UTI, OR SOMETHING ELSE?

[tmar4949]

I'm new to these forums, and this is my first post. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me. I'm a 69 year old woman. Last week, I woke up during the night from low pelvic cramping. The next day, I felt like I was getting the start of a UTI (I've had them before). I went to Urgent Care, where they did the usual urine dipstick & culture. The dipstick showed elevated leukocytes, but negative nitrates, & slightly cloudy urine. They told me it is suggestive of a UTI & started me on generic Macrobid. They said they will have the culture report back in a day or two. By day 2 on the antibiotic, I felt better, but was still having mild on-and-off cramping. At this point, I got severe diarrhea from the medication. That same day, I got a call from the Urgent Care that the culture came back as negative for bacteria & to stop the medication. I then called my primary care doctor. They gave me two appointments: one in two more days from now for another urine test, and another for next week to discuss results with the doctor. I've been patiently waiting for my scheduled appointments, but last night I was awaken by heavy pelvic cramping again. Had to get up & take a Tylenol. I slept on and off from there.

I might add that I have no other symptoms, and no fever. But I feel so horrible, and have lost the desire to eat. I'm not sure if I can go through two more nights like this, but don't know what else to do.

I'm driving myself crazy thinking it might not be a bladder issue at all, even though the dipstick test shows something going on.

Has anyone else ever had anything like this? Any suggestions would be so helpful to me right now, as I am very upset. Thank you all.

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

😏 I’m so sorry this is dragging on for you. I’m similar age ( post menopause) and I’ve had several bladder issues myself in the past, prior to menopause and after. I absolutely dread it occurring. Each time testing has come back negative, it’s so frustrating. When my ‘spasms’ occur, I literally can’t move because the pain is so bad, I just have to wait until it subsides. The thing is, for me it’s always been investigated as a bladder problem.... but it may very well not be. Would you say your pain is more suggestive of a period pain 🤔 When you go for the test, which will probably be with the practice nurse ( unless you just have to hand a sample in), tell her exactly how this is affecting you, how much pain it’s causing and how difficult it is to cope with.

In the meantime, just in case, cut down on acids, drink plenty of water and take painkillers. I sincerely hope this clears up soon 🙂 xB

[tmar4949 in reply to wobblybee]

Thank you wobblybee for your kind words. Yes, the pain feels exactly like period cramps. Very mild, on & off, during the day, but when I lay down at night, they get worse. I never had this before with my previous UTIs. Since the urine culture I took last week came back as negative, they don't think it is a bladder issue. But, my urine has been slightly cloudy, and the dip-stick suggested infection (high leukocytes). So, I'm having a second test done in a couple of days. When I see the doctor after that, I think she wants to do a pelvic exam also. I will definitely post where this goes when I finally get a diagnosis.

[jacrjacr in reply to tmar4949]

did you find out what the problem was....there is something in menopause that has all the symptoms of uti but not be a uti. I am going to dr tomorrow for test of lower pelvic discomfort and sleeping on left side is more uncomfortable for some reason and having a lot of belching when this all started...weird...

[tmar4949 in reply to jacrjacr]

The doctor actually ended up doing a vaginal smear and said the cramping wasn't from the bladder, but was from the vagina. They said it was a vaginal infection. But that still didn't address the issue of having abnormal urine tests. After several months of using a vaginal gel, I started intermittently urinating blood.... a lot of it! It would stop, then start again. Finally, I was referred to a Urologist. Two days ago, I had a Cystoscopy done. They found nothing abnormal and no reason for my urinating blood. Now, I'm scheduled for a Sonogram of my kidneys. So, we still have no answers, but I no longer have cramping. I'm absolutely disgusted with all of this.

[jacrjacr in reply to tmar4949]

oh prayers...keep us updated.....hope this will end up being resolved as something simple.....and easy to heal .....prayers for healing, comfort , peace, restoration, and no pain

[tmar4949 in reply to jacrjacr]

Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. I will definitely post an update when I finally get some answers.