Should I discontinue my antiobiotic? Advice please.

[diane22]

Today I got my culture results back & they came back negative for bacteria. I SO-O do not understand this. 4 weeks ago, I had identical symptoms (building pelvic pressure pain/lower back pain over the course of a week) and that culture came back positive for bacteria. Since then, I've had recurrent symptoms, but no bacteria.
The last week, it was again lower pelvic pressure/pain & lower back pain, which was so severe, I could barely stand up. I was convinced it was another infection, and the preliminary culture came back with lots of red & white blood cells. Why would the blood cells be there without an infection? And the Bactrim (I'm on day 5 now) has made the pelvic pressure/pain go away altogether, although the constant achy urge to go is still there. There's only a little burning when I go. I'm afraid to discontinue the Bactrim...if I do, will the pelvic pain return?
What can I get over the counter to help relieve this situation? I'm getting Prelief today from Target (had to special order it). Is there anything else?
My OBGYN recommended the potassium test, but I think I'll go to a urologist to see what kind of test he/she recommends.
Thank you for this support group!
Diane

[ICNDonna]

We can't give you medical advice. You really need to talk with your doctor.

Sorry......
Donna

[leelee88]

You really need to talk to your Dr. But I know when I have all the UTI symptoms but no bateria is present. I always know this is a flare.

[lisabar36]

Hi, I would talk to your doctor. All doctors are different but that has happened to me and they tell me if the antibiotic is working and helping my symptoms to stay on it until done. Thats up to your doctor though. Hope you feel better soon.

[diane22]

I made an appointment today with a Dr. recommended by this site -- a Dr. Bruce Kahn in my area. My understanding is that he is an OBGYN with extensive interest & expertise in IC. I'm praying that he finds the right answers for me...
In the meantime (my appointment is not until April 25th), I will stay on the antibiotics for a total of 7 days (advised by obgyn & general practioner)...and I just got the prelief today which I will try tonight. I'm hoping to get the Cystoprotek from this site soon. Water ( a lot of it) seems to help somewhat although when I wash the area (even with mild soap like caress), it stings a bit.

[theclownster]

Hi there! As others have shared, I'm not a doctor and can't give medical advice. However, I can share my experiences with you. I had some blood cells in my urine one time when I thought I had a UTI about 6 months ago (or so). My primary care doctor started me on antibiotics and sent the urine to be culture. When the culture came back it said that nothing grew on it. However, when I went to my urologist who treats my IC, he said it was possible that I had a "low grade" infection that I caught before the culture grew. Since I started to feel better after taking the 3rd or 4th dose he said it sounded like I had a low grade infection and that it was best that i finished the full prescription of antibiotics. So, I would definitely follow whatever orders you have received from you Dr.'s.

I hope your Dr.'s appointment on April 25th goes well and you start to feel better soon.

Take care,
Jennifer

[SharonA]

I am so glad you were able to get an appointment with the doctor. I hope he is able to help you and that you begin to feel better. :)

[Briza]

hi Diane
You might want to skip the soap, even mild soap for now. Many of us do, especially when we are having symptoms, and just wash with plain water. There are mild soaps that most of us can tolerate, most of us have a personal preference for one mild soap or another...mine is Johnson's Baby Wash, but I know that when I am having any symptoms "down there," whether it be from my IC or VV or Vulvodynia, I skip the soap and just use lots of plain water. Hope this helps. Take Care, Bri :)

[jen74]

If you are feeling better, I would follow your doctors order and just finish the antibitoics since you already started them. It could be a low grade infection that the culture just did not pick up. Remember, when a ICer has a UTI, we get symptoms right away when the bacteria count is next to nill, but enough for use to feel it. A regular person would not likely feel any symptoms until the bacteria has had a chance to grow more. I hope you feel better soon.
Jen