When is it a UTI??

[Abby26]

How do you know if you truly have a UTI? My bladder symptoms have been very good for the past couple months, but a few days ago my bladder started acting up (frequency, soreness, etc). But I don't know if this is just a flare or I have a UTI. I've bought AZO strips but are those acurate? I've had 2 UTI's in the past but they both came back with "no growth". Is it possible to have a UTI and the test coming back "no growth" I've also read that you can have a UTI without it being positive for nitrates.And you don't necessarily have a UTI with it being positive for leukocytes. So how in the world do I know if I truly have a UTI. This is really depressing. Should I just go to the doctor every week and have them test me?

[bladderpain451]

If your burning and hurting without any growth in your culture, it's likely the IC and not a UTI. When I get a UTI, it presents with WBC's & RBC's. That can raise pretty high depending on how bad the infection is. I've never had a UTI determined by nitrates, but cultures yes. When I have a true infection, and not just burning occassionally from the IC, I first retain urine, and then develop frequency, and the burning doesn't go away if it's a UTI, with my IC, it does. I have also had yeast infections that will make me burn that was not always diagnosed. I don't know why they can do a urinalysis so easily, but fail to do a pelvic exam, if you have symptoms present. If your symptoms continue, you should call your urologist. Are you taking Elmiron for your bladder?

[Abby26]

The two UTI's I had they diagnosed me because I had nitrates in my urine. Even when both cultures came back with "no growth" they said that it doesn't have to "grow" to be a UTI. Between the internet, different doctors, and message boards I get so many completely different opinions on what diagnoses a UTI.

[ICNDonna]

I use home test strips when it feels like I might have an infection --- it can be difficult to tell whether it's infection or flare --- and if I get a positive result, I call my doctor. The strips aren't 100% but they can help me decide if I need to call in. I also call in if the pain lasts more than a few days because even if it's not infection, I need to be seen.

Sending warm hugs,
Donna

[Abby26]

Well in the past my IC symptoms have gotten a little worse and it would last about a month or so, its not like I get horrible pain that would really help me indicate an infection. Right now I just depend on the AZO strips

[Linda May]

Ic

I think the way mine is it will feel like a UTI but if my stomach feels hard and pooched out then its a flare. I went to uros today and I did not have a UTI so I am thinking thats how I can tell the difference.

[cmclien]

When I have the nitrates (rbc) in my urine then I have extreme pain and no right away it is a uti. Alot of times though I have the leukocytes (wbc) and no nitrates but have symptoms of urgency, frequency, stopping mid-stream etc. They treat it then too because the bladder isn't meant to have wbc in it at any time and is indicative of some kind of infection or ?? inflammation.
I have my cystoscopy on Monday and am going to ask why I keep having wbc in my urine, is it because of IC or an infection? I really want to know the answer. I know I feel better when they're gone.
Not sure if that helps at all but in my case they treat me if either is positive.

[bladderpain451]

The two UTI's I had they diagnosed me because I had nitrates in my urine. Even when both cultures came back with "no growth" they said that it doesn't have to "grow" to be a UTI. Between the internet, different doctors, and message boards I get so many completely different opinions on what diagnoses a UTI.

I didn't know nitrates were RBC's, I get that with an infection, but you can also bleed due to the inflammation. I used to have large amounts of blood in my urine all of the time, no infection. I also have some degree of blood now but not quite as bad as it used to be. If there is blood, you want a urine cytology too to rule out cancer, just as a caution. My doctors said the opposite, no positive culture, then no infection. Sometimes they treated me anyways, just incase, but most of the time, my cultures came back okay.

[Mothergoose]

I find if it is a uti my pain level is a bit higher than a flare, but the differences are suttle. I have had uti's without testing pos but I have an immunity disorder and the only way they know for sure is by testing my WBC.

But I am sure that is not normal for most people.

MG