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 )

RW, I am not a doctor but more than likely your Ok if it's been this way for years. Dark urine is usually a sign of not getting enough fluids but some foods, meds, suppliments can cause it too. Jim has darker urine but it's from the macrobid.

Hope that helped.

Natalie,

Sorry to hear you are going through this!

My advice about your Tysabri infusion is the same as everyone else's. Tell the nurses what you have been through and the results. Have your doc fax the results over. The infusion center will talk to your neuro and he will have the final say.

Don't take chances with your health for your infusion. You can have it later if nothing is wrong. Get whatever is going on diagnosed and cleared up. It may be neurogenic bladder. It may be something else entirely. Figure out what it is and don't worry about being a few days late on the infusion. Worry about your kidneys first.

Peeing is a BIG DEAL!

RW, in your case, it's all that rum and coke. I wouldn't worry about it!!!

As Sandy said, dark urine usually means not enough fluids. But you drink like a horse so it's got to be something else. If you have regular UA's and no one has said anything, then you're probably ok...but with you? Who knows!!!