I have dealt with this problem all of my adult life. I get UTI-like symptoms on and off, which are the following -
- Painful, burning urination
- Soreness of genital area
- Frequent urge to go, but nothing comes out (this is the worst symptom, enough to drive me up the wall)
- Sometimes general flu-like symptoms, fever, bodyaches, etc.
I have been to many doctors for this. When I have these symptoms, my urine cultures do not show blood in my urine, and I test negative for a UTI. The PCP thought I may have an STD, so sent me off to be tested.
I have been to many OB/GYN's for this. I have been tested for every STD under the sun, and retested - all tests come back clean.
No one has any answers for me. Doctors shrug their shoulders at me, or prescribe me the medications for a UTI anyway which makes the symptoms subside as long as I am taking the medication, but once it is done they come back. I am at my wits end.
The symptoms show up almost exclusively after sex (and the longer spent having sex, the more likely I am to get the symptoms). My BF and I are religious about being clean before and after. I urinate before we begin, I clean my genital region before we begin. He washes hands and entire groin area. Then we both repeat the ritual again after we are done. And believe me, all of these precautions dont exactly help with romance in bed either - me having to ask him before he touches me "Are you sure you washed up first?" because I am scared of getting sick again. Or jumping out of bed right after we are done so that I can clean off.
Still nothing has helped. I have upped my intake of fluids on a daily basis until I am peeing my brains out. This helps alleviate symptoms when I am having them, but does not make it so that I don't still get sick. I have tried lowering my intake of caffiene and alcohol too, thinking they may be triggers.
The worst part is that I am 23 and I am scared that I might be suffering from a bit of incontenence now that I have had these symptoms so many times and for so long. It's hard for me to tell though because the symptoms of being sick are feeling like you are incontinent. But when I have to go, I have to find a bathroom immediately, there is no holding it. When I am doing heavy exercise, I can feel myself leaking a little, and I don't know how to stop it.
I am so frustrated. I have tried searching the web for answers and have found nothing. Please, anyone, tell me what I can do! Since my symptoms are related to sex, it has really put a damper on our sex life. We have great sex but I feel doomed afterwards because I will often spend at least a few days suffering for it!
katiebug
Posted: 24 Sep 00:01
Has any urologist done a cystoscopy, IVP (Pylo.), or a CT of your pelvis with IV contrast? I am wondering if you have an anatomical matter which is being overlooked and causing irritation at the neck of the bladder or is there an abnormality higher?
sera300
Posted: 24 Sep 00:01
i had the same problem since i had my daughter 8 months ago and all the uti tests came back negative. then suddenly one morning about 2 weeks ago it became terrible, i went to the doctor and they tested me again and finally said i had a really bad bladder infection but i had tested negative before so just be careful. Turns out that when i had a cathiter for 5 days during labor it all started then. I know its the most miserable feeling in the entire world!! I'll pray for you :)
dkrk8706
Posted: 24 Sep 00:01
Your symptoms are classic for an infection but could be caused, as sera indicates, by an anatomical anamoly. The first thing I would do is put you on a double-length regimen of anti-biotics with appropriate vaginal cream for fungus. There is a danger here because killing off the bacteria allow the fungi to grow wild and that could be a contributing cause.
The I would refer you to the best reputation gyn (gyn, not ob-gyn) in the area.You may end up with an infectious disease specialist because you have clearly emptied a few doctors' bags of tricks.
As I write, it occurs to me that you could be unknowingly sharing some microbe (not necessarily STD) with your boyfriend. You are each keeping the infection at a really low level by your fastidious hygiene but the little creeps could be living in his urethra. Whenever either partner experiences a UTI, I put each on anti-biotics and insist on cleanliness and condoms until both have completed the drug regimen. Ask whatever doctor you see next to consider that approach.
Brandye
Posted: 24 Sep 00:01
