Hi all, thanks for the helpful advice. On Wed. I went and peed in the cup (no latex gloves Twink! ). I called this afternoon (Thurs.) to get results and ask for some kind of other antibiotic because the UTI is still annoying enough. The culture has been there for a day and they said no growth yet. But no general urinalysis result available either...seems a bit slow, don't you think for quick general result? I've had doctors check in their office and tell me at the visit before. The nurse said call tomorrow. Also watch to see if I have fever or flank pain--if so, the nurse said go to E.R. immediately. But she said she can't give me an antibiotic because they don't know what kind of bacteria it is. I don't see why they can't give me a broad spectrum one, though, until they figure out what specific bacteria it is?

I'm confused and worried still.
I am still having some symptoms, mostly pain and pressure--pain is coming and going. I'm not peeing as much as before but it doesn't feel like the UTI has completely gone away. Still hard to completely empty bladder sometimes. The nurse I spoke to today said if I'm on nitrofuratoin it may actually kill off enough bacteria so it won't be picked up in the culture. If that happens and general urinalysis test is negative and I still have symptoms she said I should come in and get a full work up and a scan of some sort?? What would that be? But tomorrow is Friday. Can this be done before the weekend? I don't think I can go over the weekend again without something to help. AND I am supposed to get a Tysabri infusion on Monday.

Can I still get the infusion if I'm having some symptoms? I checked my temp. It is 98.2, so no fever.

What should I do? Should I stop taking that Nitrofurantoin since it doesn't seem to be totally working? I'm so mad at myself for letting this go. But I guess it's a learning experience. I've just never had a UTI before without having sex so I wasn't sure what was going on. Next time I will not let it go 1 1/2 weeks.

Oh, one other thing. I am taking 100 mg. of minocycline daily (suddenly developed adult acne which I never had before!!) Would that antibiotic mess up the results? Or keep the UTI from originally starting out in full force and just low grade?

I did take the stuff that makes you pee bright orange to help with pain.

What should I do tomorrow, do you all think??

PS: I've been off the board for a couple of weeks and I have to say I've missed you all! Everyone is always so helpful here.

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

Thanks Cherie! Why doesn't your doc prescribe Cipro for people with MS?

Umm . . . not sure exactly. I've read that any drug ending in "FLOXACIN" can induce relapses in some PwMS, but I don't know if that is why he stopped rxing it. Or, it may be because there is a new blackbox warning on it for causing tendon issues; something I am personally prone to anyway.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/boos...joins-the.html

He used rx it all the time, and it worked VERY well for me . . .

Cherie

Natalie, The times you have been told you had a UTI right then and there would be because it was very obvious in the urine. It sounds like this time that's not the case so the doctor is waiting to see if bacteria will grow. If no bacteria shows more than likely you no longer have a UTI.

Finish all of the med your taking for the UTI. DO NOT stop taking it.

If you do not have a UTI then as LadyExpress said you could be dealing with a neurogenic bladder.

MS can also cause you to have pelvic pain and pressure which feels like you may have a UTI.

August of 2007 I had a UTI. After 2 rounds of antibiotics my urinalysis came up clean but, I was still having pain and pressure. I have undergone numerous tests since then and everytime it comes back to the MS. My pain and pressure is nerve pain.

Make sure your staying hydrated and avoid caffeine.

Hi Natalie. If your urine shows positive for nitrates there is evidence of a UTI. BUT, sometimes your negative but still have bacteria. This is why they are more than likely waiting. Want to know something even more strange? Jim is positive for nitrates and leukocytes and no outward symptoms. He's colonized with ecoli but since he's having no symptoms they are not treating it. He is on Macrobid for prevention of other bacteria though.

It takes three days for a culture to grow. Sometimes earlier if the bacteria is particulary strong.

Hi Sandy and Snoopy, thanks for responding. The culture came back showing normal flora. But I'm still having some symptoms. Weird....just waiting for the nurse to call back as to what to do. My abdomen and back are feeling kind of achy too. Ergh. The aching isn't high up (flank pain)--I know what that is since I had kidney stones 2 years ago--so I don't think it's higher up? or kidney infection? I just wonder if I can have Tysabri on Mon. as well.

Whatever it is I hope they can take care of it. If your ua and culture are normal then it's most likey not a UTI but can show up later. But give it until tomorrow for a full report on the culture.

I don't know about the Ty infusion but would ask after the culture has been cooking for three days.

You'll find out when you go in and the nurse does the questionnaire. Make sure they go over all the stuff and be sure to bring up what you've gone through over the past few days with this urinary stuff. If you have copies of the labs, bring them. If not, see if the docs office can fax them to your infusion center or your neuro prior to your infusion. Never hurts for the doc to have all the information available to him/her before hand.

I hope you feel better soon Natalie!

Hey folks,

Since this thread is labeled "urinary tract infection questions" I have one I need answered.

I have never had a UTI. I have dark urine and have had for years. I drink lots of water and lots of coffee and lots of juice.

I don't have pain, it's not cloudy or off smelling, it's just dark. Does a UTI always have some sort of pain or can one harbor a UTI for years without knowing it?

Just curious... I am not very good at listening to my body unless something is broken or I am going blind and falling down...( and then I get diagnosed with MS for THAT )