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[jazzfunkanne]

Hi all what sort of tests can i expect at urology for my bladder thanks in advance x background gp thinks urine infections is due too thinning of the walls of bladder due to early menopause x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi jazzfunkanne
My urethra was burning badly - this is quite common in menopause - and though it felt like a UTI the tests only showed some blood but no infection.
I saw a urologist earlier this year. I had a cystoscopy done - essentially they put a camera up your urethra and look inside you bladder.  They use local anaesthetic so it's only mildly uncomfortable. 

You should probably take a urine sample with you - if you haven't got a sample bottle ask the GP to give you one.
I was told it could be interstitial cystitis which isn't very helpful as it's not easy to treat. I was told to use local oestrogen and come back if it didn't improve.
Hope that helps.  DG x

[jazzfunkanne]

did the local oestrogen help you, i hate the thought of those tests x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi jazzfunkanne
The tests are all pretty standard stuff and it was all over really quickly so don't worry about it.  Yes, the local oestrogen has helped.  I tried Vagifem, Ovestin and Gynest but ended up with the Estring which gives a more constant dose of oestrogen.  However I do find it runs out of oestrogen towards the end of it's 3 month life so I start to burn again and it then takes 2-3 weeks to be comfortable again.  Many women find Vagifem works a treat.
I'm going to see a gynae for advice about this and as I'm struggling with other meno symptoms as well I may go back on full HRT.
Keep us posted. Good luck.  DG x

[rosie c]

I had constant utis for a year and  showing blood in urine. Went last week to see urologist .. had the camera,  only slightly uncomfortable, dont worry...and he said probably not had utis, just like dancing girl, just  having urinary symtoms of the menopause and to keep using vagifem , which has helped no end. x

[rebecca]

This is interesting as I was having problems with UTI's (particularly after sex) , not being able to empty bladder properly and blood in urine. Doc sent me for a Cytoscopy this showed bladder was Ok , the Consultant said that I should not take any more antibiotics and was writing to the doc. He offered no other advice, I have just written to him and asked what I should do if I get another UTI (which I'm sure I will).

I have been on Ovestin for 3 years now 
I'm not sure anyone can explain what is going on really, I will await his reply.

Rebecca

 

[Dancinggirl]

Hi rebecca
These recurring UTI types symptoms seem to be far more common than many people realise - it's reassuring for those of us that have this. I'm using the Estring because it seems to offer me better relief - although not completely - some days are better than others.
I have a problem with Nocturia as well - I have to pee at least 3 times during the night.  I'm fine during the day - I can go 4-5 hours without needing to pee during he day. My GP has given me diuretics to take late afternoon as she thinks I'm retaining fluids but I still get up several times in the night and end up with a headache the next day- probably because I am dehydrated. 
My main concern is that the NHS will usually only prescribe local oestrogen for 2 years and I'm wondering what I'm going to do after this.  I've made an appointment with a private gynae to get his advice about this.
DG x

[Taz2]

I haven't heard that you will only be prescribed local oestrogen for two years DG - that's a worry. My doc is willing to prescribe vagifem for the rest of my life - it's only the full HRT she is worried about although she has relented and given me Evorel 25 to try having taken me off Evorel 50 a year ago due to my age.

Interestingly I have had a bladder infection for the past two weeks which was treated with antibiotics and am still showing blood, white blood cells and nitrates in the urine although no infection now. This is exactly what happened to me all those years ago before going onto full HRT but my doc (who is lovely) is ordering a bladder scan to see what's happening and wont really listen to the fact that if she gave me Evorel 50 again then all would probably sort itself out. I guess she is being careful due to the fact I had a bladder repair in July.

