Strep infection in urine

[essdipity]

What next? This is my second UTI in 2 months. The last one was a bacterium called proteus, and now strep. No symptoms except a peculiar and unpleasant odor, but I guess an infection is an infection. I'm to start amoxicillin right away, and see my urogyn next week. I can't help but wonder if the cathing could somehow be at the root of this. I've never gotten UTIs in the past.

This comes on the heels of my less than good strength evaluation by a PT, which I posted about this morning under Berg Balance. I'm also waiting for the report on my swallowing testing last week. Meanwhile, I'm dealing again with the boat-rocking vertigo that had been gone for a year. I think that came on because of the nasty virus I had recently.

So I guess this is just b!tch b!tch b!tch. Now I'll go quietly...

Actually I'm fine, all things considered, and send good wishes to everyone.

ess

[Quixotic1]

This all just sounds horrid.  I'm sorry you are going through it.  Yes! All infection can trigger relapses.  Anything that stimulates the immune system is likely to cause a flare and infections are #1, 2, and #3 on the list.  

My neuro told me from day one that at the first sign of increased symptoms it is mandatory, in his eyes, to do a CBC and urinalysis.

Yes, you need to discuss all the measures that might decrease them with your urologist, sterile catheters, antiseptic wipes,  increasing your fluid intake, cranberry juice - anything.  \\

Keep us posted.

Q

[Momzilla]

So sorry, my friend!

I was tied up on the phone with Elaine today, and then busy with the boys! Will try again tomorrow!  If I'd known you were such a catch, I'd have ditched Elaine!!

I honestly don't think they'd let laypeople cath themselves if there was such a risk of infection and  the benefits outweighed the risks, know what I mean?

I have a day and a half squeezed into one tomorrow, but will try my best to phone you.  Will PM you.  

Love and Hugs,

Toodles,

Zill*

[Wobbly]

sorry to hear your having such a tough time with this... hope it finally clears up abit for you..

take care
wobbly
undx

[Fluffysmom]

ess,

I'm sorry you're going through this.  

I'm not up on cathing; I've only had it done by doctor's or nurses, so I don't know exactly how you do it, just that it's probably not a whole lot of fun.  Better than the alternative...

I was wondering, do you use a little wipe before you cath, kind of like what you use for a clean-catch urine sample?  If not, would that maybe help?

hoping you feel better soon,

Kathy

[sllowe]

WTF Essy! Wish this weren't happening... I think the prophy will be moreso external, just my guess.

Hope it clears quickly.  Feel better soon.

Sending love back to you...

[essdipity]

My goodness, such compliments! Way way overblown but still much appreciated.

Lu, I hadn't thought of UTIs causing flares, but it does sound possible. I think for me it takes something stronger, which is just what happened recently. As to cathing, you and I were given totally opposite instructions. You use a new cath each time; my uro thinks that's wasteful. I was told to wash the cath carefully in hot water and put it in a new ziptop baggie each time. (I buy the little snack size ones, store brand, so this isn't expensive, but I wonder how much more expensive all new caths would be. Baggies are wasteful too.)

Still, if the catheters aren't the problem, the process might be. We have all kinds of bacteria, err, nearby, and I'm wondering if somehow we don't transfer it no matter how careful we are, or how good at not fumbling, if you know what I mean. I will ask my urogyn this exact question, and I hope you'll ask yours too. The nurse said something on the phone about the doctor giving me a prophylactic med (have no idea how to spell that), but I don't want any more meds!

Zil, I'll be home today from around 10 to maybe 4. Have my French class this evening.

Love to all,

ess

[Heather3418]

I've met Ess in person, she is as pretty as you would think, from her voice.  Her voice is the soft, sexy type.  Too bad I am not a guy.  She's a real beauty.

Love ya girlfriend,
Heather

[Momzilla]

Not good at all!  I'm sorry you're going through this.  Even with cathing...

Feel better.  I tried phoning you last week.  Will try again tomorrow. (You're right -- you're voic isn't deep like my mother-in-law's at ALL! Sweet and pretty!!)

Feel better!

*

[Lulu54]

Hi Ess,
I'm pretty sure I am brewing my third uti in 3 months, so I'm right on pace too.  The first one i can't blame on the cathing, but the next two most definitely make me wonder.   My insurance is paying for plenty of supplies so I don't reuse the catheters.  They figure new ones  cut down on the UTI's - hah! Our alternative is not pretty so we must keep with this.  

I was thinking earlier about the connection between infections and exacerbations/relapses. Between your virus and your UTI, perhaps you have your system so off kilter and the vertigo is a symptom in response to those infections?  

just guessing,
Lu