[Friend2U]

The nurse as the clinic yesterday mentioned this showed up. I didn't see a doctor. This was routine urine/blood work. They will be sending results to the neuro.

I recall someone mentioning risks for MS of having an infection, but what are the risks ???

Thanks!

[lady_express_44]

Don't leave infection untreated, friend:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread47795.html

I took my three days of pills, and by the third day they were working well. The burning in my legs had let up, and I had I voided a proper stream. Within about 3 days of that, the symptoms started to come back on (both MS and bladder infection symptoms), so I went back to the doctor yesterday and got a further 5 days of treatment.

My pharmacist said the lesson to learn is to ask for 5 or 7 days of treatment from the get-go, if I ever have another UTI. I'm not sure if I need to really, or if this infection was just particularly stubborn.

You've had some extra MS symptoms lately too, haven't you? This might explain things.

Cherie

[Twinkletoes]

Friend, I'm glad you asked that question. I wasn't aware that we were more prone to infections.

Lady has given you some good info. I hope you are able to get things under control very quickly.

[Friend2U]

Cherie,
What kind of (5-7 days) pills are you referring to?

Yes, I have been having some other ms symtoms lately. It probably does explain things. I'm trying to get to know my body better. My dx is still new enough that I just don't have it all sorted out yet. I guess, fortunate or not, I will get smarter with this in the months and years to come!

Hopefully the infection is just slight and can be gotten under control pretty easily.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by lady_express_44

Don't leave infection untreated, friend:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread47795.html

I took my three days of pills, and by the third day they were working well. The burning in my legs had let up, and I had I voided a proper stream. Within about 3 days of that, the symptoms started to come back on (both MS and bladder infection symptoms), so I went back to the doctor yesterday and got a further 5 days of treatment.

My pharmacist said the lesson to learn is to ask for 5 or 7 days of treatment from the get-go, if I ever have another UTI. I'm not sure if I need to really, or if this infection was just particularly stubborn.

You've had some extra MS symptoms lately too, haven't you? This might explain things.

Cherie

Rochelle,

So, I'm not the only one who doesn't always know what is going on with myself?? Oh well, I'm in good company!!!
Thank you!

[lady_express_44]

Originally Posted by Twinkletoes

Friend, I'm glad you asked that question. I wasn't aware that we were more prone to infections.

I'm not sure that we are more "prone" to infections, although it may make sense that we are, but we can have more problems as a result of any infection we do get:

"An infection with an increase of body temperature of 1 to 2 degress Celsius can also create a pseudo-exacerbation. An infection might also have an impact on the immune system, therefore triggering a real relapse, especially if not treated in time. The most common type of infection in people affected by MS is probably bladder infection, but any kind of infection can cause problem (ear infection, cold, flu, skin infection, etc.)"

Page 4:
http://www.mswatch.ca/ContentRoot/Ed...ry/Relapse.pdf

Some studies that have been done on this subject:
http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/news/A...SRelapses.html

Originally Posted by Friend2U

Cherie,
What kind of (5-7 days) pills are you referring to?

Yes, I have been having some other ms symtoms lately. It probably does explain things. I'm trying to get to know my body better. My dx is still new enough that I just don't have it all sorted out yet. I guess, fortunate or not, I will get smarter with this in the months and years to come!

Hopefully the infection is just slight and can be gotten under control pretty easily.

Thanks!

Rochelle,

So, I'm not the only one who doesn't always know what is going on with myself?? Oh well, I'm in good company!!!
Thank you!

The med I was put on, first for 3 days, then for 5 more, is Nitrofurantoin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrofurantoin

I used to be able to tell when I had a bladder infection, and the MS symptoms didn't come on until (if I left the infection too long, and) I was already in a full-blown attack.

Now I get the MS symptoms first, it seems, with no glaring sign of infection. I guess that's what I have to watch for . . . a change in MS symptoms.

I think I turned a corner in 2007, with that untreated tooth infection, and I don't know my body as well as I used to any more. I too am having difficulty knowing when I need to get checked out, but after this bladder experience, I think I learned some things.

Cherie

[Twinkletoes]

Originally Posted by Friend2U

Rochelle,

So, I'm not the only one who doesn't always know what is going on with myself?? Oh well, I'm in good company!!!
Thank you!

[Becky21]

I just had a suspicious UA about 3 weeks ago. My PCP didn't want to add another med to the group I am already taking.

I know I am very dehydrated since I have been on Avonex so we decided to see if drinking a lot of water would flush out my system. I was told that it was very important to keep hydrated while on Avonex because of UTI's.

I had a retest last week and it came back normal. I am always thirsty and drink water all day and evening. Between Avonex and hot flashes, it's amazing I have any water in my system at all. I started back on hormones because I could not tolerate the hot flashes and the heat. I also have hot flashes on shot day and the day after.

[kicker]

UTI's need to be tested to see what is causing them. Different antibiotics may be prescribed. I know I have a UTI due to increased need to urinate and sometimes I'm just not sure. Drugstore sells a test (XO) and it says it tests in two directions. If Positive shows, see your PCP. Different antibiotics for different things and don't stop because you're feeling good. Complete the course. (I am not a doctor nor do I play one on television)

[Dejibo]

My MD sez...

As MS patients we as a group tend to have more urinary retention. Urine that sits tends to be more easily infected than urine that moves on through. With spastic issues, sometimes the ureters can prevent urine from leaving the kidneys properly, and then once it finally reaches the bladder, it is already stagnant. Since we tend to have muscle trouble (bladder is a muscle) we either go too much and pee our pants, if we dont control the opening, or we go too little and the already stagnant urine is quick to become infected.

Now, if this is true I dont know, but it sounded good. He went to alot of years of medical school so he could describe pee pee trouble to me.