Scared

[cat in the hat]

Hi,
My symptoms started in the first week of August 2006. I had this constant feeling of urination and my bladder would burn after I peed. I went to my PCP who did a urine culture in her office and it came back for E coli. She put me on Cipro 500MG for 3 days. The burning went away but it still felt like I constantly had to pee. I called PCP and she prescribed another 3 days of it. It still didn't go away. She did pelvic and checked for STD's and BV, they all came back neg. I also had pelvic ultrasound. It showd nothing. I saw UR #1, who did cysto in office. He did not see anything in my bladder but inflammation in Urethra. He prescribed Urised for 5 days. I did that for 10 days and called his nurse. She told me about foods and drinks to avoid that will irritate both bladder and urethra. Went back to see him after having major anxiety over it. He came in with an attitude. He told me what do you want me to do " Wave a magic wand" I was horrified and so was my mother ( she was with me). I asked if there was anything else we could try, his nurse mentioned Urethral cream inserted in Urethra. I had that done four times and it did not go away.

On to Uro # 2. He is a doctor that sees mostly females. I had another in office Cysto. It was very painful as my urethra was extremely swollen and had pus in the glands. He said my bladder looked fine but I definetly had Urethritis. He gave me a 30 day supply of a sulfur based anitbiotic and told me to come back in a month because it can be extremely stubborn. I am on day 23 and it still has not gone away. I do not have any pelvic pain or bladder pain. I have this persitant feeling to void. I can hold it for 3 hours and go. I am extremely anxious about this. I can't seem to get a handle on this. I also asked the docter straigt out if this could be the beginning stages of IC and he said NO!!! I am at the same clinic but not the same doctor that has given lectures to this site. I have to believe that they talk and share their knowledge of IC with each other.

What would you do if you were me????

[traceann]

Hey there cat! I think I would be back on the phone with my doctor telling him how I was feeling. Since he said that it can be stubborn to get rid of, he most likely wouldn't be surprised if it was still hanging in there. Have you tried taking any bladder analgesics to help you be comfortable while the antibiotics are doing their thing?? Things like: AZO Standard, Uristat or Pyridium (Rx)?? They aren't for long-term use, so I would talk to the doctor about using them for any length of time, but they can be helpful in numbing things up until the infection is gone and things heal up.

It could also take awhile for the nerves to calm down after being worked up with the infection - it might be gone, but the nerves are still sensitive, etc.

But I do think I would call my doctor, and get his opinion on what you should do. He may want to do another culture to see if the infection is still present etc, and you could ask what you can take that would make you more comfortable until this thing is beat!!!

[L. Thomas]

Hang in there.
Don't take no for an answer.
The only dumb question is the one you don't ask!

MD's are suppose to work with you to improve the quality of life. If they don't, find one that does.

Be proactive!!
It's your life and you deserve to have a great one.
________
Paxil Pregnancy (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/paxil/)

[ICNDonna]

Tracey is right. You need to see your doctor.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[sami4a]

The Doc ruled out bladder involvement and said you had Urethritis which sounded to me like an accurate diagnosis. When he told you it can be stubborn to clear up, he wasnt kidding. You are on the right track with the Doctor, calm down, and know he is doing the right thing for you but symptoms dont always stop overnight.
The other poster also mentioned that the nerves can be pretty cranky after an inflammation, and nerves dont always stop spasms right away.
Did he test you for Mycoplasm and Ureo plasm ( not sure of spelling not near my med book) but these little devils can be hard to clear up. The test is a swab test of urethra.
Relax, you have what sounds like a good doctor and you will probably be feeling a lot better soon.
Sammie

[Sarojini]

Please know that if you feel uncomfortable with your doctor, you will have a hard time communicating - and in situations like this one, communication is key. If you feel this isn't the doctor for you, definitely make an appointment with another one, even if he is in the same clinic... this is about you, not him. :grouphug:

[cat in the hat]

Thanks for the replies. I did get a hold of my urologist and he doubled the dose of the antibiotic. I will go in on the 25th for a recheck.

