I have been battling UTI's off and on for probably 6-7 years now. I am 23 years old. No other major medical problems - just this one. I have been tested for all STDs (last test was in Sept.) and have come up negative. I am clean, I am careful about everything I do down there, and I have even watched my diet because I have heard that certain foods/drinks can cause UTI irritations.
I have been given rounds of antibiotics each time I go to the doctor - the UTI clears up, but I get them again. In the past I was getting them as frequently as once a month. I have one now and this has been the first time I've gotten one in about a year. I was never put on any kind of long term medication for the UTI's. I have seen several doctors and gyno's for this problem, no long term solution has been found.
Recently I got a cold, sinus infection or something. I am currently without health insurance so I was trying to avoid going to the doctor - just taking OTC meds for it. Then I got a UTI that showed up just a day ago, on top of this cold. The UTI makes things unbearable. :( This is not the first time this has happened. I don't get sick very often but when I do, I find that UTI's almost always come with whatever other illness I am dealing with. This makes me think that maybe I do not really have UTI's, or maybe I have been carrying around this bacteria forever and the symptoms only show when my immune system is weakened for some other reason. Have any of the other medical professionals on this board heard of this happening? What can I do? I fear that either I do not have a UTI, or that the bacteria causing my UTI has become drug-ressistant. I can't think of any other reason. It seems too odd that I would always get a UTI whenever I am sick with something else unrelated.
From what I've heard from my doctors, there are two medications typically prescribed for UTI's. One is Cipro and I can't remember what the other was - but I have allergic reactions to both of these meds so I am not able to take them. I can't remember the last antibiotics I was prescribed for a UTI since it's been awhile but I do know that everytime I go to the doctor, they have trouble finding a good medication for me because of my allergies.
Last question - who should I be going to about these UTI's? I've seen GP's and Gyno's - but don't get much different info from either. Which do you recommend for treating a UTI. I have thought of trying a Urologist but they are not exactly easy to get appts with right away, and without health insurance are very very expensive. I am considering going to sit in the emergency room to see who will come to see me there - but again, the expense!!
Please help.
I am in the uk so i dont worry about medical insurance. But I have your problem! I have for the past year. SO many tests to be told i will grow out of it! What an insight after paying £500 in tests (NHS waiting list is months had to go private for quick tests grr)
Whenever i go away, know i might have sex, or feel i have a UTI i simply go to the dr and say "yeh same old, can i get the trimethoprim please!" It the drug i use.
I either do that or the dr said they could start me on a permanent low dose drug so i dont get them. Either way i still feel your pain. Its just sucks.
See a urologist ........ on who specializes in women's urology issues.
i did hence the 500 pound waste! grr he goes "i wash my hands i cant find anything!" grr
Nothing to be said. These things can be devilish to solve with the patient in front of me. I am not about to try through the mail.
Do you have a recommendation of how to find a good urologist? Is there a website that rates doctors, should I call around and ask the receptionists? I don't exactly have friends to ask for references when it comes to this.
[quote=katiebug;202721]Do you have a recommendation of how to find a good urologist? Is there a website that rates doctors, should I call around and ask the receptionists? I don't exactly have friends to ask for references when it comes to this.[/quote]Talk with those in your area and doctor "shop" do not be afraid of seeking several options to find one which best suits you. Look up docs near you in the yellow pages and see what they are certified in and what their claim to fame is. I say see three...consult and then choose the best fit for you. Look for those who specialize is women's sexual health, or ask you gyn/or GP for some recommendations and see what you find and what they suggest....shop around.
its been long since posting. Ask a gp and, as in my case, they will forward you onto a specialist if you want to go private or book you into their system with the NHS if you are in the uk. I ended up accidently getting an appointment with each. But note the NHS took 6/7 months to get my a appt. whilst private i was the following week.
I hope this helps.