Cloudy & Shimering Urine

[mooseswamp]

I notice that many time when I urinate it looks cloudy and almost like there is oil in the toilet water. Often times there is what looks like bits of dead skin that sinks to the bottom as well.

I was reading how some other people have these symptoms, but it looked like many were women and wondering if it had to do with their cycles and so on. Since I am a male, I wanted to share that I have those same symptoms.

Is there something I can do? Do I need to drink more water or do something else differently?

I'm on Elmiron which has helped out a lot, but occissionally I still do have pain.

I'm really glad this website and message board exists, it is good to hear that I'm not alone in my condition.

Thanks,
brad

[sleepyangel30]

here some imfo i got about cloudy urine.

The kidneys have important functions in removing nitrogenous wastes and
maintaining the chemical and fluid balance of the body. It does this by
excreting/secreting into the urine water, urea, uric acid, urate salts,
carbonates,calcium, phorphorus, sodium, potassium, ammonium ion and
bicarbonate ion, etc.

A cloudy urine can be caused by precipitation of crystals and amorphous
salts. Phosphates and carbonate salts precipitate in alkaline urine and
can be redissolved by acidifying the urine with acetic acid. Uric acid and
urates can be redissolved by heating the urine to 60C. Urate salts also
dissolve in acidified urine.

Other causes for cloudy urine are: leucocytes(pus), bacteria, red blood
cells, spermatozoa and prostatic secretions in men, in women contamination
of the collected urine specimen from vaginal secretions and finally, mucus
secreted from the urinary tract.

[Sarojini]

Hi Brad,

I'm a girl, but I understand where you're coming from.

I get that oil slick stuff on my urine too --- in fact today I had it every single time I went pee!!! I would LOVE to know exactly what it is. However, in the absence of an official explanation, I suspect that it is pieces of the GAG (glycosoaminoglycan... yep, say it three times fast and win the prize) layer of the bladder sloughing off. The GAG layer is kind of slimy and semi-waterproof, so I guess it's not much of a stretch to think of it as looking "oily". And, since IC is often thought of as a degradation of the GAG layer, it's again not much of a stretch to imagine why we, as IC patients, would see it in the toilet after urinating...

Also, since men and women both have a similar GAG layer, I think this phenomenon happens to both men and women equally...

Hope I made sense...

[sleepyangel30]

Sarojini you are so right. Yes the layer of the bladder does sloug off. i think our body have so much acid in it.


:(

[ICNDonna]

Actually everyone, IC or not, has some sloughing of tissue that can be visible in the urine. However, if you have cloudy urine, along with an increase in symptoms, it can be a sign of infection.

It's important that you get enough water to drink. I drink 6 to 8 cups of water per day --- I know it would be good to drink a little more, but that seems to be my comfort level.

Donna

[blue]

Brad, welcome!

[kelly McC]

Just wanted to say hi and:welcome:
Glad you found us.
Kelly

[Dixiefireball]

Please take it from one of the UTI Queen's its an infection i'm 99% sure it is and it can became painful PLEASE go to your doctor be tested and get on anti.! ASAP!
please let us know how you are sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda:kiss:

[Iris]

Hi Brad, and welcome to the IC network and family, glad that you have found us. Great source of information and support, and caring people. Just wanted to say hello and welcome, Iris.:hi:

[hsweet1968]

Hi Brad! So glad you posted that... I have the same thing. I always thought that 'cloudy' urine meant I had an infection, but it's become apparent that it's not true!
It's pretty disturbing seeing all the 'floaters' and other detritus...
Wishing you well
H

[Angel77]

Does anybody know how much of it is normal and how much would indicate a problem? I know I see all sorts of things, from cloudiness, to the oil slick on top, to globs of mucousy stuff in mine, and I'm not sure if it's normal, or a symptom of IC, or whatever it is I have (I'm still not sure yet.) I do tend to notice more weird stuff when I have pain or discomfort, but sometimes I see none at al, even when I'm hurtingl. It would help to know what is considered normal, and what is not.