Hi.
About 3 weeks ago, I came down with a typical bladder infection. I was prescribed Bactrim for 3 days. At the end of the 3 days I no longer had the pain upon urination, but I was still feeling a constant burning and need to urinate. I was put on another 3 days of Bactrim. At the end of those three days I did not have a constant burning feeling, but would have an occaisional episode where it would hurt and burn and it would pass. These episodes have continued for the past 3 weeks. The symptoms seem to get better if I have fluid in my bladder. For example, when I get the feeling of burning, I drink a very large glass of water and after my bladder fills, the burning resides. The burning seems to be more apparent if I am dehydrated and have not had a glass of water for an extended period of time. I bought the AZO self test kit for urinary tract infections and it came back negative for both nitrates and wbcs. My history involves a ruptured bladder at the age of 2 and I am very prone to bladder infections. I have had several over the last few years. I have not changed sexual partners in 5 years and there is no question of std's.
My question is, Are these symptoms indicative of an ongoing infection, or can these symptoms be a part of something else? I am baffled by the negative test result with no pain on urination but a burning that is relieved by downing a glass of water and "rinsing" my bladder.
Any help would be appreciated.