Accuracy of urinanalysis question

[twiggy]

While on macrobid, my last urinanalysis came back negative but I am convinced there is still an infection as my bladder is much worse than normal for no logical reason. The doctor has me on macrobid, but it does not appear to be working. As I mentioned, while on macrobid, the last urinanalysis came back negative. Must you submit urine from first thing in the morning to catch an infection? If so, then no one has ever told me to do this before and I have submitted numerous urine samples to be cultured before. This time, however, something is being missed. I just don't get the discomfort I am feeling without an infection. It is much worse than my normal IC pain.

[vm]

You were on the Macrobid when you gave the sample? It seems like that could mess up the test, maybe?

Did they do a dipstick test or did they do an actual urinalysis where they looked at it under a miscroscope?

[shennan]

my uro told me that macrobid/macrodantin irritates ic bladders.
i thought it was those two that he mentioned.

shenna

check with your uro...

good luck!

[twiggy]

Ha, ha, ha, ha! My uro is good but tells me very little. Yes, I was on macrobid when the sample was submitted. I am still on it, but it isn't doing anything. All my samples are cultured. I was told that, if you have an infection while on an antibiotic, the infection, if present, will show through anyway. That is if the infection is resistant to the antibiotic that you are on. What I wonder is -- perhaps you need to submit a sample from the "first pee of the day." Maybe, samples from throughout the day, won't contain enough or any of the bacteria. (????????) I just don't know but I sure feel like I have an infection along with my IC.

[anxious one]

My doctor says that a culture done with an antibiotic in the bloodstream is unreliable- I tried Macrodantin for a while (longterm) but it irritated my bladder terribly.The only way to do a true culture is to go off the antibiotic.

Sara

[twiggy]

Thanks Sara. It would be nice if we could get a consistent answer from our doctors. It seems my urologist and your doctor have told us two different things. All I know is that I am uncomfortable! I will finish this round of antibiotics--about 7 more days--and then see if I feel relief without them! Thanks for the response.

[Katrina]

I have had difficulty with having infections while on an antibiotic...been convinced it happened but no way to prove it since tests always coming back negative. So I switch my antibiotic to a different one and get better...works for me. I know I don't always submit in the morning...but I do know that is better. Ya...my doc said that if I am on an antibiotic it would be difficult to know I have an infection...so he just works with me the best he can.

Flares may be because of: stress, food, food allergies, nasal allergies, Enviromental hazzards, over working yourself, sex, gas, constipation, holding it too long, hormones, yeast infections, bacterial infections, car rides, viruses or being sick, being over tired, treatments affecting you badly, test affecting you badly, and many other things. Some things you can help lesson or prevent…some not. Just incase it is IC I added this list of flare causes.

Hope you feel better soon.

[berryjona]

this thread describes my life for the last 7 months.
urine culture showed low count bacteria but no growth, or "trace" of bacteria, or negative.

i was diagnosed with IC because of the cysto results, but i have to wonder if it's not just a stubborn hard-to-find infection. (i'm also running a low fever.)

my last uro did something a little unusual ... he let the culture sit for more than 2-3 days. he let it sit for about a week, i believe. lo and behold, the bacteria showed up. it was enterococcus, and he was even able to do a sensitivity test!!!!! :woohoo: i was ECSTATIC! except i had already been on many of the sensitive antibiotics with no improvement. :headbang:

by the way, the culture showed 50,000 units of bacteria, well below the "infection criteria" accepted by most in medicine (above 100,000 counts).

as for giving first urine sample of the day, i tried that one before and it didn't make a difference. still "negative" on the test.

also, being on an antibiotic will skew the results of your test. i've had more than one doctor tell me not to give a sample while on them because it would probably show up as negative.

hope this helps! it feels good to know i am not alone in this mess!
:grouphug:

[Ginny]

I believe Macrobid is Macrodantin and yes it can irratate the bladder.

Ginny

[berryjona]

dusty, this may be a long shot but what you said about the allergies growing gave me an idea. :idea: i was told i have "leaky gut." it's also known as intestinal permeability. it's when things leak out of your intestines into other parts of your body and has many consequences, including developing allergies to foods and drugs. other side effects include infections in the downstairs area. leaky gut is also linked to systemic candida infection. maybe it's worth looking into.

:grouphug: