I still have a UTI after finishing a course of antibiotics? Why didn't drug kill it all off?

Kidney and urinary tract
1

I'm 25 and not sexually active. After having a burning discomfort down there and lower back pains that my doctors were ignoring for weeks to months they finally did a test and discovered I had a UTI. I was put in Macrobid/ nitrofutonin 100mg 1 pill twice a day for 5 days. I took the medicine EXACTLY as prescribed. I was drinking both cranberry juice and water to flush it out completely. I did notice an immediate difference in the pain when I was taking the antibiotics. However, by the 4th day of treatment I noticed My infection stopped responding to the antibiotics. So I just assumed maybe it's residual burning and irritation from having a UTI for awhile. Plus I thought once I finish the course maybe it needed time to kick in so waited a few weeks to see if there would be difference.

So about 3-4 weeks later I decided to go back to the doctor to have my urine retested as the burning would come and go and was still causing me slight discomfort. My results came back today that I still have a UTI. Apparently it's the SAME bacteria from the first time. My lab culture says its "1,000-9,000 cocci gram positive isolated". I'm glad he bacteria hasn't grown back to the 10,000-50,000 amount I was seeing on my culture before after so many weeks. Why didn't the antibiotics kill off ALL of the bacteria? What do I do now? I know for a fact it's not a reinfection it's the SAME UTI that didn't fully clear up. I was still experiencing symptoms after i finished the course. Please help!

2

Almost always antibiotics should be taken for 10 days, for example, macrobid. Go back to doctor to see what he can do for you.

3

You may need a different antibiotic.  I, too, was on the nitrofutonin, and it didn't get rid of it.  The dr. prescribed Amoxicil which took care of it.  In the past, I have also been prescribed Cipro which would knock it out fast.  The last infection i had which was about 2 months ago, was really hard to get over.  I ended up having an ultrasound/ cystoscopy which were normal.  The symptoms remained yet no infection.  My urologist seems to believe I may have had an allergic reaction to the lubricant used f/ my pap smear.  I am just now beginning to feel better.

4

I'm thinking about asking for Cipro. I've heard great things about it; however, I also heard that it comes with a terrible side effect that I heard the FDA is telling doctors not to perscribe patients that drug anymore because of it. Something about tendinitis I think... I emailed my doctor tonight about my concerns and the fact the last antibiotic stopped working halfway through.

5

Also, I forgot to mention I am allergic to pencillin. I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics it seems so that also makes treatment choices limited and hard for me. They did do an antibiotic susceptible test and a weird class of drugs came up for my UTI.

6

My goodness, bless your heart!  My urologist gave me Cipro.  I understand about drugs affecting some and not others.  I would keep going back to the dr. to find out what can be done to relieve your discomfort.

7

It's not odd at all for the first course of antibiotics to fail to kill all of a UTI, especially one allowed to percolate for months as you've described.  I've regularly needed as many as three courses to completely get rid of a UTI and, once gone, not have another one for a couple of years or more.  Also, be aware that cranberry juice/tablets are *extremely* acidic and could be adding to the burn of the active UTI.

I've been given Macrobid (or its generic) more often than any other antibiotic and I can't remember a time that I've been given less than a 10 day supply.  Macrobid is an excellent med for a UTI since it specifically targets infections of the urinary tract.  

You state you've been diagnosed as still having a UTI but not what the doctor did.  Didn't he give you another prescription?  What you do is get another cycle of antibiotic and take *it* exactly as prescribed.  Some infections are going to be more significant than others and take longer to clear up.  I would add to that to continue pushing water but stay away from anything acidic such as cranberry juice/tablets until the infection is fully cleared.  After that, make cranberry a part of your daily routine since it *does* help keep bacteria from clinging to the lining of the bladder.

Are you in the United States?  If so, get Azo tablets to take for the burning and discomfort.  They are over-the-counter and available everywhere in both the national brands and in store brands (cheaper).  My doctors have always recommended them to me.

