Infection questions, please read

[Kara]

I think I have an infection in my neobladder but I'm not so sure how to tell. I've been getting these contactions and put my whole body in a state of intense pain for about 30 seconds. They come and go. I catheterize through my old urethra.

How do you know when you have an infection in the neobladder. What are the signs and symptoms.

I took a fresh urine sample Friday night and put it in the fridge. Then I started a round of Levaquin and valium to stop the contractions.

I will call my doctor on Monday and drop off the clean urine sample that has no levaquin in it.

We are also in the process of moving and I am doing way to much for only being 3 months out of surgery. Is this too soon to be packing, if so then I am truly disabled from doing normal things. I'm not lifting anything heavy.

I'm wondering how to tell if it's a infection because a normal UTI store bought test kit will come out inaccurate due to the fact that people with neobladders have mucous in their urine 24/7.

So to recap:

1.How do you know when you have an infection vs. your doing too much physical activity?

2.Why I am having these contractions? Is it just normal for people whom have had this surgery or could it be an infection?

3.Should I still be irrigating the neobladdder?


Any answers would be welcome as I have one more day until I can get over to my doctors office and then it still takes 3-5 days to get the urine culture back.


Love and Hugs to you all


Kara <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" />

[Judith]

Kara, you are experiencing bladder spasms. I had them right after my surgery. I do know that irrigating can set them off in me, but it is very important for you to continue to irrigate until you talk to your doctor. Irrigating will help get rid of the mucus and also help in the way of preventing infections. Mucus has nothing to to do with using the urine test for infections. The way you can tell if it is an infection is that your urine will smell, it will also look kind of "junky", you may run a fever and in general feel pretty lousy. Try to drink lots of water to help keep things flushed, it will also thin out the mucus.The other thing to keep in mind is that most likely you will always have positive urine cultures because there is always bacteria in your neobladder since it is made from bowel which naturally has certain bacteria in it. You may want to ask your doctor about an antispasmodic for the spasms, if there are any you can take. Hope you feel better soon. Judith <img src="graemlins/bunny.gif" border="0" alt="[bunny]" />

[mary a]

I hope it is not an infection!!!!!!!!!!
All my best wishes for you!!!
AND TAKE IT EASY WITH YOUR PACKING!!!!!!!

[Jen_Cole]

Kara-I hope you find the answer you're looking for. I was just wondering-did your doctor prescribe an antibiotic for you to be on indefinately? My brother, who has a colostomy, and I, both have to be on bactrim indefinately.
Good luck on the move-hope it goes smoothly!
Jen C

[Kara]

Thanks for your replies.

I am taking Ditropan for bladder spasms.

Jen, I am not on an antibiotic full-time but I don't want to be because I would not be able to have intercourse with my husband because of the effect the antibiotic has on my birth control pill.

I will ask if there are any safe antibiotics that I can use while on birth control.

Thank you

Kara

[Judith]

Kara, if the Ditropan is not working you may want to look into taking an antispasmodic for the bowel since that is what your neobladder is made out of. That is what my doctors tried when I had my surgery. I think one of the ones I tried was Bentyl, though I know there are many others. Judith <img src="graemlins/bunny.gif" border="0" alt="[bunny]" />

[Kara]

Thank You Judith,

I will bring that up when I see my new urologist on the 9th of October.

Kara <img src="graemlins/blink.gif" border="0" alt="[blink]" />