Have you ever had a UTI?

liz4paws · June 2014

I had some pressure, back pain, and mild cramps last Tuesday that earned me an impromptu trip to the OB. They suspected a UTI, third trimester baby position (oh well), or preterm labor. Preterm labor was ruled out through FFN and pelvic exam, so they sent urine off to the lab for returned results expected 48 hours, but I never heard back. I called on it today since I still have this horrible bladder sensation, and I learned they lost my urine sample. Wahhhhh.....Anyway, since it would take yet another 48 hours for them to get the results back from the lab if I gave them another, they are going to treat me as though I have a UTI based off of my symptoms alone even without knowing for sure. They've prescribed Monurol and I'm supposed to pick it up and take it today.

I feel kind of hesitant taking something for a UTI I'm not even sure I have, but I guess the alternative is to have a rogue infection going on in there which I suppose is worse. I'm going to do it.

So for the ladies who have experienced an actual diagnosed UTI, what were your symptoms?

Mine: Pressure on my bladder, especially when I stand. Position definitely makes a difference in level of discomfort. Sometimes it takes my breath away and makes me have to bend over to alleviate it. No burning, not real consistent back pain, although there was some lower back ache last week. I feel like I have to go to the bathroom at least every 30-45 min, and sometimes I'll go and the pressure seems even worse after I go. And when I lay down on my side, it seems to improve. I told this to the nurse this morning and she thinks it's classic UTI. I figured it was just regular ol' pregnancy symptoms. I'm just skeptical because I've never had one and it changes depending on my position. Just curious if that matches up with the ladies who have genuinely had one?

liz4paws · June 2014

ThoseThreeWords said:

IDK...we are at the same stage and the past few days, I've had a lot of bladder discomfort and frequent trips to the bathroom. It seems that mine is more fetal positioning, because I get a lot of relief when I move/stand/lay. Also, I can feel it get worse when the baby repositions.

I'm not a fan of taking antibiotics unless I REALLY need to. Can you call your OB and see if you can take something like Azo (OTC) for some relief until you get more results? I think it was on my RE's safe list.

What a PITA that they lost your lab stuff. :P

ETA: feel better!

@ThoseThreeWords - thanks for replying! Yeah I'm hesitant, but I expressed my concerns to the OB big time this morning and they think the risk here of ignoring it any longer is worse than the posed risk from the antibiotic, which is minimal I guess. Seeing how I've had this for over a week, they don't want to wait around another 48 hours before results without medicating me. I am, however, going in on Wednesday and will give a sample then so either way, a sample will be had. Really irritated they lost it!

So let me ask you since you're right, we are at around the same stage. Do you feel pressure on your bladder even after you've gone to the bathroom? Sometimes I feel like that is when it is at it's worse, which is obviously backwards. How often are you going? And does it ever become debilitating when you walk to the point where you have to bend over?

orange1414 · June 2014

I think it's hard to distinguish the symptoms, but I've had UTIs that I didn't treat expediently and wound up doubled over in pain, having a hard time walking, and running a fever. And you definitely don't need that! So, I'm in agreement with your dr. Better to treat the possibility than wait any longer at this point. UTIs can go from annoying to dangerous pretty quickly. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon.

Lizarella82 · June 2014

Please do not chance going without treatment for a UTI! I did that a few years ago (while not pregnant, obv) and ended up in the hospital with a abscessed kidney for 4 days on IV antibiotics and fluids. If my BF at the time had not made me go to the ER I might have lost that kidney- UTIs can be very serious and it is important to take the antibiotics even if they don't have confirmation that you have an infection. Your symptoms sound very much like "classic UTI" as the nurse said- the positional aspect may be fetal position aggravating the infected organ.

liz4paws · June 2014

Thank you for all of the responses! I just picked up the Monurol and chugged it at work. Fingers crossed!

Saintelizabeth · June 2014

I had a few UTI's in college from my BF and I having too much "fun" is how I will put it

I experienced cramping with the sensation of having to pee every couple minutes though half the time nothing would come out. I haven't had a UTI in years but I remember they sucked, I hope you feel better soon!

Side note: at college the health clinic would give girls this pill to help, that would make your pee bright orange and leave a ring in the toilet. You could always tell when someone on my floor was on the medication!

darby17 · June 2014

Hey Liz,
I have had lots of UTI's and they are the worst. (none since I have been pregnant though) There is actually an over the counter test now that can tell you if you have a UTI. It is available at the pharmacy and basically you pee on a stick and it will tell you if you have a UTI (we are all good at peeing on sticks)!
I agree that if you do have a UTI you should treat it ASAP, it can turn into a kidney infection and you don't want to deal with that while pregnant. But if it is just bladder issues due to pregnancy, then you wouldn't have to take the antibiotics.
Good luck - hope you feel better!

WA1215 · June 2014

darby17 said:

Hey Liz,
I have had lots of UTI's and they are the worst. (none since I have been pregnant though) There is actually an over the counter test now that can tell you if you have a UTI. It is available at the pharmacy and basically you pee on a stick and it will tell you if you have a UTI (we are all good at peeing on sticks)!
I agree that if you do have a UTI you should treat it ASAP, it can turn into a kidney infection and you don't want to deal with that while pregnant. But if it is just bladder issues due to pregnancy, then you wouldn't have to take the antibiotics.
Good luck - hope you feel better!

Ditto this. They actually sell uti test strips at the dollar tree. Have you thought about going to your PCP? Both my GYN and PCP are able to test my urine immediately while I'm still in the office (I get UTIs a lot). Hope you feel better soon!

Danielle0311 · June 2014

I had a uti that turned into a kidney infection and my symptoms at first were the constant urge to urinate but not a lot coming out, burning when I was and wasn't peeping, pressure in my lower abdomen .. When it got worse I got a fever and had upper back pain.. I hope you feel better soon ((hugs))

2MamazInSeattle · June 2014

Hey Liz! So I have had a couple and for me, mostly characterized by needing to pee constantly (like every 5 minutes) but no pee comes out.

One thing I would call out is that my 27w kidney stone started with UTI-like symptoms earlier that day. Please pay attention for flank pain (side of your back/mid-back) that can trail down into groin pain.

Good call to take the antibiotics, UTI can fester fast as PPs have said!!

beachy6 · June 2014

Hi Liz! What you're describing sounds like what I just went through with my UTI. I was peeing every 10-15 minutes, or at least trying, but nothing would come out. My back hurt and my bladder hurt.

However, the week after my UTI was dx, my tilted uterus was pushing on my bladder and caused the same sensations. When I'd lay on my side, it moved my uterus and I could pee just a little. It would take me over an hour to completely empty my bladder.

As far along as you are, it's possible that your uterus is compressing your bladder, but also very probable that you have a UTI. Good idea to take the med so you don't have an infection going on. At least after the med has a chance to work, you'll know which it is!

Hope you feel better soon!

Allison7 · June 2014

I am glad to hear that you took the antibiotics. UTIs can move quickly into you bladder and then your kidneys. Your regular doc should actually be able to test right away to see if there is infection. The test for 48hrs is a urine culture that tells the doc which bacteria is causing the uti and which antibiotics work best. If at any point you notice blood in your urine (this can happen) you need to call your doctor right away because the infection is progressing towards your kidneys. Hopefully, since you took the meds yesterday, you are starting to feel a little bit better already. I have had a good amount of UTIs in he past and I can say that your symptoms seem pretty classic.

liz4paws · June 2014

Thanks so much ladies. It's hard to say if its in my head or not, but there are times today where I swear I might be feeling a little bit better. I hope that A) It was/is a UTI and

the meds fix me right up!

Have you ever had a UTI?

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