrier. It should subside hopefully when uti clears. Hope you get relief soon.

[lennysmummy in reply to powerwalk]

Thank you.

[Body_bonkers]

Strewth what's wrong with your doctor ! If you're dry it is easily treatable so definitely no need to suffer. You should not be using Sudocrem or Vaseline for intimate areas. Maybe ask pharmacist as there are loads of creams and pessaries available. Local oestrogen like Gina might be option once you get any infection cleared.