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[Jules]

Sorry for this long ramble but I started with lower pelvic pain to each side and lower back ache almost like period pain, no urgency sensation or irritation when urinating. I had those symptoms once before and as the symptoms weren't recognised I ended up in hospital with a really nasty UTI. So I have emergency antibiotics. I started them and saw my GP who did a dip test and said there were leucocytes. I took the antibiotics for 7 days before the pain went. I've just checked my records in the NHS app and the lab found no growth and it says no action. My GP didn't let me know. So I've taken the antibiotics for nothing (maybe they helped with whatever was causing the pain, who knows). Can anybody explain? I know I've microscopic blood in my urine sometimes but it's never shown up leucocytes.  It was weird, I wasn't dashing to the loo and it didn't keep me awake but started again once I was up and moving around. I've started thinking I was imagining it but I was actually holding a hot water bottle on my stomach. I'm fine now.

[Katejo]

Sorry for this long ramble but I started with lower pelvic pain to each side and lower back ache almost like period pain, no urgency sensation or irritation when urinating. I had those symptoms once before and as the symptoms weren't recognised I ended up in hospital with a really nasty UTI. So I have emergency antibiotics. I started them and saw my GP who did a dip test and said there were leucocytes. I took the antibiotics for 7 days before the pain went. I've just checked my records in the NHS app and the lab found no growth and it says no action. My GP didn't let me know. So I've taken the antibiotics for nothing (maybe they helped with whatever was causing the pain, who knows). Can anybody explain? I know I've microscopic blood in my urine sometimes but it's never shown up leucocytes.  It was weird, I wasn't dashing to the loo and it didn't keep me awake but started again once I was up and moving around. I've started thinking I was imagining it but I was actually holding a hot water bottle on my stomach. I'm fine now.

Dip stick tests are very unreliable. False positives and false negatives. However a GP also told me that taking a test after starting the AB course also gives unreliable results.

[Jules]

Oh really? So the lab results could be false too? I definitely had those type of pain, pressure feeling in my lower back too. The first time I had those symptoms, the dip sticks they did were negative. I was told there was nothing wrong and fit to travel. I ended up in an American hospital. I suppose you've to go with your instincts sometimes.

[CLKD]

I would echo Katejo.  Most of us have blood traces and/or leucocytes in fresh blood samples.

ABs will relieve pain but won't solve the problem of low oestrogen.  I can't remember whether U R/not using any form of VA treatment or HRT.  Your GP may not be aware of VA!

[Aprilflower]

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/leukocytes-urine

This has useful information.

[Jules]

I would echo Katejo.  Most of us have blood traces and/or leucocytes in fresh blood samples.

ABs will relieve pain but won't solve the problem of low oestrogen.  I can't remember whether U R/not using any form of VA treatment or HRT.  Your GP may not be aware of VA!

Yes I'm using topical estrogen and my GP understands about VA.  It wasn't the estrogen. I didn't have discomfort around that area, no frequency urge, no burning. It was pelvic and back pain that started suddenly.

[Jules]

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/leukocytes-urine

This has useful information.

Thankyou. It's a bit worrying reading that. The lab report said they'd been unable to do a full cell count due to instrument failure🤷

[Jules]

Sorry for this long ramble but I started with lower pelvic pain to each side and lower back ache almost like period pain, no urgency sensation or irritation when urinating. I had those symptoms once before and as the symptoms weren't recognised I ended up in hospital with a really nasty UTI. So I have emergency antibiotics. I started them and saw my GP who did a dip test and said there were leucocytes. I took the antibiotics for 7 days before the pain went. I've just checked my records in the NHS app and the lab found no growth and it says no action. My GP didn't let me know. So I've taken the antibiotics for nothing (maybe they helped with whatever was causing the pain, who knows). Can anybody explain? I know I've microscopic blood in my urine sometimes but it's never shown up leucocytes.  It was weird, I wasn't dashing to the loo and it didn't keep me awake but started again once I was up and moving around. I've started thinking I was imagining it but I was actually holding a hot water bottle on my stomach. I'm fine now.

Dip stick tests are very unreliable. False positives and false negatives. However a GP also told me that taking a test after starting the AB course also gives unreliable results.

I have just read that antibiotics can skew a result and reduce the bacteria so they cant get any growth. So I'm thinking I probably had some infection and the ABs affected it result. I wouldn't have wanted to wait to start them though.

[Aprilflower]

The main thing is you are feeling better.  Go with that as GPs often prescribe ABs when infection is the most likely cause, whether it's diagnosed or not.