Sami-- As far as the Mycoplasma? Is this something that urologists are aware of? I had so much pus (sorry to be graphic) in the urethra that he could barely get the tube in there. I will definety ask him about this.

Does anybody have any tips for keeping the urethra from burning after urinating? I am trying to pat dry it. I wish I would have kept the perineal bottle after the birth of my second child. Would Walgreens carry these?

Thanks,
Barb

[alyssa4]

Hi,
My symptoms started in the first week of August 2006. I had this constant feeling of urination and my bladder would burn after I peed. I went to my PCP who did a urine culture in her office and it came back for E coli. She put me on Cipro 500MG for 3 days. The burning went away but it still felt like I constantly had to pee. I called PCP and she prescribed another 3 days of it. It still didn't go away. She did pelvic and checked for STD's and BV, they all came back neg. I also had pelvic ultrasound. It showd nothing. I saw UR #1, who did cysto in office. He did not see anything in my bladder but inflammation in Urethra. He prescribed Urised for 5 days. I did that for 10 days and called his nurse. She told me about foods and drinks to avoid that will irritate both bladder and urethra. Went back to see him after having major anxiety over it. He came in with an attitude. He told me what do you want me to do " Wave a magic wand" I was horrified and so was my mother ( she was with me). I asked if there was anything else we could try, his nurse mentioned Urethral cream inserted in Urethra. I had that done four times and it did not go away.

On to Uro # 2. He is a doctor that sees mostly females. I had another in office Cysto. It was very painful as my urethra was extremely swollen and had pus in the glands. He said my bladder looked fine but I definetly had Urethritis. He gave me a 30 day supply of a sulfur based anitbiotic and told me to come back in a month because it can be extremely stubborn. I am on day 23 and it still has not gone away. I do not have any pelvic pain or bladder pain. I have this persitant feeling to void. I can hold it for 3 hours and go. I am extremely anxious about this. I can't seem to get a handle on this. I also asked the docter straigt out if this could be the beginning stages of IC and he said NO!!! I am at the same clinic but not the same doctor that has given lectures to this site. I have to believe that they talk and share their knowledge of IC with each other.

What would you do if you were me????
Hi,
I just wanted to let you that I had 3 cystos. The first 2 were extremely painful and showed nothing. I was told everything was fine. The third one was done in the hospital during a laporoscopy and since I was "knocked out" they were able to extend the bladder more and that was when I was diagnosed with IC. I was really upset that I was put through those other two especially since it hurt so much...if they had done it originally under anesthesia I would have been diagnosed right away. Now I am trying to find a doctor. Good luck to you and don't give up...it took them a year to diagnose me. Be assertive...don't give up...seek out another doctor if neccessary...and don't let anyone tell you this is all in your head because it's NOT.
Alyssa

[glassd18]

The uro sounds like he's trying to clear up your infection in the urethra, and hopefully the extra antibiotics will do the trick. Hopefully you are on the right type of anti for the infection you have. In the meantime I would not have sex for a while (I mean intercourse) sorry don't mean to offend!!, I would not wipe too hard down there, I would not use any perfumes because you could be allergic and this would make matters worse, and wash your undies separately without strong detergent with perfumes. These things really can matter to your poor irritated pp. I hope you feel better soon. An allergy to something in your clothing can cause urethritis. Since I was a kid I have been very sensitive to detergents, and the first place they irritate me will be in that area!!!

[cat in the hat]

Thanks Everyone for their response. The extra antibiotic seems to be helping. I talked to my uro's PA and she also said to change my panty liner after I go the bathroom. I guess these little things are bacteria traps. Has anyone every felt like their urethra had a discharge, not urine but pus or something? I get this feeling every once in awhile. I know vaginal discharge is normal but this seems weird.

Thanks,
Barb

[glassd18]

I've never noticed any urethral discharge before, but infection can do that. I'm glad your feeling better.