Strange smelling urine

[ICAmy]

I'm curious if anyone else has strange smelling urine? It smells like that dry flaky fish food. I hate to even ask this question...I feel really silly! I asked my uro and he said it was probably from my meds and he even checked for an infection (negative just like all the other cultures I've ever done).

I don't really know if I agree with him though. What else is new? Anyway, it seems to come and go. Yes, I do take meds but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with them. Does anyone else have this problem? Or am I the only one?

Thanks,
Amy

[dyno]

Amy, are you drinking enough water? Sometimes my urine will smell more if I haven't drank enough.

[ICNDonna]

A fishy smell can be from infection so I'm glad you had that checked out.

As Jolene says, urine odor can also be caused by insufficient liquids in the diet. It can also be from some foods and drinks --- or some medications.

Donna

[emilyrose197377]

are you drinking enough fluids maybe that is the reason for the smell. Try drinking some more water and see if it helps. Good luck to you.

Take Care
Kim

[pottywoman]

I have the same problem. It goes away if I drink lots and lots of water.

[Melanie]

It can also be related to hormones (certain times of the month or pregnancy).

[Tunia]

Amy,
While reading your question, my first thought was water, water, water - but others have already suggested the same.

However, just a note:
Since my IC actively kicked in a few years ago, I notice that food items seem to secrete themselves into my urine more. For instance - if I eat fish, my urine will have a very fishy odor for a couple of days. The same is true with some spices. I ate something a few days ago and was unaware that it had saffron in it. My urine has been saffron-scented since, despite additional "flushing" with extra water. Any strong flavors seem to have this effect.

[sunnidee]

Whenever I get an attack of IC my urine smells bad - I find that the best thing to do for an attack is to drink lots of water, and lie down - I have that this is the best thing of all if you are able to rest....

Take Care

sunnidee :kissing:

[~*~Christine~*~]

If it only smells bad in the morning that's generally normal but if it always smells really bad you may have a UTI so you might need to see a doctor for anti-biotics

[ICAmy]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the responses. I usually do drink lots of water, but I'll try adding more.

It does seem to smell more if I am hurting due to a flare. It almost seems to me that my urine is reacting to some food I eating. As I stated before it smells like that flaky type of fish food (not a fishy smell) or maybe like ammonia or something. I am positive I don't have an infection because we just did a culture.

I'll try adding more water! Thanx Everyone!

Amy

[Cricketmk3]

Amy, I know exactly what you are talking about. When I'm in a flare, my urine has an odor I have described as smelling like someone has lit a match. I always drink lots of water and that doesn't seem to help. It's just when I'm in a bad flare that this happens.

[diane57]

Me too - I get the sulphur-y smell when I'm flaring or about to flare. Then maybe a day later I get lots of bubbles and/or mucus in the urine. The odor all by itself scares me now, because I know I'm going to be uncomfortable soon...

[Scomegys]

You may want to check for gram positive bacteria with a broth culture instead of a standar agar plate culture. In case it is still infection. It is also good to increase your water intake to half your body weight.

[Michelle in KC]

Amy,

I get the worst smelling urine when I am going to flare. I mean within an hour I am rolling in pain.

I also think it helps to drink a lot of water but then, you have to pee more, and then you lose sleep, and then you hurt and are crabby....

It's a viscious circle.

Michelle in AR

[Michelle in KC]

Oh, and I NEVER get UTI's. Strange, I know.

[Dixiefireball]

when i read your topic the first thing came to mind was INFECTION UTI. when i went to the doctor tuesday my pee test came of neg. but he sent it off to be checked by other labs low and behold i now have an IV in my arm i had a very bad uti that wasn't coming up on the dip stick test and the infection had already gotten into my blood stream.
I was on the virge of going back in the hosp.
If you dont feel better in a few days go back let him check the urine again and ask for them to send it off to other labs for test.
and yes drinking lots of water can help flush out any bat. in the urine.
hope you feel better soon and that nasty smell goes away. My urine always smell that nasty way when i have a UTI.
best wishes
Rhonda

[calmkiwi21]

Hey Amy
I'm just like you in that sense I've noticed in the past when I've smelt a kinda of ammonia like smell, I drink loads and don't have any UTI's so I have no idea if it's the IC that's causing it or what. I'm on no medication either so hmm if you find out definitely let me know
From Another
Amy :)

[Judith56]

Certain foods are notoriuos for making urine stink- asparagus is the worst. For many people when they eat it, thier urunie can smell like something has died!

[Scomegys]

Just because the culture showed no signs of infections, does not mean that ther is not one. Foul smelling urine can definitely be an undetected infection. Check into getting a broth culture done so that you can rule out bacteria that a standard agar plate culture can not detect.

[Cricketmk3]

The smell I am describing does not come from a UTI. I haven't had a UTI since I've been diagnosed with IC (2 years). I have had UTIs in the past and the smell is not the same. It is not from food and it does not help to drink water. It is a smell from whatever goes on in my bladder when I am in pain from a flare. Maybe everyone doesn't have it but it sounds as if there are many who do.

[sheryl*]

Wow, I drink lots of water to, have to, get real dyhrdated if I dont, my sister is the same way too. But I guess I stay relativly flushed due to a good amt of water intake, however my urine will have a I guess i will describe it as a grapefruit can of smell to it, not really a bad smell i would say, but different, and I dont drink any citrus so that would not account for a grapefruity smell, but I never really thought about it too much til I read this thread,anyone else with a citrus smell??

[LeahLove]

I also get the smell when I am in a flare. Mine is a combination of being in a flare and from taking Peridum (the dye pills). I think those pills have sulfur in them. I asked my Uro if this is normal and she said yes. As long as your up on your health, pay attention and ask your Uro questions you should be fine! =)