8

I would ask for another cycle of Macrobid...NOT Cipro.  The Cipro family is notorious for having side effects such as bloody or black, tarry stools,

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings, changes in skin color, changes in urination, chest pain or discomfort, chest tightness or heaviness, chills or fever, clumsiness or unsteadiness, confusion, continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears, coughing or spitting up blood, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse, headache, severe and throbbing,hearing loss, hives or welts, joint stiffness, large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, light-colored stools, muscle pain or stiffness, nausea and vomiting, nightmares, numbness of the hands, pain in the joints, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs, pounding in the ears, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or, tongue, redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest, seizures, severe abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning, shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet, skin rash, swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination, unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness, white patches in the mouth and/or on the tongue, yellow eyes or skin.

These side effects can occur long after you initially take the med from the Cipro family.

9

Surprisingly, for me cranberry juice has been helping to soothe the burning. It's when I drink orange juice or any other juice and even eat spicy food that's when I'm in trouble. So I've been staying away from that, but sometimes I forget myself and...burn.

My doctor just emailed me with the lab results this evening before she left the office. I saw the email a few hours later. She was telling me that because the bacteria that grew on the culture was so little usally that amount isn't treated unless it's causing me symptoms. So I wrote her back saying that it is and I would like to take the necessary steps in getting rid of it. I have to wait go her response when she gets back into the office tomorrow. Plus it doesn't help that I've been on a lot of antibiotics since january for different issues. I don't know why but this was the year my body wanted to catch a bunch of bacterial and fungal infections. From strep throat to a GI infection, yeast and now a UTI. When my UTI was first found the doctors didn't want to treat it because it was a small amount that at the time wasn't causing me to have symptoms plus I was being monitored for an unexplained case of non viral hepatitis. So doctors found it more important to monitor my liver instead of treat me for an issue that wasn't bothering me yet. After my liver enzymes returned to normal I developed a yeast infection and so they assumed it was that causing me to have burning. Long story short I must have had this UTI for probably 54-5 months and it kept getting covered up by other issues that it got to the point where I can no longer ignore it.

10

Also, yeah I 'm in the US. I will look into getting the Azo first thing in the morning. My doctor had prescribed me a prescription strength version of AZO. I was taking that while on the macrobid and it helped, but i stopped because the dye in my urine was staining my clothes and kinda creeping me out. I will use it again. Something has got to give at this point. The burning gets soo uncomfortable it makes me feel like my whole region is on fire. (Sigh).

11

Yeah I'm starting to think that perhaps these doctors put on a too little course of antibiotics. I have always heard UTI can be difficult to get rid of .i never thought it would happen to me. I will talk to my doctor in the morning. Her office is closed now. Hopefully we can come to some kid of resolution of this problem soon.

12

Use pantiliners while taking the Azo and while treating a UTI since discharge is quite often on overdrive.

13

Female urologists seem to be more knowledgeable in treating uti's, I found this to be true with my issues.

14

Ok everyone so here's an update to my situation. My doctor finally got back to me just now and said I may have "interstitial cystitis". She didn't perscribe me any antibiotics and instead referred me to an urologist. I do not agree with the doctors diagnosis. I refuse to believe that is the case. I am still experiencing burning while urinating and I am having discharge from my urethra whenever I go to the bathroom. Plus bacteria grew on the culture. Why is something that is so routine the doctors cannot treat properly?! I'm getting frustrated because I've been this way for weeks an no one is doing anything about it. If bacteria grew it's obvious I still have a UTI!

15

She should give you something in the meantime while waiting for appt. call her !

16

Interstitial Cystitis is not an infection.  It's a condition affecting the lning of the bladder (also known as 'painful bladder syndrome&#39 and is often difficult to treat. Therapies may include medications, physical therapy, and biofeedback. Antibiotics haven't been shown to help with painful bladder syndrome.

It's often mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI), but there is no infection.  Symptoms include bladder and pelvic pain or pressure and a frequent urge to urinate.

No single treatment works for all people with IC/BPS.  Treatment must be chosen for each patient based on symptoms.  Patients usually try different treatments (or combinations of treatments) until good symptom relief occurs.  It is important to know that none of these IC/BPS treatments works right away.  It usually takes weeks to months before symptoms improve.  Even with successful treatment, the condition may not be cured.  It is simply in remission.  But, most patients can get significant relief of their symptoms and lead a normal life with treatment.  

