How do you know if you have a UTI?

[Kara]

I have a neobladder. I'm wondering for those of you that have had your bladders taken out, how do you know when you have an infection?

Do you feel like you have IC when you get an infection. I'm pulling my hair out because I have an infection and I feel it like IC felt like?????? Is this normal?

The found enteroccous growing on my culutre and prescribed Amphicillin.

I thought after the bladder was removed that we would not feel this urgency????? Is it all related to the infection or is my IC coming back?


Desperate for something to hold onto!!!

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

[Judith]

Kara, what you are experiencing is normal for an infection. I know that when my pouch is infected I feel the need to cath it more frequently and when I do I don't get as much out as I thought I would considering how strong the urge was.It will feel like my pouch is about to burst and then I will only get out about 200 cc's. My pouch can hold about 1,200 cc's. Also when I have an infection my urine smells horrible, I usually get kidney pains, and my legs will ache a certain way. I also run fevers, have the chills, nausea and vomiting. Hope you feel better soon. Once I am on the antibiotics for a few days the urgency goes away. Judith <img src="graemlins/bunny.gif" border="0" alt="[bunny]" />

[Amanda]

For me, in the beginning of my diagnoses (and surely before my diagnoses) I was in urgent care and my internist a lot of the time thinking I had a UTI. All five or so times (these are the ones after the diagnoses) it was nothing, but I was in so much pain. I have not gone in for about a year now, and have never had one, but every time I am at my urologist and some of the time when I go to the internist, I have a urinalysis just in case to be sure their is no infection, because I do not think I would know.

But, their is always that chance of a UTI, because as I said, personally, I do not think I would know. If you have a gut feeling and am in a lot of pain, it isn't going to hurt anyone to go in to the doctor's office and be sure.

Good luck!

Amanda

[Kara]

Yes,

I have an infection. The urgency has still not subsided. Only when I lay down do I get some relief. I called my doc whom did my Neobladder and he said he knows how scary infections are to Neobladder patients because they feel like they have IC all over again. He said it would take 7-10 days for the infection to take hold with the Amphicillin. He said that there's no possible way for my Neobladder to get IC. My new doc said the same thing. My old doc told me that if I can't stand it and I want to die from the urgency that I could put a foley catheter in for a few days to 4 weeks. Nice to know I have a way to kick the urge until the infection clears. For this one infection I have been consulting with my old doc, saw my new doc, and saw my OBGYN which is the one whom is prescribing the antibiotic as I have not found a good uro here yet. I'm never afraid to go to doctors. I have an appointments with them every few days. I'm working on getting a team of docs right down the street to take care of me.

Thanks for the support Judith, It's nice to know that it's just an infection and not IC. Judith do you feel the urge where your urethra used to be?


Kara

[vm]

<img src="graemlins/kissing.gif" border="0" alt="[kissing]" /> Thinking of you, Kara...

[Alleycat]

Kara~

Im so sorry you are not feeling so good due to your urgency and the infection you are experiencing. I can only imagine how frustrated you are with you feeling what you were feeling with IC and not having your bladder anymore. I hope all your doctors can give you the help you deserve and need. Your in my thoughts and prayers ~
Take care ((HUGS))
~Alison~ <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" /> <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" />

[Judith]

Kara, glad to hear it is just an infection.I have tried doing the indwelling catheter when I have had an infection and does help with the urgency. It will also give your tract a chance to rest. Remember every time you cath you irritate it somewhat and when there is an infection it is already irritated so it is like adding insult to injury. In answer to your question about feeling the urge where my urethra used to be, I can honestly say I have no feeling there of any type. They took out my urethra when they did the cystectomy. Right after surgery I did feel somewhat uncomfortable, but that was because the area was still healing.After the intial post op period I have never been aware of that area of my body since. It has been a blessing. Hope the antibiotic kicks in soon and you are feeling better. Judith <img src="graemlins/bunny.gif" border="0" alt="[bunny]" />

[Kara]

Thank You Ladies!!!! For your unending support through this.

Kim I've been thinking of you. My email is not working. I'm wondering if I have you on my AOL buddy list. I saw a private message from you a few weeks ago but was unfortunatly not at my computer. I hope to get in touch with you soon! I hope you are doing well Kim!!!! <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" /> <img src="graemlins/kissing.gif" border="0" alt="[kissing]" /> <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

Kara

[Alisha]

Kara,
Is there any way I can e-mail you or private message you? I wanted to talk to you about your neobladder and I need your advice.

Thanks,
Alisha
ara2580@aol.com
<img src="graemlins/kissing.gif" border="0" alt="[kissing]" />

[Kara]

My email is klkreese@twcny.rr.com but it doesn't always work. If you want to catch me online my AOL instant messenger name is karacoon76 and my Yahoo Instant Messenger name is kara_reese

Feel free to add me to your buddy list and we can talk through that. I am very open to discussion on any level of IC and bladder removal.


I look forward to hearing from you.

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