Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: rebelyell on June 03, 2015, 04:22:02 PM

Title: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: rebelyell on June 03, 2015, 04:22:02 PM
I thought yesterday that I was coming down with a dose of cystitis - urgent need to wee, pressure at bottom of bladder.  So got some stuff from Boots and waited for the burning to start!  But still no burning and no respite in bladder pressure.    I also feel a bit crappy and tearful [have had low level headache for several days] and have the start of a sore throat.  Also had back ache, but very high up between shoulder blades.  Could this be a UTI?  Phoned doctors earlier but have to phone back in morning to get emergency appointment.

Have major health anxiety at the moment, thought it was under control after first CBT session, but it just needs one symptom to start me off again!  So be kind with your advice...  I don't need any more health scares!   :'(
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 03, 2015, 04:30:50 PM
Vaginal atrophy!  Do a wee before you go for the appt. and tell them to send it to the Lab. - a Surgery dip stick test doesn't show infection nor will it tell the Nurse which AB to prescribe should it be required.  I never get burning, my symptoms are a feeling of getting a cold/'flu, the need to pee …….. I end up sitting on the loo to allow the bladder to relax; with cup of tea and glass of dilute barley water  ::)

Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: oldsheep on June 03, 2015, 05:24:32 PM
do you use vagifem? Find it helps with UTI type symptoms. That and D Mannose in my tea. It's a cranberry extract and really helps a lot of women.
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: rebelyell on June 03, 2015, 07:24:49 PM
Went to walk in centre.  Urine clear so nurse thought I had a virus as taste buds up at back of throat, bad back and slight headache.  Will go to GP tomorrow.  No definite diagnosis is a disaster for me at the moment as am in early stages of dealing with major health anxiety... 

Thanks for advice.
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Limpy on June 03, 2015, 07:32:51 PM
I know it's easy to say but don't panic.
It doesn't help and just makes you feel bad.
Are you drinking lots of water and/or lemon barley water?
When this happened to me no infection was detected but local oestrogen (gynest cream) helped so much
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 03, 2015, 07:40:44 PM
Ask for vaginal atrophy treatment  ;) - it won't hurt.

Did the Walk in Clinic take your temperature?
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: rebelyell on June 03, 2015, 07:42:26 PM
Thanks Limpy.  Just can't understand why my bladder feels so pressured. Nurse said it could be very mild cystitis as a result of virus.  Will watch Coronation Street to take my mind off it.

CLKD - temperature must have been fine as she said I have no fever. 
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 03, 2015, 07:44:24 PM
That's good.  Could you take some Nurofen or something to ease any irritation?
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: rebelyell on June 03, 2015, 07:55:46 PM
Have taken paracetamol.   TV will distract me, hopefully.
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 03, 2015, 07:57:01 PM
Don't take too much paracetamol, it can be dangerous  :-\

Hopefully it will work  ;) however Coronation Street wouldn't be my first choice  ;D
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Annie0710 on June 04, 2015, 06:21:04 AM
I had UTIs almost weekly for months and they didn't have a pattern regarding symptoms, some were not being able to pee despite desperate to go feeling (they were my worst), others were feeling like a pea was stuck in the tube as the last bit was coming out, others tested positive with hardly any symptoms ! Then I started getting Anal  fissures again after 27 years of being clear ! Vagifem has sorted it out

Don't leave it, it was very draining on me and no one at the surgery picked up that I was needing ABs so much, ladies on here told me about VA

Annie xx
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: ancient runner on June 04, 2015, 09:29:44 AM
Another vote here for probable VA. It makes you very sore and uncomfortable in that region and also makes it easier for cystitis to incubate.
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: rebelyell on June 04, 2015, 10:35:42 AM
Been to GP - nothing wrong with urine so no UTI, she thinks it might be thrush that I didn't treat after course of ABs four weeks ago.  She also thinks my general anxiety makes everything worse [problem with diagnosis of health anxiety as it then covers everything!].  But to be fair, I do now have an itchy bum and a bit of discharge - so have used canestan cream and will hope for the best.

I don't think it is VA as that area is still moist and doesn't hurt - but will mention it as next appointment if this doesn't clear up.

Isn't it funny how unsatisfied we feel without a prescription?! 
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 04, 2015, 02:10:41 PM
Why didn't you ask for treatment for VA?  or why didn't your GP offer it  :bang: : 3 weeks treatment would let you know if that is the reason for your symptoms ….. I was moist but the GP told me that repeated urine-type problems is a sure sign - as well as eventually having razor blades up there  >:(

You need to practice with a Shee-wee in the shower apparently  ;D
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 04, 2015, 03:30:35 PM
That's good news!  apart from the bloating which can be due to drinking too little  ;)

Your GP sounds supportive  :medal:
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 05, 2015, 09:03:13 AM
I have a Very Good GP too and I love my Dentist  :-*  ;)

How are you today?
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: honeybun on June 05, 2015, 12:55:27 PM
Rebelyell has gone.....why...what happened  :-\

That's the second person today as tiger has said she is leaving too.

Any one know why ?


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: honeybun on June 05, 2015, 01:04:54 PM
She has gone to guest status.

I can't even think why


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Rebelyell on June 08, 2015, 01:36:20 PM
I'm back!   My CBT therapist said this type of thing was fueling my anxiety [it does a bit as I find out loads of symptoms I didn't know I had..] but am back as lost without your advice. 

Still have pressure on bladder but it had disappeared this morning so didn't make appt with GP.  But - it is creeping back gradually so am now thinking it must be that something has dropped and is pressing on bladder - particularly as it gets worse if I walk.   Am trying really hard to re-train bladder not to keep going and to hold on for longer.  Thought it might be thrush so used a pessary but that didn't shift it.   

Thoughts?  My GP hasn't examined me - I get anxious even thinking about going to her as she just says it is all anxiety.   I suppose it could be, and this morning I thought it was and I had kicked it into touch.  But now I am not so sure.   I don't have any burning or anything, BTW.
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 08, 2015, 01:40:06 PM
Could be a prolapse?  which will irritate the bladder.

Is there a Practice Nurse at your Practice?  Of course it's anxiety, due to not being listened too ……… oh these GPs need a  :kick:  ::)

Glad to see you back, wondered what we'd said  ;D
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Rebelyell on June 08, 2015, 03:20:59 PM
Thanks Sparkle.  I really thought it had gone this morning, but now am really uncomfortable - but not vaginally, I actually feel like I have hurt my pubic bone as it hurts a bit when I sit.  Feels like I used to feel when I went for a long bike ride!!  And as the day goes on I feel the need to wee more and more.  Although it is nowhere near as bad as yesterday.  BUT, I haven't gone for long walk like I did then.   

Am going to phone for emergency appt in the morning and insist on an examination and referral to meno expert.  I kind of know it isn't anxiety as am not anxious at all today and in fact, other than this, feel quite chipper.  But bloody woman will still say 'it's anxiety'...    Have second CBT appt today so that might help.

Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Limpy on June 08, 2015, 03:32:57 PM
Welcome back Rebelyell    :tulips2:

Are you going to tell your CBT therapist you've come back?
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: GeordieGirl on June 08, 2015, 03:37:40 PM
I had a number of UTIs ....uncomfortable, burning, pressurised etc.  I've just realised I haven't had one since taking progesterone - not sure whether that's coincidence? It could also be diet too I guess?

They recommend plenty of liquids, I found  that that prolonged it for me and I felt better by emptying my bladder completely and leaving it empty for a while, holding back.  Bloody annoying though.

Glad you decided to come back by the way, what does your therapist know, pah!

GG x
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Rebelyell on June 08, 2015, 03:41:23 PM
No Limpy - I am going to be a good girl.  Although have not done my homework!  I was really enthusiastic after my first appt but as time has gone on I am less and less convinced that it is for me.  I feel I am too cynical and world-weary for the exercises she has mentioned [mental exercises, I hasten to add!].    But will keep an open mind - although at £70 an hour I do need to be fairly convinced it will work!!

