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Urology (Expert Forum)
repeated UTI/urine sediment
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
repeated UTI/urine sediment
by wheelcheer, Oct 31, 2003 12:00AM
Please help me...I am a 55 yr old paraplegic with a neurogenic bladder, using intermittent catherization proceedure for over 10 years with good success, having had only 5 UTI's in all that time.
Three months ago I had some chills and low grade fever and sent urine specimen into my urologist...I was first put on several antibiotics, Cipro, Bactrim, Trimethropem..to name a few, then put on Macrobid, twice daily for 7 days, symptoms stopped and urine was clear, then after 2 days off medication, my urine ran clear except at the very end...it looked like there was some kind of sedimentation at the very end, it was sort of cloudy..my question, what is that "cloudy" substance at end of my catherization process....do I still have the UTI?...Also, I take in 64 oz of water daily and catherize three times a day.
Last visit to my urologist I told him of a tiny bead of "white substance..looking alot like a bead of semen" sometimes appears at the head of my penis and that I was concerned about what it was, he assured me and said it was just probably irritation of the urethra due to catherization..I also told him that after I catherize, I can feel a sensation in my urethera that sometimes last a few hours. I maintain excellent hygiene before and after I catherize and only use sterile gloves and catheters and prep my penis with betadine..a recent PSA test indicated that it was "elevated"...my doctor said he was not surprised seeing as how i had a UTI at the time the blood test was taken.
Is it normal for there to have that "cloudy substance" towards the end of my catherization even tho the initial flow of urine appears clear?
I've been battling this present UTI for three months now, should i be concerned?...Please help me...
Three months ago I had some chills and low grade fever and sent urine specimen into my urologist...I was first put on several antibiotics, Cipro, Bactrim, Trimethropem..to name a few, then put on Macrobid, twice daily for 7 days, symptoms stopped and urine was clear, then after 2 days off medication, my urine ran clear except at the very end...it looked like there was some kind of sedimentation at the very end, it was sort of cloudy..my question, what is that "cloudy" substance at end of my catherization process....do I still have the UTI?...Also, I take in 64 oz of water daily and catherize three times a day.
Last visit to my urologist I told him of a tiny bead of "white substance..looking alot like a bead of semen" sometimes appears at the head of my penis and that I was concerned about what it was, he assured me and said it was just probably irritation of the urethra due to catherization..I also told him that after I catherize, I can feel a sensation in my urethera that sometimes last a few hours. I maintain excellent hygiene before and after I catherize and only use sterile gloves and catheters and prep my penis with betadine..a recent PSA test indicated that it was "elevated"...my doctor said he was not surprised seeing as how i had a UTI at the time the blood test was taken.
Is it normal for there to have that "cloudy substance" towards the end of my catherization even tho the initial flow of urine appears clear?
I've been battling this present UTI for three months now, should i be concerned?...Please help me...
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Nov 02, 2003 12:00AM
, Nov 02, 2003 12:00AM
The way to tell if you still have a UTI would be a repeat urinalysis and culture.
Regarding the white substance - it is difficult to say what it is. If infection is a concern, I would have it cultured for various types of urethritis (i.e. chlamydia, gonorrhea etc.). If there is a concern about the prostate (especially with the elevated PSA), then a transrectal ultrasound can be performed to look for any abscesses.
There are many variations in the appearance of urine, so the best way to make sure that it is clean would be the urinalysis and culture.
Because of the neurogenic bladder, you will be prone to chronic colonization of bacteria. Unless this is causing symptoms (i.e. symptoms of UTI), they are not usually treated with antibiotics. If it is causing symptoms, you may want to consider a consult by an infectious disease specialist.
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.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Regarding the white substance - it is difficult to say what it is. If infection is a concern, I would have it cultured for various types of urethritis (i.e. chlamydia, gonorrhea etc.). If there is a concern about the prostate (especially with the elevated PSA), then a transrectal ultrasound can be performed to look for any abscesses.
There are many variations in the appearance of urine, so the best way to make sure that it is clean would be the urinalysis and culture.
Because of the neurogenic bladder, you will be prone to chronic colonization of bacteria. Unless this is causing symptoms (i.e. symptoms of UTI), they are not usually treated with antibiotics. If it is causing symptoms, you may want to consider a consult by an infectious disease specialist.
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.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Member Comments
by RandyJRT, May 21, 2008 11:13AM
A related discussion, Where does my urine sediment build up come from? was started.
