weird urine smell?

[notmybestday]

I've only been on Elmiron for a few days. Beside a bit of indigestion and a headache, it hasn't been too bad. Actually having a bit of a flare right now. Boo.

But I've noticed a terribly strong smell to my urine. It's quite foul. Has anyone else noticed this while on Elmiron or should I be worried about something else? It's not the "fish" smell associated with yeast infections though.

Sorry for being graphic, but these questions have gotta be asked!

Thanks for your help, as always.

[leelee88]

I didnt seem to have this when I started Elmiron.. If I were you I would drink alot more water to dilute my urine and see if this helps, if not I would go get checked for an infection..

[Jamey]

If I were you, I'd talk my uro into doing a culture. I've been battling staph in my bladder for over a year. The test they did in office showed "no infection" but urine had blood and alot of white cells. When we send it to the lab, it grows staph. The smell mine has is almost like stale urine. Best of luck to you.

[Agape]

I've only been on Elmiron for a few days. Beside a bit of indigestion and a headache, it hasn't been too bad. Actually having a bit of a flare right now. Boo.

But I've noticed a terribly strong smell to my urine. It's quite foul. Has anyone else noticed this while on Elmiron or should I be worried about something else? It's not the "fish" smell associated with yeast infections though.

Sorry for being graphic, but these questions have gotta be asked!

Thanks for your help, as always.

YES...I've noticed a strange smell too. At first I didn't know what it could be, but now I think it is the meds. I am drinking nothing but water and milk every day, so maybe this will help. Hopefully it is just something that will bother me and no one else needs to know about it.

[Bessie]

Have you eaten any asparagus? It will make your urine smell almost like burnt rubber.

[Agape]

No, not me. I rarely eat asparagus and haven't for sure since I've been on this IC diet for the past 3 weeks. Never noticed this weird smell before going on the medication.

[TWINBURL]

I have noticed the same thing. I have been taking elmiron for about 2 months. Also has anyone noticed that there urine has turned very yellow? Its just started a couple of days ago and its yellow enought little spots are staining my clothes:loco:

[Chris939]

I am newly diagnosed and have been on the Elmiron for a month now and noticed the smell and cloudiness at 3 weeks or so. I am just pushing more water and trying to get used to it. I figured it was partly due to being sick of drinking water so lack of. I have been extremely lucky in finding pure blueberry and pear juice with no additives though! I go in to learn the self cath. next week......stress.

[jenleigh]

I noticed the smell after being on Elmiron. Thought I was the only one! I wondered if it was part of the disease itself. I stopped Elmiron, and it's gone for now. I also noticed another odor if I was going 25 times a day etc. That was because it's impossible to stay as clean as before I guess.

[megancolleen]

I've noticed that smell, and I'm not on Elmiron. Strange. My urine is also usually very yellow (even when I'm not flaring) unless I drink a ton of water.

[Sally939]

I think that means it is consentrated and you might be dehydrated. To me I think the smell might be a uti or something you are eating. I know asparagus (I can not spell to save my life) makes urine smell.

[Trishann]

If it is anomina smell, if you drink more water it will go away.

Hugs, Trish

[sandramac]

If the color is very yellow , have you happened to just add a multi vitiman in the mix there? That will also cause a color change.
Hugs Sandra :cat: :cat: :cat:

[notmybestday]

Well the smell is largely gone. I'm not sure what it was. It wasn't dehydration for sure. I'm very consciously drinking a lot of water since my diagnosis. Who knows...

[Dixiefireball]

if you have any more problems I would call your Dr's office to drop a urine by. I would ask for it to be sent to the lab to be double sure its not an infections, but if your taking a low dose of anti. or something that helps with bladders spasm that has dye in it. It can tamper with the results of the lab test. my Dr's office always tells me to make sure not to take any of the above for at least three days before coming in to give a sample.
I do hope things will continue to improve for you. Hang in their never give up.
it takes time, but you will find the right treatments that works best for you.
Rhonda

[NanaB]

I myself was diagnosed on Sept. 6th, and was put on Elmiron 100mg 2X daily, now I am taking 100mg 3X daily. I also had a bad order in my urine, and I just figured it had to be the Elmiron because that is the only different thing I am taking. I also noticed that my urine seems extremely warm almost hot.
Very Strange...:confused:
NanaB

[Babs RN]

I've never seen Elmiron cause a change in temp before. If your urine feels that hot you might want to check your temp in general and make sure it isn't elevated.

Hugs,
Barb:)

[jenleigh]

When I was a kid I would notice the way my grandmother's urine smelled (sorry grandma:rolleyes:), it was strong, very distinctive odor. I hated it. Now I have it. My grandma had Ic, I am convinced. She had it very late in life. I have the odor worse when I go a lot. Yes it's probably the ammonia. The thing is, I NEVER had this problem when I did not have IC. and I drink as much water as I can. It's all I ever drink. And I don't have an infection. My gut instincts tell me this is because of the change in my bladder or the apf component etc. I may be wrong, but I have always had this feeling.

[redmama]

I've noticed a strong urine smell also and wondered if it was one of the med's I was on. It's not the same smell as a UTI, I've learned to recognize that odor. My urine is almost clear because I drink so much water so I don't think it's dehydration either. I looked up the side effects for Elmiron and strong urine smell was not one of them. I take 100mg twice a day. I have a mild case of IC, thank goodness, and follow the diet closely. It's aggravating to always be aware of your bladder and its other components. A day of no pain, especially the burning, would be nice for a change.

[Trishann]

Amonia Smell in Urine and Menopause
By Dawn M.

Sometimes as a woman enters the “change of life”, she will notice a funny odor when using the restroom. Interestingly, ammonia smell in urine and menopause actually has something in common, although not much. First, you have to remember that urine is about 96% water. The yellow color you see in urine is comprised of substances and the body and blood no longer need. This substance is what can tell doctors all types of things going on within the body, revealing hidden secrets about your health.

Okay, so where does the ammonia smell in urine come from during menopause. Well first, women will sometimes change diet during menopause and stop drinking adequate amounts of water. For instance, concerned with weight gain, women sometimes turn to vegetarian diets or diets with more vegetables. Those foods coupled with someone not drinking enough water and the urine will become more concentrated and yellow, occasionally giving off the ammonia smell. For this, you simply need to increase your intake of water consumption to help the body flush out all the unwanted toxins.

Now, an ammonia smell in urine during menopause could also be associated with the food you had for supper the night before, even if you have not made a major change in diet. Therefore, rather than panic thinking you have an infection of some kind, stop to look at what you ate. For example, asparagus produces a pungent odor that comes from leftover oxalates, which are chemicals that occur from the breakdown of certain acids in the body. Although not pleasant, keep in mind the odor is perfectly harmless and by the end of the day will pass.

Other things you want to watch for include cloudy/yellow urine, which means the presence of blood, fat droplets, or pus, often associated with a vegetarian diet. Smoky colored urine with a gray cast means remainders of yeast and old red blood cells. Red blood means blood that could be from a bladder infection, kidney infection, or more serious things such as cancer of the kidney or bladder. However, if you have recently eaten beets or taken laxatives with red food coloring, this too could be the culprit. Finally, if the urine is a dark brown color, hepatitis or liver disease might be suspected. While ammonia smell in urine and menopause may not always be associated with every color, there are times when you would notice a slight odor.

In addition to the ammonia smell in urine and menopause, you might notice other odors in urine that should be understood. For example, if urine takes on a fishy smell, then your ammonia level is much too high or you could be battling with a bladder infection. Another cause of the ammonia smell in urine during menopause is called vaginitis, which is an infection. Remember whether you have a bladder infection or vaginal infection, you can talk to your doctor and typically be given antibiotics and cream to help.

The important thing to keep in mind even when you notice an ammonia smell in your urine during menopause is that most often, nothing serious is going on. Urine in itself is a vital substance of the body. While you sleep at night, the body can use the flow of urine to carry decomposing products out of the body. By the kidneys being filtered, those unwanted substances are washed away. The most important thing is that if you notice a strong ammonia smell in urine during menopause and you have not eaten anything funny the night before, as well as increased your water consumption, you should talk to your doctor to have a urinalysis done. With this, you simple pee in cup so to speak so the urine can be examined closely under microscope. At that time, your doctor would be able to determine the cause of the urine and prescribe the appropriate medication or treatment.

The actual ammonia smell in urine noticed during menopause or any other time for that matter is caused by nitrogenous waters that are present. The ammonia smell can also come from bacteria being present in the urine, which causes a reduction in nitrate-to-nitrate. In this case, the odor would not occur until the bacterium has had four to five hours to cultivate. However, just as urine can have an offensive odor, it can also smell sweet or life fruit, often the case for people with diabetes or who have larger ketone body excretion. Typically, adult urine will have more of an odor than a child’s urine since adults consume more protein. Just remember that the ammonia smell in your urine during menopause is probably nothing but if you have any concern whatsoever, talk to your doctor.


Just thought you might want to read this information. Personally though I do think it does have to do with IC. My daughter is working on to be a Medical
Labortorary Tech. and she used my urine for experiments. No infections or nothing unusaully showed up, except being cloudy. They even kept it in conseal (I don't know the word for it) for a week but still no unusally major problems showed up. It is a strange think.

Hugs, Trish

[debinelson]

I've only been on Elmiron for a few days. Beside a bit of indigestion and a headache, it hasn't been too bad. Actually having a bit of a flare right now. Boo.

But I've noticed a terribly strong smell to my urine. It's quite foul. Has anyone else noticed this while on Elmiron or should I be worried about something else? It's not the "fish" smell associated with yeast infections though.

Sorry for being graphic, but these questions have gotta be asked!

Thanks for your help, as always.

YES, me too! At first I thought it was a UTI, as it smells just like that, but I know it wasn't because I am currently on Cipro. I have completed my Cipro and still have the smell about one hour after taking the pill. I will retest my urine in about a week for any cultures.

[breannavich]

I too have noticed a strong smell to my urine. I thought at first it was a uti as I have noticed the correlation between the two before, but no dice. Everything came back clear and I drink an insane amount of water a day due to dry mouth from my meds..so I just decided not to worry about it as it's one side effect that I can deal with no prob :)