Am on the list for NHS therapy, but had my phone appt a month ago and have heard nothing...
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Jenna on June 08, 2015, 03:55:59 PM
Sparkle - 'Yes' gel can sting a bit sometimes, so don't despair! If this doesn't help you, I wonder whether your GP would prescribe some Estriol cream to use instead of the hydrocortisone. I know she is concerned about oestrogen because of fibroids, but I really think that would benefit you a lot.

Rebelyell - I also think you could be helped in the same way with vaginal oestrogen. Wanting to wee all the time (when there is no infection) is a definite symptom of VA, as is soreness underneath, hurting to sit down/walk etc., Well, I had all of those!

Jenna x



Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 08, 2015, 04:18:59 PM
With your GP or Practice Nurse?  Let us know how you get on!   :foryou:
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 08, 2015, 04:32:48 PM
Yep.  Take a list  ;)
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Rebelyell on June 09, 2015, 10:37:39 AM
Decided to phone GP today and am seeing her at 5pm - think it is actually really entrenched severe case of thrush as now have discharge.   But have worried myself silly this morning about bowel cancer as still have loose bowels caused by four month stint on citalopram and feel BM was different colour this morning [no blood though, just lighter brown].  TMI I know, but I do go to dark places with every new [or imagined] symptom.   Have persuaded myself that pressure on my bladder is in fact growth in bowel - although that is a bit silly as it started suddenly last Tuesday and is probably just untreated thrush, which can cause urninary problems and strange feelings around rectum.

Somebody give me a talking to??
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 09, 2015, 11:05:33 AM
How about a  :kick:  ;D

Let us know how you get on!  Hopefully your GP will take a sample to see if there is thrush there.  I take Citalopram family AD and haven't had any bowel problems other than the IBS …….. however, stress causes me to 'dash'  :-X
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Rebelyell on June 09, 2015, 11:10:50 AM
Will do - have just done urine sample for doctors and am now concerned as it had white bits floating in it.    Am now getting into ridiculous state of panic as still have pressured feeling in bladder so am now worrying about all sorts of things.
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 09, 2015, 11:14:13 AM
Probably protein - within normal limits  ;) put the sample into a carrier bag by the front door !
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: CLKD on June 09, 2015, 03:18:51 PM
))) Sparkle ((((  ;D - if the Optometrist is worried you would be referred elsewhere  ;)

Have a  :kick: ……… ?
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Rebelyell on June 09, 2015, 05:16:41 PM
Oh Sparkle - I emphathise as my sister had that happen recently so when I had an eye test last week I automatically assume I would have a problem, but didn't.   Was I happy?  God no.   I was OBSESSED with my teeth/gums until told they were saveable last Tuesday.  Was I happy then?  God no - the loss of eyegate and toothgate just allowed this nether regions issue [will now call it 'nethergate'] space to grow into a full blown health anxiety attack.  Since Wednesday I have had (in order): bladder cancer, vaginal prolapse, VA, kidney stones, bowel cancer and interstitial cystitis. 

Just back from GPs - she actually examined me and I have mega dose of thrush.  She took a swab and gave me a prescription for the tablet cure.   

Am I happy now?  God no - I am already convinced the thrush is so bad that one tablet alone won't cure it.  But all is not lost, if it does cure it, I will have time to worry about the swab result!  So result all round, really!

But deep inside I know that my real issue is anxietygate.   Wish there was a tablet for that...
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Limpy on June 09, 2015, 05:51:12 PM

But deep inside I know that my real issue is anxietygate.   Wish there was a tablet for that...


Rebelyell - Can't think of an easily obtainable tablet.
However, I have heard tell of a liquid derived from grapes which does offer some relief from anxiety when taken in moderation  ;D
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Rebelyell on June 09, 2015, 06:22:15 PM
Excellent idea Limpy - used to have a lot of that pre-nethergate so will give it another go!

Sparkle - my sister just had another test and then has to be tested next year.  Sort of a watching brief I think.  So don't worry.    (Did I really write that?! Pot and kettle...)
Title: Re: Think I have UTI.. need advice
Post by: Limpy on June 09, 2015, 06:58:11 PM
Rebelyell - Careful now, remember the moderation bit!  :)

Sparkle that's a shame.
How about in real moderation?