[Jules]

Yes I just thought the same, that it wouldn't have gone if it was anything more. I've had such a bad time with UTIs starting 10 years ago. I'd never had one before that. So didn't recognise it, neither did my doctor. I was ill all the way across the Atlantic and straight to hospital in ambulance the other end. No idea what triggered it though probably VA looking back. I was single at the time.  The subsequent ones I had were always following sex. So bad I almost decided to become celibate. So it's the thing I panic about.

[Old Frumpy]

Well this really is interesting.  This morning after a week since finishing 5 days nitrifution felt frquency but no burning did dip stick test and only thing it showed was raised a leukocyte reading of "+15" only hitting first colour on start.  When I did pre AB course it went to max colour.  My sample did show mixed growth, but all settled.

It certainly isn't like last !! or yet!! But I honestly think the cold weather can cause the added frequency, so will see what tomorrow morning brings.  Plus it certainly isn't due to rumpy bumpy

Aprilflowers link was helpful, but what did it mean about asthma and hayfever/antihistamines..........have asthma meds and take antihistmines for allergies.

Sorry Jules for jumping in but dread the thought of more antibotics - due on twice weekly physio to help my knee pain next week and already put it off in october as away on holiday. 

Jules it might have been some inflammation else where with the back pain.  So AB's might not have been pointless.

[CLKD]

Too many ABs are being prescribed World Wide.  When the next Pandemic arrives there will be less availability of drugs to treat any side effects 

[Jules]

Well this really is interesting.  This morning after a week since finishing 5 days nitrifution felt frquency but no burning did dip stick test and only thing it showed was raised a leukocyte reading of "+15" only hitting first colour on start.  When I did pre AB course it went to max colour.  My sample did show mixed growth, but all settled.

It certainly isn't like last !! or yet!! But I honestly think the cold weather can cause the added frequency, so will see what tomorrow morning brings.  Plus it certainly isn't due to rumpy bumpy

Aprilflowers link was helpful, but what did it mean about asthma and hayfever/antihistamines..........have asthma meds and take antihistmines for allergies.

Sorry Jules for jumping in but dread the thought of more antibotics - due on twice weekly physio to help my knee pain next week and already put it off in october as away on holiday. 

Jules it might have been some inflammation else where with the back pain.  So AB's might not have been pointless.

It's certainly a puzzle. I suppose I will never know, unless it comes again. I've not had antibiotics for a UTI for about 4 years. I last had them a year ago for a chest infection as a result of a virus. I'm not a regular AB taker so not guilty CLKD. But I know some GPs prescribe too easily.

[Snowcat]

Yes I just thought the same, that it wouldn't have gone if it was anything more. I've had such a bad time with UTIs starting 10 years ago. I'd never had one before that. So didn't recognise it, neither did my doctor. I was ill all the way across the Atlantic and straight to hospital in ambulance the other end. No idea what
triggered it though probably VA looking back. I was single at the time.  The subsequent ones I had were always following sex. So bad I almost decided to become celibate. So it's the thing I panic about.

Hi.  As a sufferer of recurrent UTIs for many years, please ask your doctor or urologist if you see one, if you can be prescribed methenamine hippurate (aka Hiprex) it’s a real game changer.  My urologist says it’s revolutionised the way they treat recurrent UTI these days and I haven’t had an infection for 2 years now whereas I had them nearly all the time.  It’s not an antibiotic so you can’t get resistance to it and it works on all UTI bacteria.  It’s like an antiseptic that keeps the urine acidic and prevents the bugs from attaching to the bladder wall.  You have to give it 6 months before you can tell if it’s working for you as some embedded infections may need to surface first, and you can occasionally get breakthrough infections but these are milder and of less duration.  This has changed my life - I used to have really bad infections sometimes of several bacteria at once but I don’t live in fear of this anymore. 

[Old Frumpy]

Thank you Snowcat.  If this turns out as another UTI (sample off today) I will indeed ask after this.

I have started D mannose powder last night and today as it can help if not too far along.  Off to get cranberry Juice. CLKD no one wants antibotics -  I personally find it a nightmare to tolerate them, plus as well as my concerns with kidney levels I feel the need to take only if really necessary.  Plus laugh " the day my surgery over prescribes - pigs will fly."

Actually refused prescription for Vagifem early this week, seems the in house pharmacist question certain things and he knocked it back.  No reason given!!  Receptionist took it on board and sorted it saying the GP had done it and spoken to him about it.....

Samples go to lab when over 65 years and told ideal to do check up urine sample after course ABs finish.

Lovely receptionist at our surgery....following in the footsteps of ones now retired !!!