UTI's

[deedee100]

I am a 57 year old woman that has had UTI at least three times in the past two years.  I noticed approximately 2 months ago that my urine was foul smelling - so I began taking cranberry capsules and drank a lot of water. That seemed to subside it for awhile. About a week ago I had alot of uncomfort and when going to the bathroom, had bright blood and later in the night it turned to dark blood throughout the next day.  When cultured I was possitive for E.C. and my RBC and WBC were elevated.My doctor put me on Sulfa.  About a year ago I also had very uncomfortable right lower right backsided pain in the approximate area of the kidney and was on vacation.I did find cranberry capsules and took them at that time and that seemed to subside as I did not want see a physician where I was vacationing. When sending my urine in for a UA and cultures this past week as well as in the past, they do most of the time come back with signs of blood. The last few times in the past I have been put on Sulfa which seemed to help.    

Now, after being on Sulfa, I have very cloudy urine and have gone through the entire prescription. Did have some lower quadrant back pain, not much but that I knew it was around my kidneys.  When urinating and at the end of emptying my bladder I feel pressure or discomfort.  

What do you recommend..?  

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

I wonder if your infection has been cured, though cloudy urine, by itself, does not mean that there is an infection. I think that you need to return to your physcian and get a mid-stream urinalysis and urine culture. If there are still signficant numbers of bacteria, then they need to be treated according to the results of the sensitivities. If there are significant numbers of red blood cells in your urine and no infection, then you need to get an x-ray study of your kidneys/ureters and have a cystoscopy (looking into your bladder with a lighted telescope) by a urologist.
Your taking cranberry pills may not be doing much for an actual infection, though the symptoms mat resolve for a while.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.

This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. It
does not  necessarily reflect the opinions of Henry Ford  Hospital  or the
Vattikuti Urologic Institute.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic
and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical  condition

[deedee100]

Thank you for your advice and will seek additional medical care. This time really scares me and the fact that there was so much blood - as well - is pushing me to seek additional help.  Thank you so much for your professional help.