CONSTANT burning, but not infections of any kind

[demusnic]

For the past three years, I have had burning when I urinate, however, have only tested positive for UTI a handful of times, been given antibiotics and infection cleared up, however the burning did not.  I have recieved numerous treatments from my urologist, including, checking my bladder retention (good), sonograms for anything abnormal (good), IVF treatments (didn't work), bladder distention and scope (nothing came up negative), and every antibiotic out there possible....NOTHING AND I MEAN NOTHING WORKS...i live on uristate, azo, and virtually anything that says fast relief of painful urination.  I am miserable, I must spend fifty dollars a week, on those medications alone, I have given up on my urologist, as I feel my body can't take another antibiotic, they don't know what is wrong with me, and they are just trying things to try them. I feel they have given up on me, and one even told me "i might or might not get better" I feel let down and frusturated, it affects my marriage and my every day life.  I have to make sure I always have my "medicine with me" because who knows when I am going to feel like I am on fire. I am a female, btw and I am miserable. PLEASE ANYBODY THAT CAN HELP ME SERIOUSLY i need it, I don't know what to do anymore, and this is drastically affecting my every day activities

[Dr Smitha Mathews]

Hi,

Sorry about the delay in responding to your post.

Renal or kidney stones are calcifications that occur anywhere between the kidney and the bladder. They can be silent stones, in that they do not cause any symptoms because they are nonobstructive. However, they have sharp edges and can easily cause local injury or can cause local damage to the kidney and predispose to UTIs.
This can be checked on a simple Xray of the abdomen and pelvis, and if any stones are found, they can be managed appropriately based on their size and location.

Vesicoureteral reflux is an abnormality of the ureteral junction that results in a reflux of urine. This reflux can cause repeated infections of the kidney and the urinary tract as some urine goes back up the ureters, and sometimes to the kidney also.
This can be diagnosed on radioimaging studies with a contrast dye.

Another factor you need to take into consideration is that your partner may have an infection which does not cause any symptoms in him but causes a severe infection in you.

If any organism is detected in urinalysis (either for you or your partner), you will need to insist on a culture sensitivity test and report and start treatment with antibiotics. This will give an idea about what drug the organism is sensitive and will prove effective therapy in eradicating the infection.

Do increase vitamin C in diet and add fish liver oil supplements to your diet so as to increase mucosal integrity and immunity.

If all the above measures and tests prove inconclusive, you will ahve to discuss the possibility that your condition could be interstitial cystitis with your urologist.

Do keep us posted.
Regards

[demusnic]

bumping it up

[demusnic]

I don't have a clue as to what organism was identified, I do know that my urologist felt that at one point I had such a bad UTI, it caused excess bacteria, which is what is causing the irritation, and therefore causing the burning, none of the antibiotics that I completed cured any of the symptoms, it did get rid of the UTI infection, but all of my symptoms were still VERY prominent.  I am allergic to septra, so that cut out a lot of the sulfa category.  

As far as renal stones or vesicoureteral reflux, I have never heard of either of those, what are they, and should I ask my urologist about them. What kind of procedures need to be done to check for those.  

I completely believe you are right about the triggering event, that is what most of the doctors seem to say, but we can't figure out what it could be...and it is ever so frusturating.  

I am super attentive to my fluid intake, I drink gallons of water (literally) I carry the jug around with me, and switch out to another, filling the empty one up.  I do find however that if I drink citrus things and juices my pee burns worse, so I have cut those out...

[Dr Smitha Mathews]

Hi,

Do you know which organism was identified as causing the UTIs? And what antibiotics it was sensitive to?
Did you complete a course of any of the antibiotics that the infective organism was sensitive to?

Has renal stones been ruled out?
And have you been evaluated for vesicoureteral reflux?

It is possible that there is a triggering event that activates your symptoms.
Your bladder seems to be irritable or is being irriated by a frequent irritant. Identifying this factor and eliminating it should prove sufficient for treating your symptoms.

You will also need to pay attention to:
Your fluid intake which should be in excess of 2000 ml per day.
Addition of citrus fruits and juices in diet.
Intake of calcium-rich foods.
Maintenance of hygien (wiping from front to back, passing urine before and after sex, etc.)
If you suspect that your partner could be having an organism that is asymptomatic in him but causes an infection in you, you will need to practice safe sex (condoms) for the time being.

Do post a few more details.
Regards