Aa
Relapse Update/UTI
Well here I am at 48 with my first ever UTI feeling very fed up. I think the likelyhood is that I have had it for some weeks without realising it. I also am wondering if I had one last time I had a relapse as I remember feeling chilly then. I had no symptoms that I would have picked up on as I have just been feeling unwell from relapse for weeks now. So my reason for posting is to put out a red flag to other relative MS newbies who are still learning what this horrible condition does to our bodies.The only symptom I had was feeling very cold and chilly but I just figured this was all part of the relapse.
On another matter please can anyone advise what is the best thing to do about probiotics? I assumed that it is best to take them in a week's time when antibiotics course has finished so would appreciate some input. I have made an appointment to go to see GP in a week to make sure infection has cleared up and review steroid position.
I don't often have a rant and am probably known more for my calm, reasonably happy outlook but watch out this sparkysarah feels a little close to igniting. I realise I am feeling crabby, irritable, hormonal and generally so bored of feeling unwell and am probably projecting this onto anyone who crosses my path even when they are being nice to me. I went to church on Sunday and several people kindly said how nice it was to see me as most people know (thanks to Mum and Dad!) that I have been unwell and in relapse. They all assumed that because I was there and had sung with the choir that I was better. I just did not have the energy to say that actualy there wa NO improvement and I did not want to go into possible uti's etc. It just highlighted to me how hard it is to explain to people when we are poorly and that relapses can last months.
I can feel my family's expectation that after 5 weeks Mum should be better and their sympathy dried up a long time ago. Not sure that my hubbie has ever got in touch with his as I think he is still in denial and always so busy as he is setting up his own business at present.
So that is the first rant and the second is that I feel a bit irritated (for the very first time) with my MS team. my MS nurse did not ring me today as agreed on Friday to give me the UTI results. I left her a message this morning and when no reply rang back on another number and found she was not in. So maybe she was unwell...but I needed my results and would have hoped if she was not there that someone else would have checked important outstanding matters. So then had to wait for the prescription to be faxed through to my surgery and then for my GP to finish evening clinic to Ok it and get the antibiotics. Anyhow I hope that within 48 hours I may feel better as I am still hopeful I won't need the steroids that are sitting looking at me in an ever growing mountain of tablets.
Oh I forgot to mention that my MS nurse said that I had been showing leukocytes in my urine (spelling?) over several months and that for some people this was the norm. Well why was this never sent off to a lab earlier to check it out and make sure if it was my norm or not? I certainly had no idea or experience of having had a UTI. I shall learn a lesson from this in future relapses and be more proactive to ensure I do not have a UTI as I read that 80 - 90% of people with MS get them. There was I smugly thinking/hoping I was in that 10%. No such luck...BOTHER (polite expletive in place of real one in my head!)
Well that feels better and if it wasn't for the fact that my body really can't deal with alcohol, I would be having a nice gin and tonic now. Never mind..I will imagine it and have some home made elderflower cordial instead.
As well as the probiotics I have purchased some 1000 Vitamin C tablets and also cranberry tablets. Any other suggestions welcomed as I desperately want to feel better. Dang it I forgot this is not within my control... not that I am a control freak.....but I hate the unpredictability of MS.
Love Sarah x :- ( (who needs some new spark plugs in her to give her back her mojo)
On another matter please can anyone advise what is the best thing to do about probiotics? I assumed that it is best to take them in a week's time when antibiotics course has finished so would appreciate some input. I have made an appointment to go to see GP in a week to make sure infection has cleared up and review steroid position.
I don't often have a rant and am probably known more for my calm, reasonably happy outlook but watch out this sparkysarah feels a little close to igniting. I realise I am feeling crabby, irritable, hormonal and generally so bored of feeling unwell and am probably projecting this onto anyone who crosses my path even when they are being nice to me. I went to church on Sunday and several people kindly said how nice it was to see me as most people know (thanks to Mum and Dad!) that I have been unwell and in relapse. They all assumed that because I was there and had sung with the choir that I was better. I just did not have the energy to say that actualy there wa NO improvement and I did not want to go into possible uti's etc. It just highlighted to me how hard it is to explain to people when we are poorly and that relapses can last months.
I can feel my family's expectation that after 5 weeks Mum should be better and their sympathy dried up a long time ago. Not sure that my hubbie has ever got in touch with his as I think he is still in denial and always so busy as he is setting up his own business at present.
