I Thought I Had Symptoms Of UTI - Urgency And

Posted on Wed, 15 May 2019

Question: I thought I had symptoms of UTI - urgency and frequent bathroom runs, burning of genital area, ache in bladder, fatigue, etc. Went to doctor who did urine test and said there were white blood cells and signs of blood in my sample, so she prescribed nitrofurantoin. Two days later, she called and said they did further test of my urine sample and I don't have a UTI. Said to stop taking the antibiotic. But I was starting to feel better! She wants me to come in for further testing to see what else it could be. I don't know what to do.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
in some persons, the infection is not shown with the testing

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is possible that you did have a UTI but it was not detected by the lab testing.

An article in 2013 (Summary of the article written for patients on webmd) and a medical study conducted in Belgium in 2017 (summarized in medicalnewstoday), found that some of the tests used may not detect the infection that is present.

Some persons do not have an infectious reason for symptoms but the symptoms are due to inflammation/irritation of the bladder from chemical/interstitial cystitis. Cystitis refers to irritation/inflammation of the bladder.
The exact reason that interstitial cystitis occurs is not entirely clear

In some cases, though the lab does not show an infection, the antibiotics are continued esp if there has been improvement

You may want to discuss this option

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (7 minutes later)

Thank you for your response, I was very surprised that the doctor wanted me to stop taking the meds, as I was not feeling so much urgency today, and then all of a sudden she says I don't have infection! I have never been diagnosed with a UTI before, but I definitely felt bad all last week, very tired and lots of pressure in bladder area. I would like to continue taking the meds, as I paid for them and I was improving. This lady is not my regular doctor, she was filling in for my doctor who was not available. Should I keep taking the meds? I don't feel like having all sorts of unnecessary testing done.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
if improving, testing should not be necessary

Detailed Answer:
HI

Once symptoms are significantly improving, continuing the medication is definitely an option because it indicates that an infection was likely present though not detected by the lab.

You may want to consider discussing this improvement with the doctor, her recommendation may change and tests should not be necessary if you are getting better

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (3 minutes later)

Thank you, I am going to do that, I think I have or had an infection and it is in process of going away. What is the point of stopping the meds now? I will contact doctor's office about it. I appreciate the information, you verified what I suspected. Thanks, again!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
no problem

Detailed Answer:
Wishing you all the best

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar