Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

[Mr Stelios Doumouchtsis]

For those women with recurrent UTIs I am happy to discuss queries.

[Sarah12]

Hello,
I have been having recurrent UTIs for about a year.I sometimes had positive urine samples,sometimes not.I had cystitis type symptoms.I was sent to a urologist and had a CT scan and a cystoscopy.I didn't see a doctor after the camera but the nurse gave me a prescription for a low dose antibiotic-macrodantin 100mg to take at night.I got a letter about a week later to say the cystoscopy was fine.I got a copy of the CT result from my GP,it just mentioned tiny calcific densities in the pelvis,along the lines of the ureter.There is no follow up appointment.
I do feel a lot better and noticed straight away that I could hold on for much longer before needing the bathroom,before this I was constantly going to the bathroom and only passing a small amount of urine.Each doctor I saw seemed to presume this was all due to sexual activity event though I am not sexually active.
I did sometimes wet myself when I got up in the morning.I am on this course about 1 1/2 months now and am noticing I still occasionally wet myself slightly if I sneeze or if my bladder is quite full.I was very overweight and have lost ten stone.I have not had children.Will the cystitis problem return when I stop the antibiotic?.Should I worry about this leaking?.Thank You.

[Mr Stelios Doumouchtsis]

Your symptoms sound like you have mixed incontinence ie stress incontinence (leakage on coughing) as well as urgency incontinence (cannot hold when you need to go). This seems to be in addition to your recurrent infections which may make the urgency and urgency incontinence symptoms worse.
Increased weight is an aggravating factor for both types of incontinence so weight loss is highly recommended.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is usually advised for at least 6 months but depending on the cause and the contributing factors it may be indicated for longer.
The fact that your symptoms are improved whilst on antibiotics shows that this treatment is probably effective.
Pelvic floor exercises are first line treatment for both types of incontinence.

Best regards,