May have had UTI a few months, antibiotics haven't worked, now have night sweats, shakes, and extreme discomfort. Help!

[Plasmatic]

Hey, I'm really worried and upset at what I think is a urinary tract infection in advanced stages in some way or another. I'm 18, a girl, and not sexually active.

About four months ago, I had a couple of days where I needed to urinate constantly, I was in real discomfort, hot and cold etc. I thought it was just a little cystitis or something and that it would go away. I drank lots of water and took painkillers, and the more painful symptoms were eradicated.

Since then, I've often experienced random 'twinges' of pain after urination, then throughout the dat. However, I didn't really think much of it. I've also found since then that sitting in the same position (e.g. the cinema/movie theater) for a long time has caused discomfort and slight numbness around my genitals, I guess.

However, about a week ago, the symptoms have worsened again. I've found that after urination, I'm in much discomfort, cannot sit still, can't concentrate, slight burning sensations and feeling pretty bad. These symptoms last for around two hours after my morning wee, and for around four hours after an afternoon wee. When I urinate before attempting to get to sleep, it is impossible to lie still and takes me a long time to get to sleep due to the burning, numbness and general pain.

At this point, five days ago I visited my GP. I only explained my most recent feelings, not the ones from few months back, which I should have thought of. I was prescribed a three day course of antibiotics, which I have taken. The situation has not improved. Last night, the discomfort when trying to sleep was awful, and after taking paracetamol I managed about two hours sleep and woke up around 3am, unable to sit or stand still. I was sweaty, felt really hot and I was shaking really quite badly for around an hour in which I drank three large glasses of cold water, to cool myself down and take my mind off the pain.

I saw a second GP this morning, and I brought in a specimen this time. However, it was from my first wee of the morning, and due to large amount of water, it was very weak indeed, and didn't smell like my other 'wees' have recently smelt like. The GP did a dipstick test and said there was nothing abnormal, but said he'd send it off to a lab. Would the fact that it was very weak hide anything, and would I need to get a better sample? He couldn't offer me any other advice, only to take lots of painkillers, which I'm already doing.

I can't take this anymore, and I'm worried that what I originally just left to 'clear up by itself' has developed into something worse that can't be just treated with antibiotics. What are your thoughts?

Thanks you so, so much.

[MSKshelly]

Keep in touch and let me know how your doing!  Hope you get the help and answers you need!

Shelly

[Plasmatic]

Thanks so much! I'm going to see my GP tomorrow, and I'll bring this up, because I need this sorting. I think, like you said, I'll ask for a referral to a urologist, our hospital is very good, so hopefully I'll be in luck there.

Thanks for the links too, I'll check them out. You've put my mind at rest a bit as the worst thing is not being diagnosed with anything at all, and just feeling all paranoid!

[MSKshelly]

It is very likely that you have either chronic cystitis and interstitial cystitis.  When an infection goes on untreated or undertreated it can go into a chronic low level infection that does not show up on standard UA test.  The symptoms of IC and chronic cystitis are the same and a good urologist can diagnosis it with time.   I would encourage you to get a referral to a good urologist and ask them if they treat complicated infections and IC.  

In the meantime there are some things that can help your bladder pain.

We have an IC support forum here on this site actually two:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Interstitial-Cystitis-IC--Pelvic-Pain-Support-Forum/show/412

The expert forum where you can actually ask the doctor here on Medhelp is here also:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Interstitial-Cystitis-/show/264

I am also an IC support group leader for MOARK IC.  There is an article specifically on the difference between these and some self help tips as well.  If you would like the link to these or more info on IC, please feel free to send me a private message.  We are not allowed to post contact info or direct links outside Medhelp in the pubic areas!

Hope this helps!  Hang in there you are not alone, you are not crazy your symptoms are pretty classic for women with these conditions.

Shelly