So that is the first rant and the second is that I feel a bit irritated (for the very first time) with my MS team. my MS nurse did not ring me today as agreed on Friday to give me the UTI results. I left her a message this morning and when no reply rang back on another number and found she was not in. So maybe she was unwell...but I needed my results and would have hoped if she was not there that someone else would have checked important outstanding matters. So then had to wait for the prescription to be faxed through to my surgery and then for my GP to finish evening clinic to Ok it and get the antibiotics. Anyhow I hope that within 48 hours I may feel better as I am still hopeful I won't need the steroids that are sitting looking at me in an ever growing mountain of tablets.
Oh I forgot to mention that my MS nurse said that I had been showing leukocytes in my urine (spelling?) over several months and that for some people this was the norm. Well why was this never sent off to a lab earlier to check it out and make sure if it was my norm or not? I certainly had no idea or experience of having had a UTI. I shall learn a lesson from this in future relapses and be more proactive to ensure I do not have a UTI as I read that 80 - 90% of people with MS get them. There was I smugly thinking/hoping I was in that 10%. No such luck...BOTHER (polite expletive in place of real one in my head!)
Well that feels better and if it wasn't for the fact that my body really can't deal with alcohol, I would be having a nice gin and tonic now. Never mind..I will imagine it and have some home made elderflower cordial instead.
As well as the probiotics I have purchased some 1000 Vitamin C tablets and also cranberry tablets. Any other suggestions welcomed as I desperately want to feel better. Dang it I forgot this is not within my control... not that I am a control freak.....but I hate the unpredictability of MS.
Love Sarah x :- ( (who needs some new spark plugs in her to give her back her mojo)
Congrats to your son Sarah!! Proud moms deserve kudos too. You go right ahead and brag all you want. Your mood looks blank. Go ahead and fill it up with your joyful pride.
That's good news on clearing the UTI. I'm glad to hear they did a recheck. It doesn't always happen that way. I've been taking the cranberry capsules for somewhere around a year. Bladder infections haven't been a problem for me but I figured it was something I could do pretty easily to prevent development of something that can become chronic quickly.
You might want to check into the vitamin C use. It's usually indicated to boost the immune system. I had taken it for years (the orthopedic surgeon started me on it a few months before he did my knee replacement). I stopped for some reason and I'm pretty sure it was connected to the MS diagnosis.
I think you are better off not bothering with the other stuff. It's risky to start taking something that makes us feel better before getting treatment because often we end up not getting the treatment we need when we need it. You might want to look into those at home dipstick tests for urine though so you can keep an eye on your suffer-in-silence bladder.
Mary
That's good news on clearing the UTI. I'm glad to hear they did a recheck. It doesn't always happen that way. I've been taking the cranberry capsules for somewhere around a year. Bladder infections haven't been a problem for me but I figured it was something I could do pretty easily to prevent development of something that can become chronic quickly.
You might want to check into the vitamin C use. It's usually indicated to boost the immune system. I had taken it for years (the orthopedic surgeon started me on it a few months before he did my knee replacement). I stopped for some reason and I'm pretty sure it was connected to the MS diagnosis.
I think you are better off not bothering with the other stuff. It's risky to start taking something that makes us feel better before getting treatment because often we end up not getting the treatment we need when we need it. You might want to look into those at home dipstick tests for urine though so you can keep an eye on your suffer-in-silence bladder.
Mary
we have so many Sarah's, I am going to have to come up with a new name for me!
still learning tho, from everyone's comments.
Nice explanation about finishing the antibiotics before going on steroids.....am filing that one in my "do not forget" list.....
still learning tho, from everyone's comments.
Nice explanation about finishing the antibiotics before going on steroids.....am filing that one in my "do not forget" list.....
Hi Mary
Thank you so much for your input and helpful explanation about the inflammation. I have now finished the course of antibiotics and went and saw my GP today. She tested my urine and it is now clear. She said that I had an unusual bug but they used the corect treatment for it and it is good that it has cleared.
I am feeling just slightly better and had already made the decision that the steroids are staying put and I told my GP and left a message with my MS team today that I have decided after 7 weeks I am not now going to resort to steroids. I know that I will need them in the future and as my Mum had osteoporosis I am lik.y to be more genetically inclined to follow suit. She developed late asthma at the age of 40 after haivng sarcoidosis and long term steroid use has not helped her bones so I do not want to resort to them unless absolutely necessary
Just one other honesty comment here. I checked up on a lot of the products that all you kind folks mentioned and feel I shoudl come clean and tell you that as I live in the UK most of the suggested OTC produces are not available here although I expect I could get them online from USA if I wanted. However I have decided to try taking cranberry tablets, 1000 mg of vitamin C and I am also now taking probiotics having finished the anti-biotics.
I still do not really understand the immune system in MS but your explanation helped me a little. I have had lots of other minor things going on such as mouth ulcers, a cold sore and my ear was sore where the pierced hole is (pierced about 34 years ago!) I am hoping that my body is going to be kinder to me very soon.
However on a positive note, I shall be taking something from this latest chapter in my MS journey. I am almost 100% certain that I have had UTI's in the past without realising (before I was dx'd with MS) and never went to the GP as I got to the stage of always feeling a hypochondriac with another "apparent unexplained virus" and so just struggled on at home on my own never having anti-biotics. I can now see that the pains I had in my tummy were probably caused by urine infections that I had no idea I had and this led to relapsesthat I thought were viruses. It is easier with hindsight to understand the symptoms. So I shall be vigilant in the future!!
OT. I am feeling a very proud Mum this evening and am bursting with pride as my eldest son has just had his results for his Honours Economics Degree from Exeter University and he has been awarded top marks of a first. Just had to tell someone!
Love to all and it was not too late to respond Mary..and greatly appreciated
Sarah x
Thank you so much for your input and helpful explanation about the inflammation. I have now finished the course of antibiotics and went and saw my GP today. She tested my urine and it is now clear. She said that I had an unusual bug but they used the corect treatment for it and it is good that it has cleared.
I am feeling just slightly better and had already made the decision that the steroids are staying put and I told my GP and left a message with my MS team today that I have decided after 7 weeks I am not now going to resort to steroids. I know that I will need them in the future and as my Mum had osteoporosis I am lik.y to be more genetically inclined to follow suit. She developed late asthma at the age of 40 after haivng sarcoidosis and long term steroid use has not helped her bones so I do not want to resort to them unless absolutely necessary
Just one other honesty comment here. I checked up on a lot of the products that all you kind folks mentioned and feel I shoudl come clean and tell you that as I live in the UK most of the suggested OTC produces are not available here although I expect I could get them online from USA if I wanted. However I have decided to try taking cranberry tablets, 1000 mg of vitamin C and I am also now taking probiotics having finished the anti-biotics.
I still do not really understand the immune system in MS but your explanation helped me a little. I have had lots of other minor things going on such as mouth ulcers, a cold sore and my ear was sore where the pierced hole is (pierced about 34 years ago!) I am hoping that my body is going to be kinder to me very soon.
However on a positive note, I shall be taking something from this latest chapter in my MS journey. I am almost 100% certain that I have had UTI's in the past without realising (before I was dx'd with MS) and never went to the GP as I got to the stage of always feeling a hypochondriac with another "apparent unexplained virus" and so just struggled on at home on my own never having anti-biotics. I can now see that the pains I had in my tummy were probably caused by urine infections that I had no idea I had and this led to relapsesthat I thought were viruses. It is easier with hindsight to understand the symptoms. So I shall be vigilant in the future!!
OT. I am feeling a very proud Mum this evening and am bursting with pride as my eldest son has just had his results for his Honours Economics Degree from Exeter University and he has been awarded top marks of a first. Just had to tell someone!
Love to all and it was not too late to respond Mary..and greatly appreciated
Sarah x
Sarah, I wanted to make a special note about those STEROIDS you have on hold and didn't want it to get lost in my last response.
Please be VERY sure the UTI is clear before you consider using any steroid treatments. If your flare is related to the UTI, the MS symptoms may subside on their own once your immune system isn't in high gear defending your bladder and kidneys.
Steroids work against inflammation by supressing the immune system. Infection that is brewing under the radar or presently contained by normal body defenses can ignite into a raging mess when steroids are brought into the mix.
I know you have been trying to make the tough choice about whether it is a good idea to try steroids to get through this persistent flare. I don't want to make it harder. Just wanted to make sure you had as much information as you need. I know you will do what's right for you.
Sorry I'm so late chiming in here (my standard anymore...) I hope you are feeling well by now and can store all the knowledge you have gained from this adventure for another day far down the road.
Mary
Please be VERY sure the UTI is clear before you consider using any steroid treatments. If your flare is related to the UTI, the MS symptoms may subside on their own once your immune system isn't in high gear defending your bladder and kidneys.
Steroids work against inflammation by supressing the immune system. Infection that is brewing under the radar or presently contained by normal body defenses can ignite into a raging mess when steroids are brought into the mix.
I know you have been trying to make the tough choice about whether it is a good idea to try steroids to get through this persistent flare. I don't want to make it harder. Just wanted to make sure you had as much information as you need. I know you will do what's right for you.
Sorry I'm so late chiming in here (my standard anymore...) I hope you are feeling well by now and can store all the knowledge you have gained from this adventure for another day far down the road.
Mary
Jan is so right. Pyridium (and OTC treatments that contain it) can help ease the symptoms of your UTI but never cures. Cystex has a different ingredient. It claims to prevent escalation of infection until you can consult a physician. That's a day or two. No cure there either.
These products are good to keep you from ripping someone's face off while waiting for the office to get their staff, reports and procedures figured out so you can start on an antibiotic. An Rx from the doctor is essential.
Unless you are switched to another drug mid-stream (oh, that's bad), you MUST follow the dosing schedule prescribed until every last pill is GONE. Why? If you don't, the bug lives and has been empowered to better survive that drug the next time it shows up.
If you continue to have symptoms after antibiotics are finished, request a repeat urinalysis and culture. When we have MS, we spend too much time in medical environments where super-bugs are abundant. You may need a super-antibiotic to fly in and save the day.
Mary
These products are good to keep you from ripping someone's face off while waiting for the office to get their staff, reports and procedures figured out so you can start on an antibiotic. An Rx from the doctor is essential.
Unless you are switched to another drug mid-stream (oh, that's bad), you MUST follow the dosing schedule prescribed until every last pill is GONE. Why? If you don't, the bug lives and has been empowered to better survive that drug the next time it shows up.
If you continue to have symptoms after antibiotics are finished, request a repeat urinalysis and culture. When we have MS, we spend too much time in medical environments where super-bugs are abundant. You may need a super-antibiotic to fly in and save the day.
Mary
Jan, thanks for the advice.......I am on Cipro and I take the muscle relaxant at night only, I get a UTI about once a yr but this is the first without s/s........
I have noticed with this one that its harder to start the flow and it starts and stops and then starts again.......so will keep a watch on it.......
I have noticed with this one that its harder to start the flow and it starts and stops and then starts again.......so will keep a watch on it.......
Wow - you went all those years without one? I'm amazed. BUT - sorry you have to experience it now. I too have had them since I was a child, and now have Interstitial Cystitis, which often makes me feel like I have a UTI, yet don't. I have had Rx for Peridium and other bladder pain meds for ever, and recently had the misfortune of developing nausea everytime I take one. There are several drugs I used to be able to take that now make me so sick I throw up. SOOOO - I have no relief. (The orange pee was wonderful compared to the symptoms!)
I have to pee 30 - 50 times a day often and when I feel really bad - fever from lungs, or severe pain - getting up and taking those few steps seems like an impossible act. When in the hospital, if I am really bad off - I make my doc give me a foley catheter.
I think now, the MS is making going harder which just adds insult to injury. AND PLEASE don't worry about ranting. If I couldn't rant now and then I'd go nuts!
Oh, and I wanted to say to those who also take the bladder pain meds - they don't help UTIs - only help the symptoms. If you really have the infection, you must take the antibiotics, or risk a serious kidney infection. NOT worth it! Mild infections can go away with a lot of flushing, but it is one time I don't fool around by not taking antibiotics. And believe me - I don't take many antibiotics - not even with pneumonia sometimes. So that's how seriously I take UTIs.
Glad it sounds like you're better (I think that's what you said lol) - my memory is going as we speak. Blessings, Jan
I have to pee 30 - 50 times a day often and when I feel really bad - fever from lungs, or severe pain - getting up and taking those few steps seems like an impossible act. When in the hospital, if I am really bad off - I make my doc give me a foley catheter.
I think now, the MS is making going harder which just adds insult to injury. AND PLEASE don't worry about ranting. If I couldn't rant now and then I'd go nuts!
Oh, and I wanted to say to those who also take the bladder pain meds - they don't help UTIs - only help the symptoms. If you really have the infection, you must take the antibiotics, or risk a serious kidney infection. NOT worth it! Mild infections can go away with a lot of flushing, but it is one time I don't fool around by not taking antibiotics. And believe me - I don't take many antibiotics - not even with pneumonia sometimes. So that's how seriously I take UTIs.
Glad it sounds like you're better (I think that's what you said lol) - my memory is going as we speak. Blessings, Jan
Spent 6 hrs in the ER couple days ago with severe back pain only to be told I had UTI.........you're kidding I said? Blew me away, I had no symptoms..................they are "hoping" the back pain is from muscle spasms, but the cocktail of cipro, flexerol, and ibuprofen was too much for me, had to drop off the flexeral and wait. Of course,the Torodal shot helped tremendously but only got one of those.......will wait til Monday and if no better will go back........the ER doc took note of my sliding R foot and asked if I was seeing anyone and told her had MS specialist appt in October coming up...........
Had many UTI when raising little ones but now seem to get them for no reason.........
