Hi Natalie,

I went to the clinic for my third rx of antibiotics, and the test came back "normal". I knew I wasn't normal though. They sent it away for a culture this time (normally it's just the quick kind of test, but since this was my third time in ... and had been treated twice before). It came back as a "low grade infection". Not sure what that means exactly, but at least they knew what the bacteria was from doing a proper culture this time, and could give me the best drug for it. I think the results from the culture took 3 days.

All up, it took 1X three day rx, and 2X ten day rx's to clear up the infection fully.

As far as Tysabri, I would think they would need this information (about the UTI) to make this decision. Would you normally call your neuro to find that out?

The drug you are taking is part of the Tetracycline family, and normally not rx'd for UTI's. Perhaps it could affect HOW sick you got from the UTI (ie. perhaps it might help a little), but the proper culture will still show any low grade infection (not necessarily the quick test though).

It may instead be a neurogenic bladder problem, but I guess you have to wait for the results from the UTI to see if that's what it might be instead.

Even with the right drug, it usually takes me a min of 5 days before I start feeling better with a UTI. I don't use Cipro (my doc doesn't rx for people with MS), but that is the drug that seems to work best/quickest for me.

Cherie