What Causes Urinary Retention, Pain In Back And Genital Area?

Posted on Thu, 31 Mar 2016

Question: Male age 45 to 48, hasn't been able to urinate 'regular' for over 2 weeks, he is in so much pain today, doesn't want to get out of bed, hurts in the area in the back......he has been taking in fluids, but very little come out, now its starting to hurt in the genital area when he does go......only a trickle here and there. went to Urgent care, and they gave him antibiotics. I'm thinking bladder infection and/or urinary tract infection, but fear it could be something worse.....prostate??? Should I get Him some Azo and see if that helps? He's a friend and don't want to give him something that would make it worse, ya know?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This is what I think would be best for him at the moment

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Yes, a UTI or bladder infection is quite likely and the antibiotics should help with that (results can be seen within 48 hours).

But as you suggested a prostate issue is also possible and only an ultrasound would help to confirm/rue this out at the earliest, so you can ask your friend to request for one. But, azo (azithromycin) is also an antibiotic, and will not help if it is a prostate issue. And it would also be best to avoid giving him and antibiotics (e.g. azo) blindly. So it would be best for us to do the following for him:

+Drink fluids as tolerate
+Take the antibiotics prescribed
+Try and get either a DRE (digital rectal examination) to be conducted by a doctor or an ultrasound of the prostate region
+Urine culture and sensitivity examination: This investigation helps confirm the infection, and also provide us with information on the most effective antibiotics that can be used. But it usually takes about 48 hours to report a result, so it would be best to conduct this as early as possible
+Cranberry juice as tolerate (helps in reducing symptoms of a UTI)

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please do not hesitate to write to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)

Hello Dr XXXXXXX and yes, I understood everything you said.....so did he (Donnie),........I am Diana, his friend. When he went to Urgent Care on Tues. this week, they prescribed Bactrim (?), then another Dr he saw yesterday told him no more Bactrim and prescribed another antibiotic that's stronger, starts with a 'C' I think, and 'Flomax'. there is no discoloration in the urine now, the other day he said it was kind of pink.......he has urgency, and is going a little more. I got him some cranberry juice which he is drinking. he told me he just found out his ex girlfriend possibly has climitis (spelling??)climitus? can you figure out what I'm trying to say there? he said they haven't been 'together' inover 5 months so.........? I read him the answer you gave earlier, so as soon as the pain eases up a little, I'm sure he'll have that done. I guess I don't really have a question, per say, guess I'm just worried and babbling!!!! I thank you so much for your kind words and invaluable information, it is very much appreciated!! Diana F

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Oh please do not worry about saying anything to me

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX

'C' for may be ciprofloxacin; and flomax helps with urine flow in patients who have an enlarged prostate.

The pinkish urine indicates blood in the urine, which is also associated with an enlarged prostate. If he is successfully passing urine now without much trouble, then the flomax seems to be helping him.

I am sorry, I do not really now what you are trying to refer to when you talk about clematis? Could you explain its symptoms to me?

I am here to listen to you, and you are not babbling so please do not apologise for anything. But do ask Donnie to keep in touch with me, so I can help and guide him through this. But based on your second response, it does seem like his primary and only problem is his prostate, and an ultrasound is surely in order along with a PSA serum test.

Best wishes.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar