What is wrong with me ?

[rob1965]

I am a 42 yr old male in good health.5ft 9in 170lbs into exercise. Two nights ago I was running 2 miles and felt an urgent need to urinate.I thought this was unusual since I had just gone prior to running.This was the second night of running outdoors since last fall.I had been running and active all winter using treadmills and eliptical trainers so I am in shape.I was running in a hilly area and completed two miles in about 16 minutes,so it was at a good pace.When I got back I had an urgent need to urinate. I was shocked to see blood/ light in color (pinkish)throughout the urination.After going I continued to have urgent need to urinate for the next 2 hours with little dribbles coming out.But the blood did clear up.I drank 5 glasses of water to flush myself out and it all seemed to clear up rather quickly.The next moring I took one of my wifes Macrobids thinking I had a bladded infection.After reading the internet naturally I becamed frightened of bladder cancer, kidney cancer ect.I went to an Urgent care facility where they did a urine test.The doctor said that he did  not see an infection but this could have been due to the macrobid taken 7 hrs earlier.he said not to worry and follow up with their Urology department in two weeks if I had any other problems.Translation to me  he did not care !Could the macrobid have cleard up the infection in the urine test that soon ? No further blood for two days but I do feel a tinge of burning.What should I do ?Not worry ?I am currently on Phenazopyrid and Ciprofloxacn. I am going on vacation for two weeks today and this has just wrecked it for me.I have been on a low carb diet for the last 2.5 months and have lost about 20lbs if that matters. Could the blood in the urine been due to jogging outside up hills? Now I am afraid to exercise!! Help I do not want to go thru un needed tests                      

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is possible for the Macrobid to result in a negative test.  

I agree with the urology referral.  Infection, bladder disease, kidney stones or intrinsic kidney disease can all lead to the symptoms you are describing.  Obtaining a prostate exam, CT scan of the kidneys and cystoscopy can all be considered in evaluating the blood in the urine.

Exercise may infrequently lead to blood in the urine, however I would rule out more serious causes first before attributing it to this.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in consultation with a urologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_