Kidney infection? Urine culture was negative though?

[lenyc333]

I had a kidney infection a few months ago.  i recovered....very slowly!  But for the past few weeks I have been having pain in the right kidney area again.  Its not as bad as it was when i was in the hospital last time, but at times its bad.  i went to my urologist who tested my urine.  I did have white blood cells in my urine which indicates an infection, but the culture came back negative???  Tested again, and still negative.  Is it possible that the test missed the infection twice??  Could it be something else?  No fever this time, but i am very dizzy all day lately.  That could be from other meds i am taking though.  My GI issues are under control now, so i know its not that.  I have had two CT scans and they were fine.  Any ideas what could be going on??  Thanks!!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Are you still currently on antibiotics?

If not,when was the last time you took your antibiotics?

Intake of antibiotics may affect the results of your urine culture.In rare instances, especially with a medical history of travel,the organism involved may require special culture media. Example of which is tuberculosis. Do you have any previous exposure to someone with TB? Any history of travel lately?

[lenyc333]

Hi, thanks for responding!  I have been on antibiotics a lot.  I got C. diff so i have been on and off vancomycin since february.  I also just started macrobid cause my new urologist thinks i may have an infection or reflux.  i was in aruba in january before all this started.  i am waiting to hear the results of my latest urine culture.  but the pain is bad again.  the doc thinks i may have a reflux from my bladder up to the kidney.  

i dont think i have been around anyone with TB??

[hotrodgirl]

I tried posted this earlier and it didn't take, maybe it will this time!

First let me say that I'm not making any medical claims, this info is from my own experience.

You say you have C-dif.  Have you ever tried Primeal Defense?  You can find it at most Health Food stores.
My dad and aunt had C-dif.  They were given flagel and vancomicin, but the meds didn't help much.  After taking PD, their symptoms were better in 1-2 days.  
Primeal Defense is just Good Bacteria.  C-dif can be deadly if not got under control.  Your body needs the Good Bacteria.

Now, have you ever heard of IC (Interstitial Cystitis)?  It's a painful bladder disease - not deadly but painful.  The symptoms mimick a uti but in most cases no infection.  Some symptoms are frequency, urgency, lower back pain, goin pain, kidney pain, burning, itching, etc.  Symptoms are different for each person.  Might be worth checking into.

Good luck to you

[lenyc333]

Hi, I have never heard of IC.  I will look into it.  I have a test tomorrow to see if i have a Vesicoureteral reflux.  Thats when urine from your bladder goes up to your kidneys.  Luckily I found a new urologist who seems to be on top of things and wants to test me for other problems other than UTI's.  My old urologist said there is nothing he can do for me after my culture came back negative.  He said that I don't have an infection so there is nothing wrong....moron!  I have a lot of pain in my right kidney.  Not so much in the bladder area which is what you get with IC...from what i have read about it so far.  I do have some burning, but not too much urgency to urinate.  

Thanks for your advise.  I will definitely mention it to my doctor.

[hotrodgirl]

Actually, the pain can "travel" to other areas.  I feel the bladder pain in both kidneys from time to time.  The lower part of my back stays sore.  When I have a flare up or spasm, the bottom of the heels get so sore.  Some mornings I feel like I can't even walk.

IC is different for each person- no two people are alike and this makes IC hard to pin down.  For me, sitting on a hard surface, walking too much, eating citrus-spicy foods-caffeine-canned vegetables....all make me have spasms.  I had IC for Years and never knew that's what was wrong with me.  I just thought I had a bad back.  I never had the urgency, frequency,etc until I had a hyster back last Sept.  I got a uti from the cathter, but after the infection was gone, I still had the symptoms....just no infection.  My ob/gyn sent me to a Uro and he found my problem.  He's such a good doctor, I just love him to death!

Now don't forget about the Primeal Defense for the C-dif.   I really think you'll see a difference in a few days.

Best of luck to you!

[lenyc333]

well, just back from the doctor and I do not have a reflux.  so, once again another doctor tells me that he has no idea what is wrong with me!  i feel like i am going nuts!  this is the 4th urologist i have been to in a matter of months.  they all test me than say i dont know why your having pain??  i forgot to ask him about IC today, but i will call monday and ask him.  

do you take pain killers for the pain from IC??

thanks so much for your help!!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

You have mentioned of pain in the kidney area which I would assume is in the lower back. Your culture results have always been negative and there is no evidence of reflux based on your tests. CT scan results also appeared to be within normal. The only significant finding so far based on your post is the presence of WBC in the urine. At this point, I think the urine culture is negative due to the intake of antibiotics.

Interstitial cystitis may be a differential here however, do you experience increased urinary frequency which seems to heighten at night? Any pain with sexual activity?

The pain of IC is located in the lower abdomen to the perineal (area between anus and genitals). Is this similar to your case?

I would suggest that you also have a complete pelvic examination done just to rule out underlying involvement of these structures.

[hotrodgirl]

No pain killers for me.  I do take Prosed Ds.  It does give me relief.  The thing about IC is that every patient is different.  I sure didn't fit the IC pattern and neither do a lot of people.  You should ask about it.  There is a website wwwdotic-networkdotcom.  Check it out, speak with other people.  You may find you're problems are common with theirs and then again you may find it's not even your problem at all.

I do wish you the best.

[lenyc333]

Thanks for your help!  I have some irritation and burning when I urinate which leads me to believe that I do have an infection