UTI, antibiotics,and other things!

[ccorina]

Hi all,

I know alot of you experience UTI's so I was wondering if I could get some input.

I went to the hospital with severe abdominal pains, chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, fullness, etc, and they found an infection so they gave me five days of some combo antibiotic (can't remember what) and something for stomach acid thinking that caused the chest pain, fullness, etc.

Then a week and a half later I went back with the same problems.  The infection was still there so they gave me five days of Cipro and changed the stomach acid med.  The bloodwork and xrays came back normal and they referred me for an ultrasound which who knows how long that will be! (I live in Canada)

Now I'm finished the Cipro and still have all the same problems.  So my question is:  Is it OK to keep taking antibiotics if there not working?  Should 2 courses of antibiotics fix an infection?

Besides the infection, I have no idea what's causing all the other symptoms, but I'm thinking maybe spasity.  The pain is all on the left side mostly right by my belly button.  But I also have a very tight "something" on the right side.  It doesn't hurt at all just feels very solid and not on the left.  So I'm thinking maybe it's an abdominal muscle?

Thanks for all your help!

Corina

[ccorina]

Thanks for the comments guys!  I guess I'll just have to keep going and see about getting another antibiotic.  I just found out that my ultrasound is scheduled for June 2.  So maybe I'll learn something then...

Corina

[Lulu54]

Not all antibiotics are created equal.  I did a round of cipro last summer which was not the right drug for the bacteria I was growing with my UTI.  I did several months of antibiotics, trying to kick it until  it finally won and I ended up in the hospital last fall with sepsis.  The uti had ascended into my kidneys and went for a free ride into my blood stream.  

It is tiring trying to get it cleared but absolutely essential.  These infections can be a real bugger to kick. It doesn't matter how long you are on antibiotics - you have to get that infection cleared.

Infection can kick off all sorts of problems for us, and escalate the spasticity.  

good luck with feeling better -
Lulu

[Sidesteps]

I have had frequent UTI's - I've had more than 15 in three years.

They started doing cultures and some of them have come back negative for bacteria. Cipro still helped those so the urologist indicated sometimes the infection is not in the bladder but in the urethra and it "hides" the bacteria (won't show up on the cultures.) I have tests I have yet to get done because I just started a new job. I might try to take a day off and schedule a bunch of tests back to back.

Still take your medicine but I'd go back in to the doctor. It could be that you need a different type of medication or there is another issue that was missed.