[marion06095]

I am having symptoms that may or may not be MS related and I'm not sure who to call. For the past two years or so, I have gotten a Urinary Tract Infection three or four times a year. When it started, I would call my primary care physician and tell her that I had a UTI, and she’d phone in an Rx. Once I went to the CVS walk-in clinic, and they tested my urine and I also got an Rx. Last year I discovered that there is an over-the-counter test for UTI, so when I started having symptoms I bought one, and it said I didn’t have a UTI. In fact I did the test twice on consecutive days to be sure. So I called my Neurologist, and he set me up with an appointment with an Urologist. Meanwhile, of course, the symptoms subsided until now. My symptoms are the same; sudden urgency, discomfort immediately after voiding, etc. The UTI test says I don’t have an infection, but this time I can see blood in the urine. Not a color change in the urine, but little red tendrils and wisps that are blood colored. So here is my question: Do I call my primary care physician, call my MS doctor, or call the urologist who will be testing me in a little over a month. Or should I just wait for it to go away, and mention it to the Urologist when I go for that bladder test?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[karilann]

I would fax the information you just stated to us to your Primary Doc. Let him/her decide if you need to speak to the MS doc or urologist. These things should be dealt with right away and I would not just wait for it to go away. Better safe than sorry even if the GP gets you an antibiotic before you see the urologist.

[Blessings2You]

I agree. Definitely do NOT just wait for it to go away. Do NOT.

[marion06095]

Today I have no bladder infection symptoms whatsoever (go figure!). I called the Urologist’s office this morning and told the nurse what has happened. After talking to the Doctor, they said that it sounds like I may have passed a stone. The stone was probably big enough to cause the blood in the urine, but not big enough to feel it when it passed. She said to call if it happens again and that the Doctor will see me early. I am relieved

[FaithS]

Sounds like you might have your problem solved, this time. However, for the future, my advice would be to call your primary physician if you suspect a UTI.

My PCP does not believe that OTC UTI tests are accurate. The other thing to keep in mind is that UTI's can trigger MS-like symptoms, or, can even trigger a flare. In my case, they almost always trigger a flare, even when caught and treated early.

I'm glad that things seemed to have worked out for you, but, because of my hx w/ UTI's, both me and my physicians take them seriously. (I generally also end up calling my neurologist, as the UTI, even after being treated, triggers an MS flare that requires steroids and often hsoptilization!)

~ Faith

[SandyC]

If you see the urologist on a regular basis I would call them. That's what we did until Jim's UTI's were under control. And for future reference, a clean UA doesn't always mean no bacteria. Jim has had several clean UA's but the culture grew bacteria. We think it may be because the bacteria is colonized but one can never be sure. Blood is not good in the urine but since your fine, no fever and such that is a relief.

Let us know how the appointment goes! Jim has a spastic bladder and takes Oxybutinin.

[Lady]

Marion, if you can go to a female Urologist I think it is better, JMO. I went to a few male ones and they have very few female patients. They have their nurses give the tests/

There are some GYN/Urologists too that can be male. They are fine because they understand us better (tee hee).

Maybe it's just me, but one male doctor said he didn't know much about my situation. At least he was honest. He sent me to the hospital to have Urodynamics testing done by a female. He does the males in his office facilities.

Sometimes my bladder gets so full it goes into spasms, with pain at the end. Also I have had small stones pass, but with no visible blood. They can tear and infection by germs entering the tear can cause a UTI. Or you may need a urine culture, which takes up to 10 days for the bacteria to grow in a Petri dish.

When in doubt, check it out.

If on the weekend, do a store bought test. You can go to the ER is it gets painful. Do you drink plenty of water? Perhaps take cranberry pills? That helps for prevention.

Let us know how you make out with the doctor. Feel better soon