Taz x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Tazz2
I had a cystoscopy because of UTI type symptoms and blood in the urine.  Bladder was fine and was told it was probably scare tissue related to atrophy.  I am using the Estring which I think brings a slightly higher dose of oestrogen (I tried all the others with no success - they all made me burn dreadfully) and my GP muttered that they can only allow local oestrogen for 2 years - I assume because of the risk of thickening of the womb lining. My burning got so much worse when I came of full HRT and though I got burning episodes on systemic HRT it was manageable.  It's interesting that you are now using HRT again and I'm not ruling this out for me.  As I am 58, time is running out if I do wish to start systemic HRT again. I do miss getting some decent sleep, my libido is through floor and the flushes have been a nightmare throughout the heat of this summer.
I'm afraid I feel these problems are really a 'quality of life' issue and it's not a priority for the NHS to get this sorted. So I feel I need to pay to see a specialist who can give me the time and appropriate advice for the long term management of these problems.
I doubt antibiotics are going to help your problem with UTI type symptoms - have you thought of upping your Vagifem dose - maybe every other day for a couple of weeks or even do the 2 week everyday day load again to see if it helps?
DG x

[jazzfunkanne]

hi tazz is it safe too use  vagifem for life? what i dont understand is the dip test in the surgery shows infection, but the lab comes back normal, does anyone feel tried and out of sorts with urine infection ( but are they if the lab says the sample is normal) am reallly getting confused now, waiting too see a urologist x

[rebecca]

Jazzfunkanne - yes my gynae told me when she prescribed Vagifem I would be on it for life.... Unfortunately I had a reaction after a while and had to go over to Ovestin crème which has been ok for me. I assumed it was for life with this one also but I will check with doc if the same 'safe' rules apply...

My dip tests for urine always showed as infection but apparently my Urologist said these are not ALWAYS accurate and I should NOT take any more antibiotics as it was not good for me. I have just written to him as he signed me off as OK when I recently had a Cytoscopy.  His secretary rang me and said that he would like to see me again and I will be getting an appointment (this could take a while though) - I literally thought he would just answer my letter. Will advise on hear if I have any tips to pass on.

My middle name is UTI now 

One thing I know though, I will not take any more Nitrofurantoin I felt SO sick with this 

Rebecca

[CLKD]

The ONLY way to check that there is an infection is for the wee sample to be sent to a Laboratory.  The dip-stick test may well show blood and cells but this is not a sign of infection  .

Small blood vessels can burst with pressure and cells will drop out of the body naturally.  Repeated feelings of a UTI probably means that there is vaginal atrophy which is a horrid, natural ageing process.  It felt like I had razor blades up there  fortunately my GP recognised the symptoms.

With treatment the symptoms are kept at bay.

[oldsheep]

I chickened out of my urology tests as I'm sure my 'irritated bits' are low oestrogen and it is better now generally if I use vagifem regularly. Every 2 nights (if I remember). As I'm on Utrogestan, they aren't fussed.
Not yet anyhow.
I just reckoned that there's not much they can do for I.C so up the oestrogen and see if it's better. And I put on vaseline on the external area before swimming, which also helps a bit.
The nurse at the meno clinic (they do gynae and urology) told me to drink quite a bit but not too much as too much can cause irritation too.

[CLKD]

How can 'too' much liquid cause irritation?  The body expels what it doesn't require 

Let us know how you get on with the oestrogen use!

[Maryjane]

I am 48 and have been told I will be on vagifem for life, will have a scan every couple of years. I have just done a four month stint of antibs, rotational to get rid of my first ever p infection.

I had a scan of my bladder and it was very thickened with oedema, it is now as it should be, but I have probably been left with IC.

Look up Professor Malone -Lee on his theory of treating UTIs, that dip sticks in the GP surgery are pointless, the way of testing p is flawed plus other bits I can't remember.

I have not seen him, but if I carry on with p infections the pain clinic I am under suggest I go and see him. I am hoping I won't need to.

Most of the UTIs us ladies get is e-coli, and there are only a few antibs that can be used for it now, and if a long dose of antibs is required we shouldn't just stay on one type, it should be rotated to stop resistance and to stop the risk of getting c-diff. I hadn't been on antibs for 25+ years and they didn't make me ill.