Most treatments are aimed at symptom control.  IC/BPS treatment is often done in phases with constant monitoring of your pain and quality of life.  It is important to talk to your health care provider about how your treatments are working so that together you can find the best treatment option for you.    

17

At this point I'm switching to a different doctor altogether. I tried getting an appt with a urologist and the earliest availability is for August 25th. I'm fed up with my medical group it's obvious they don't care. Even a family member of mine who works as a nurse in another state told me that if bacteria is still growing on the culture u STILL have a UTI. No bacteria should be growing on a urine culture. Plus the fact I'm still having symptoms regardless of how small is a sign I need to kill it off. They let it grow for too long. Now I'm concerned about bacteria resistance. I'm starting new job in a few days they would never let me call out of work to handle this. I've just so frustrated I want to curl into a ball and cry. This is inhumane... I don't believe I have this disorder. In my heart I KNOW I don't. I have a stron gut feeling they are wrong

18

Hi! I think this is some important information since I've been in your position for about three weeks now (I know, the pain sucks). I too have went to several doctors...regular doctor, urologist, etc. I was put on three different antibiotics: Bactrim, Cipro and Nitrofurtonin. At first the back pains and extreme pain went away, but the burning didn't even after I was done with my course of antibiotics. I finally went to my gynecologist yesterday, and she gave me a cream called RECTICARE (lidocaine 5% anorectal cream) which is over the counter. I suspect the burning when you pee is not from UTI but from the irritation the antibiotics gave you (which is what my gyn told me when she saw my irritated urethra). THIS CREAM HELPED ME IMMENSELYYY within an hour. So please, visit your gynecologist and maybe she can tell if your urethra is irritated and prescribe you a cream.

19

Also you mention burning and discharge which is caused by the rounds of antibiotics you took. I had yeast too, after taking two rounds of diff antibiotics. My gyn told me that sometimes taking too much antibiotics wipes out the natural flora /bacteria in your vagina. The cream works well for both--creditted nyc gyn

20

This sounds very familiar.  Several months ago I had a sharp then dull pain in my groin area, concerned it was appendix I went to the ER, they assured me it wasn't that, but that I had a uti, I was in shock because the only two I ever had I would have terrible symptoms razor blade feeling when peeing....however that is what it showed, so they prescribed 3 days of macrobid.  Unfortunately I only got through two doses as it made me so sick I could not take another pill.......so back to my family doc and she prescribed a sulfa which I had tolerated in the past.....three days into that I started getting itchy and then short of breath, so off to the ER, they told me to stop, did a urine sample and I was in the clear not more antibiotics YEAH!!!!  The dull pain was still there and would come and go but I was thankful I was done with these meds.  Fast forward to now 5 months later one evening I am feeling like peeing after I pee, thinking it was because I was drinking a lot due to the heat wave, I started drinking the real tart tasting cranberry juice and bought a bladder cleanse in case it was a start of something.I past it off, but as the days followed it was becoming bothersome....I got two samples done which showed WBC but the culture said three or more organisms found probable contamination, so they ordered a pelvic ultra sound, which showed that there is an issue with post voiding and I am going to be reffered to a uroligist.  Still not explaining the discomfort I went to two different ER and my urine test came back negative both times, I finally saw a nurse practitioner who despite the urine coming back normal she sent it for a culture.....after three days it showed growth of strep b and it is senstitive to penicillan....hmmm last time I took that I broke out in a rash.....so they are trying amoxcillian seeing I tolerated it in the past.....I am on day three and every time I take it I get extreme itchy and a scratchy throat, the pharmacist told me to take an antihistamine, but if I get swelling to go to ER right away....easier said than done when I am here alone with my kids day and not and not a lot of support.  I was precribed for 7 days three times a day, I have reduced it to twice a day seeing I am senstive, which can still work....I am not sure I can take this for 7 days, but I am going to try.  I really question if my UTI really went away from the last time, as I have been so careful and taking cranberry daily.  I can't seem to finish the full doses due to sensitivity, it is very frustrating.  On a referral list to see an allergist to get desensitized, that will be one less concern if I get any future one.  Hard to clear infetions when you can't tolerate the medication.