Are these OTC meds available in the states?
Also learned that my "cocktail" of meds says NO vitamins, etc., within 6 hrs of taking them, so my vitamin pills get a week off........
Hope you feel better soon......I sure want to, if could get rid of this back ache!
Had many UTI when raising little ones but now seem to get them for no reason.........
Are these OTC meds available in the states?
Also learned that my "cocktail" of meds says NO vitamins, etc., within 6 hrs of taking them, so my vitamin pills get a week off........
Hope you feel better soon......I sure want to, if could get rid of this back ache!
I have frequent UTI's. It is painful & irritation to say the least. The AZO will help but I have found that CYSTEX works even better. It is also over the counter. Hope you feel better soon!
I have had UTI's since i was 12 years old. I remember my first one. It was awful and my mom gave mea giant pill to swallow. It made my urine turn orange but it worked. Snce then i know it is called piridium, spelling mqy be wrong, but I keep a stock of them in the house just in case. I have a phobia about UTI'S and the second i feel anything i pop a iridium and it helps.
I think the AZO product in the drug store over the counter does the same thing but it can't hurt to ask the doc about this. I think it might be a sulfur but I am not sure. Maybe someone else can chime in who has more experience with drug names.
Good luck.
I think the AZO product in the drug store over the counter does the same thing but it can't hurt to ask the doc about this. I think it might be a sulfur but I am not sure. Maybe someone else can chime in who has more experience with drug names.
Good luck.
Thanks everyone for kind supportive comments. Am I feeling better yet.....will pass on that one till I have finished antibiotics..... Never mind I have just had an indulgent afternoon and been to the cinema with a close friend who thought I needed taking out for a treat.
I will search on the internet for Azo and Ural and see what I can find.
Hugs to all
Sarah x
I will search on the internet for Azo and Ural and see what I can find.
Hugs to all
Sarah x
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry Sarah to have missed your rant, lol such a polite rant at that too!
UTI's are rather common for the women in my family, seriously i think i'd get one if the wind changed direction lol. Not sure if you can get this over your way but we all use a product called 'Ural' I first got it on script but then found it on the shelf at the chemist.
I got so use to UTI's in my 30's i always get out the trusty old 'Ural' first and only ever went to the dr when they hit my kidney's and i needed the antibiotics but still dr always recommends i keep using the 'Ural' anyway. It works for me and gets things cleared up a lot faster than just taking the antibiotics on there own.
Hope you find your spark!
Hugs.......JJ
UTI's are rather common for the women in my family, seriously i think i'd get one if the wind changed direction lol. Not sure if you can get this over your way but we all use a product called 'Ural' I first got it on script but then found it on the shelf at the chemist.
I got so use to UTI's in my 30's i always get out the trusty old 'Ural' first and only ever went to the dr when they hit my kidney's and i needed the antibiotics but still dr always recommends i keep using the 'Ural' anyway. It works for me and gets things cleared up a lot faster than just taking the antibiotics on there own.
Hope you find your spark!
Hugs.......JJ
Hi Sarah,
I had a UTI just before christmas. I had never had one before.
It made me me feel unwell but I also experienced stabbing pain when I had finished urinating.
Not that I had given it much thought but that was not what I expected a UTI to feel like!
Hope your feeling better soon
Hugs
Twist
I had a UTI just before christmas. I had never had one before.
It made me me feel unwell but I also experienced stabbing pain when I had finished urinating.
Not that I had given it much thought but that was not what I expected a UTI to feel like!
Hope your feeling better soon
Hugs
Twist
Sarah.
I am so sorry that is wretched. It takes at least 48 hours for the drugs to really kick in.
I had them drop the ball on 12 urinalysis is a row. All showed E.Coli and the labs said they were fine. I got really sick. I ended up on IV antibiotics. I have taken Probiotics on Doctors orders with Cipro 4 times a day. I do not know if that helps or not.
Hugs from across the pond.
Alex
I am so sorry that is wretched. It takes at least 48 hours for the drugs to really kick in.
I had them drop the ball on 12 urinalysis is a row. All showed E.Coli and the labs said they were fine. I got really sick. I ended up on IV antibiotics. I have taken Probiotics on Doctors orders with Cipro 4 times a day. I do not know if that helps or not.
Hugs from across the pond.
Alex
Sarah- I had a round of UTIs one right after another since before Christmas. This last time while waiting for the antibiotics i got a product called AZO at the drug store. It was a life saver as far as that horrible up and down urgency 100 times during the night. It turns your pee really orange so don't be shocked if this happens. It helped to at least calm the symptoms some. Hope this helps you.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
