Health question - UTI?

jil05

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As usual when I need advice I run to The Cat Site! I hope that it doesn't fall too much under the category of TMI.

A few days last seek I had light pink after I urinated. I didn't think too much of it as I have fibroids and I thought it might be from that.
Now the last two days it has gotten a bit heavier and I am having to run to the bathroom, plus mild discomfort.

I am currently fighting a bronchial/penumonia asthma deal which I have had for almost two weeks and was given Z-pak, 6 day steroid treatment. I should have went to the doctor sooner but was waiting for pay day. Maybe I am having a problem from fighting an infection for so long?
I didn't mention the blood in urine because I thought it had stopped when I went to see him three days ago.

How worried should I be? Will the Z-pak help any infection I might have- UTI or kidney? Will the steroids help? I've never had a UTI before so I don't know what I should do. My doctor will be in on Monday and I will call him then. I know you are not doctors but has anybody been through anything like this that you can give me some advice to make me feel less stressed?

Thank you!
 

strange_wings

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I wonder if you have or already passed a small stone? Since it's the weekend, and I doubt you'd want to go to the ER over something like this, just make sure to drink plenty of fluids - water preferably. It might help flush things out a bit. Be careful taking anything, like acetaminophen, in the meantime in case it is your kidneys.
 

alicatjoy

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I'm not a doctor, but am well versed in urinary tract infections and kidney infections (as well as stones) as I have suffered with them through most of my life. First off, I'm sorry you're struggling with bronchitis/pneumonia and asthma -- I just recovered from bilateral pneumonia with bronchitis and it was a very difficult road. I can say that it does get better, but it also takes time. Many vibes to you .

As far as the Z-pack is concerned, the generic name of the medication is Azithromycin (as I see Sharky has already posted). It is an excellent antibiotic, but is more suited toward treating the pneumonia and bronchitis than a UTI. It can be used as an adequate treatment in some situations, but it is not one of the medications typically used to treat such infections (I do not have personal experience with it as I am allergic, but my information came from both my primary care doctor and a number of urologists). Antibiotics more commonly used are of the sulfa group, cephalosporins, or fluoroquinolones. Common brand names are Bactrim, Macrobid, Keflex, Cipro, and Levaquin. I know there are many others, but Azythromycin is not typically used.

Being that you're experiencing blood in your urine, that would be a major red flag for me. And, while I know it would be easier to wait until you could speak with your doctor on Monday, I would recommend going to the emergency room or an urgent care. However, since you're also dealing with the pneumonia/bronchitis, I'd perhaps try to get in touch with your doctor or his or her office first. In many cases, a doctor on call is always available and would have access to your file. While it could be just a simple UTI, it's possible that it's already gone into your kidneys. Blood in urine is one of the main symptoms of a kidney infection and, from experience, I know that such infections can become severe quickly. It can also be a sign that you have or had kidney stones. And, while doctors typically take the wait-and-see approach with stones, some stones can become lodged causing a blockage. In any urinary tract issue, it is almost always best to be proactive. Waiting can often make most situations far worse.

I could list many symptoms of kidney infections, but I'd rather just recommend going to the ER or urgent care (if getting in touch with your doctor is impossible). Regardless of whether it's a UTI or a more complex infection, your body is already fighting off a massive infection -- its best to get things checked out sooner rather than later. Sepsis and kidney failure can occur even from a common UTI. I don't want to scare you, but it's dangerous to wait. Trust me, I've seen, first-hand, what UTI's and kidney infections are capable of.

No matter what you decide, I wish you well. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just need support. We're all here for you. Vibes to you .
 

stephanietx

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Also, remember that steroids suppress your immune system and stress causes your immune system to go haywire, so you've kinda got an oxymoron going on in your body. The blood in your urine really needs to be checked out ASAP. I'd go to the urgent care center if you have one in your area or call the doctor's office, especially if you're having any discomfort or pain when urinating. There is an OTC medication for the pain which the pharmacist can help you find at the pharmacy.
 

natalie_ca

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Originally Posted by stephanietx

Also, remember that steroids suppress your immune system and stress causes your immune system to go haywire, so you've kinda got an oxymoron going on in your body. The blood in your urine really needs to be checked out ASAP. I'd go to the urgent care center if you have one in your area or call the doctor's office, especially if you're having any discomfort or pain when urinating. There is an OTC medication for the pain which the pharmacist can help you find at the pharmacy.
You should get to a doctor asap. You seriously don't want a bladder infection extending up into your kidneys....which it will do if you wait and it spreads.
 
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jil05

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Thank you all for your replies. I have not done anything in regards to this matter yet, because my mother fainted the night that I wrote my post and I was more worried about her than myself. I was a bit relieved to see that the Z-pack does treat some UTI's.

My mom is feeling a bit better now, but very weak. She has some kind of flu and I can't get her to go to the doctor. She is very stubborn and just says that she will be fine.

I called my doctor today to speak to him and was told that he is very busy and that he probably wouldn't be able to call me back.
Yes, I will be finding a new doctor.

As for the bleeding, it is less and most times not there and then appears again. I am thinking (and praying) that it is from my fibroids. It does not seem to be in from the urine now. I have been drinking lots of fluids and cranberry juice just in case. I took a UTI test twice and both times it came back negative but I know that the result can be affected by the antibiotics.

It's late now, I'm tired with this infection, and my mother is worrying me, so I think maybe I will try the gynecologist route tomorrow.

Thank you for all your help as usual.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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I hope you are better. If not, SEE a doctor. You are taking a chance when you see bloody urine to do otherwise. It can be a sign of some pretty serious things, although I hope not in your case.
 
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jil05

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Hi everybody,

Just wanted to drop a little post follow-up to let you know that I did get to the doctor. He is fairly certain it's the fibroids so I am very relieved. He did give me a small dose of levaquin in case it is a UTI and just not showing up on the test. I will be following up with the gynecologist.

Thank you all for your help, and for your light pushes to get it checked out.
I'm a bit embarrassed and feel I should have known the difference but at least now I can relax a little bit and know it's not something serious.

P.S. Mother is doing much better!
 

strange_wings

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Good to know. I hope your follow up visit with the gynecologist gets something done.


And your mother should have seen a doc about the fainting. Chances are it was related to low oxygen levels and just how rough a virus is on your body, but that's still bad. Only if a person has a history of fainting from a known condition (such as I do) can it be ignored.
 

alicatjoy

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I'm happy to hear that you were seen by the doctor and that you don't have a urinary tract infection or kidney infection. I don't know much about fibroids, but it sounds as though you'll have some answers where they are concerned following your appointment with the gynecologist. And, it's also good to know that you were put on antibiotics in case there was a slight infection.

However, I do have a word of caution where Levaquin is concerned. I was recently on a 14 day course of Levaquin to treat pneumonia and, while it worked well, I was left with an achille's tendon injury. It seems that Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones (such as Cipro) have a tendency to weaken your tendons. I wound up with a partially ruptured achille's tendon after just walking on it. So, please use caution while on Levaquin and afterwards. I know the margin for having this side effect is slim, but it wasn't something I was informed about (I did read it on the paperwork I received from the pharmacy, but it wasn't something I was alerted to by my doctor) and I'd hate to have read this and not said something -- especially being in the situation I'm in now.

Regardless, good luck. I wouldn't necessarily worry about the Levaquin, but just keep it in the back of your mind. I'm glad to hear both you and your mom are feeling better. I hope it keeps up and that you find some answers at your appointment with the gynecologist.

.
 
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