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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent UTI Despite Medication
Question: Hello, I would really appreciate if you could please advise what can/should I do, please see my story below:
I had UTI last December( 9 months ago) which was very bad, there was a lot of blood in the urine and pain and I was admitted to hospital for few days. I was treated with Ampicilin antibiotic for 10 days. However I still had some discomfort when urinating even when I finished the antibiotic. In February symptoms got worse and my doctor prescribed me Trimothoprim antibiotic for 5 days. It got better but I still could fill the discomfort after urinating and was quiet frequent although I was drinking plenty of water and this may have been the reason for frequency.
I started experiencing other symptoms like vaginal discharge etc. so I went to gyneacologist, he prescribed Doxyciclin for 3 days, but I didn't feel any better. So then I did vaginal swab test which showed presence of enterococcus and e. Coli bacteria and sensitivity to antibiotic, it was sensitive to ciprofoxadin(but I'm allergic to it) and amoxicyclin and Septra. I was prescribed both antibiotics- amoxicyclin-7days and Septra-7days as per swab results as each bacteria was sensitive to different antibiotic. This was already mid May.
I finished both antibiotics at the end of May, completely sick as my stomach just couldn't take any more tablets.
This was the first when I didn't have any UTI symptoms and I was very happy it's all over.
I repeated swab test 10 days after finishing antibiotic and it was all clear, no bacteria.
I went on holiday of XXXXXXX was swimming in the didn't take any vitamins etc.
And when I came back from holiday first week of July I started to have UTI symptoms again which was worse everyday. My doctor did urine test and it showed the infection so he prescribed Nitrofurantoin for 7 days. I also started taking cranberry supplements, but even after finishing the course of antibiotics I still had symptoms but at least it wasn't getting worse. I didn't go to the doctor again as I couldn't take any more tablets, while taking these I lost 5kg which is a lot for me, as I'm under weight now-47kg.
I changed my diet- eating lots of fruits and veg and drinking plenty of fluids, taking vitamins and cranberry supplements.
I bought urinary test sticks and started doing test every week, it was showing infection after taking Nitrofurantoin- moderate leukocyte, a month later in August it was showing trace if leukocyte in urine. And now already a month it shows normal- no leukocyte, no nitrite etc. Although I have to say that from time to time I fill slight discomfort after urinating, but it could be discomfort in the morning and then completely fine, with no symptoms after urinating.
So my question is, I did blood test and urine culture few days ago. It shows slightly higher than norm Bilirubin, and my urine culture result shows "Heavy growth of enterococcus species, sensitive to Ciprofoxatin, Amoxicillin and Nitrofurantoin" .
So I'm confused now, what should I do. What if I leave it as it is? Should go the doctor and get the antibiotics? What antibiotic should I get? My body and immune system is so weak now I'm just afraid to make it even worse. Should I do a swab test too?
Also, I'm trying to get pregnant and wondering what would be the best option for me?
Is it possible that this bacteria will dissapear itself the same way it appeared?
Also, what should have been done to prevent this bacteria from developing again? If I was taking cranberry and maybe something else, would that have helped? And what can I do now to get rid off it and prevent it from developing again.
Thanks very much in advance, looking forward to hear from you soonest.
Best Regards, XXXXXXX
I had UTI last December( 9 months ago) which was very bad, there was a lot of blood in the urine and pain and I was admitted to hospital for few days. I was treated with Ampicilin antibiotic for 10 days. However I still had some discomfort when urinating even when I finished the antibiotic. In February symptoms got worse and my doctor prescribed me Trimothoprim antibiotic for 5 days. It got better but I still could fill the discomfort after urinating and was quiet frequent although I was drinking plenty of water and this may have been the reason for frequency.
I started experiencing other symptoms like vaginal discharge etc. so I went to gyneacologist, he prescribed Doxyciclin for 3 days, but I didn't feel any better. So then I did vaginal swab test which showed presence of enterococcus and e. Coli bacteria and sensitivity to antibiotic, it was sensitive to ciprofoxadin(but I'm allergic to it) and amoxicyclin and Septra. I was prescribed both antibiotics- amoxicyclin-7days and Septra-7days as per swab results as each bacteria was sensitive to different antibiotic. This was already mid May.
I finished both antibiotics at the end of May, completely sick as my stomach just couldn't take any more tablets.
This was the first when I didn't have any UTI symptoms and I was very happy it's all over.
I repeated swab test 10 days after finishing antibiotic and it was all clear, no bacteria.
I went on holiday of XXXXXXX was swimming in the didn't take any vitamins etc.
And when I came back from holiday first week of July I started to have UTI symptoms again which was worse everyday. My doctor did urine test and it showed the infection so he prescribed Nitrofurantoin for 7 days. I also started taking cranberry supplements, but even after finishing the course of antibiotics I still had symptoms but at least it wasn't getting worse. I didn't go to the doctor again as I couldn't take any more tablets, while taking these I lost 5kg which is a lot for me, as I'm under weight now-47kg.
I changed my diet- eating lots of fruits and veg and drinking plenty of fluids, taking vitamins and cranberry supplements.
I bought urinary test sticks and started doing test every week, it was showing infection after taking Nitrofurantoin- moderate leukocyte, a month later in August it was showing trace if leukocyte in urine. And now already a month it shows normal- no leukocyte, no nitrite etc. Although I have to say that from time to time I fill slight discomfort after urinating, but it could be discomfort in the morning and then completely fine, with no symptoms after urinating.
So my question is, I did blood test and urine culture few days ago. It shows slightly higher than norm Bilirubin, and my urine culture result shows "Heavy growth of enterococcus species, sensitive to Ciprofoxatin, Amoxicillin and Nitrofurantoin" .
So I'm confused now, what should I do. What if I leave it as it is? Should go the doctor and get the antibiotics? What antibiotic should I get? My body and immune system is so weak now I'm just afraid to make it even worse. Should I do a swab test too?
Also, I'm trying to get pregnant and wondering what would be the best option for me?
Is it possible that this bacteria will dissapear itself the same way it appeared?
Also, what should have been done to prevent this bacteria from developing again? If I was taking cranberry and maybe something else, would that have helped? And what can I do now to get rid off it and prevent it from developing again.
Thanks very much in advance, looking forward to hear from you soonest.
Best Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Urinary infection must be treated.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist, i can fully understand your concern.
Kindly note the following points.
1. Bacteria never disappear on their own. It must be treated with antibiotic course.
2. Cranberry juice alone won't help in preventing recurrent infections.
3. Maintain good hydration always. Drink 10-12 glasses fluids daily.
4. Also maintain good genital hygiene. Such recurrent infections are common in some women in their sexually active period. So don't worry about it.
Wish you the very best for a successful pregnancy.
Take care.
Urinary infection must be treated.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist, i can fully understand your concern.
Kindly note the following points.
1. Bacteria never disappear on their own. It must be treated with antibiotic course.
2. Cranberry juice alone won't help in preventing recurrent infections.
3. Maintain good hydration always. Drink 10-12 glasses fluids daily.
4. Also maintain good genital hygiene. Such recurrent infections are common in some women in their sexually active period. So don't worry about it.
Wish you the very best for a successful pregnancy.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply.
My worry is that I have already taken so many antibiotics for this with no result as bacteria is still present. I have already taken antibiotics in XXXXXXX based on sensitivity however somehow the bacteria returned or was not fully killed.. I'm just afraid the scenario will repeat.
My gyneacologist suggested that if I don't have symptoms and my basic urine test is normal, I should wait and retest again in a while, maybe when it's 6-12 months from the last antibiotic as overuse of antibiotics destroy vaginal flora and have negative effect on immune system which can result in developing of new bacteria which can be even more difficult to get rid off.
As you mentioned it is not possible that bacteria will be gone by itself, especially when my result is heavy growth, but what else can be done?
Does that mean the bacteria is colonized/not active but can cause an infection any time? And more importantly how can all that affect me getting pregnant and during pregnancy?
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards
XXXXX
My worry is that I have already taken so many antibiotics for this with no result as bacteria is still present. I have already taken antibiotics in XXXXXXX based on sensitivity however somehow the bacteria returned or was not fully killed.. I'm just afraid the scenario will repeat.
My gyneacologist suggested that if I don't have symptoms and my basic urine test is normal, I should wait and retest again in a while, maybe when it's 6-12 months from the last antibiotic as overuse of antibiotics destroy vaginal flora and have negative effect on immune system which can result in developing of new bacteria which can be even more difficult to get rid off.
As you mentioned it is not possible that bacteria will be gone by itself, especially when my result is heavy growth, but what else can be done?
Does that mean the bacteria is colonized/not active but can cause an infection any time? And more importantly how can all that affect me getting pregnant and during pregnancy?
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
Treat UTI while trying for pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Your UTI(urinary infection ), must be treated.
Clearing the infection is mandatory,while you're trying for pregnancy.
Taking a weeks course of antibiotic, doesn't compromise your immunity.
Have a healthy balanced diet, with green vegetables and fresh fruits.
They help to boost immunity in the long term. Exercise also helps a lot.
Don't worry about this one course of culture specific antibiotic.
If you leave the infection (UTI) untreated, it can affect the bladder and even the kidneys, which is a worse condition.
Hope your doubts are cleared.
Wish you well.
Treat UTI while trying for pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Your UTI(urinary infection ), must be treated.
Clearing the infection is mandatory,while you're trying for pregnancy.
Taking a weeks course of antibiotic, doesn't compromise your immunity.
Have a healthy balanced diet, with green vegetables and fresh fruits.
They help to boost immunity in the long term. Exercise also helps a lot.
Don't worry about this one course of culture specific antibiotic.
If you leave the infection (UTI) untreated, it can affect the bladder and even the kidneys, which is a worse condition.
Hope your doubts are cleared.
Wish you well.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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