WBC and blood in urine = UTI?

[skbird]

I'm kind of confused by something. I am seeing an IC specialist and a month ago I had a hysterectomy. Today I had a bladder scan where they scanned my bladder then checked to see how much urine came out.

They tested it and told me that I had 500 leucocytes and blood in my urine, therefore a UTI, and prescribed me a prescription.

I had not thought I had a UTI before and I know you can have blood and white blood cells in your urine if you have IC, so considering the fact I am confirmed as having IC and this is my result, I'm surprised they jumped on antibiotics, rather than culturing it and figuring out if I definitely have an infection.

Anyone else have an experience like this? (The hysterectomy is only relevant because I am recovering and the discomfort from it may have been masking the UTI symptoms).

Thanks.

[ICNDonna]

From my own experience, it can be difficult for an interstitial cystitis patient to tell the difference between an IC flare and a UTI. I hope you feel better quickly.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[emeraldjules]

My own experience, the doc and I both thought I had a UTI based on the symptoms: blood, high HBC count, fever, chills, bladder pain, urethra pain, low back pain, etc. She prescribed an antibiotic. The culture came back negative. It was a really bad flare. If you are concerned about taking antibiotics, you can ask your doctor that from now on a culture be verified before antibiotics.

(I'm not a medical professional, I speak only from my personal experiences.)

[skbird]

My own experience, the doc and I both thought I had a UTI based on the symptoms: blood, high HBC count, fever, chills, bladder pain, urethra pain, low back pain, etc. She prescribed an antibiotic. The culture came back negative. It was a really bad flare. If you are concerned about taking antibiotics, you can ask your doctor that from now on a culture be verified before antibiotics.

(I'm not a medical professional, I speak only from my personal experiences.)

I talked with the nurse today who was the one who performed the scan on me and then called to tell me I had the UTI. I asked that if having high WBCs and blood in urine could also be an IC flare, how did they know this was a UTI from just that data? I can't really tell from physical symtoms because I just had a hysterectomy and everything feels out of place. She said that either those or nitrates in urine indicate a UTI and that they then treat with antibiotics, but they do send off the urine to culture it. She didn't say if mine had been cultured and if I'd indeed had a UTI.

I'm just feeling like I'm getting a mixed message because I know from what I've learned about IC that high WBCs and blood in urine can be a flare and it's only if you can culture bacteria that you can say that it's really a UTI, yet I'm seeing an IC specialist and this is their protocol.

Interesting that no one is on the same page, it seems, you know?

Oh well.....

[emeraldjules]

I stopped seeing my URO/GYN mostly because she was a jerk. However, my NP that I see at the clinic and the GYN NP both appreciate the education I provide to them about the disease and the alternatives. Maybe this is a learning experience and that its time to seek out another physician and this is one of the questions you ask the potential new DR, what is your protocol for IC patients and testing for UTIs?

I understand your frustration. Wish there was something more I could do with that magic fairy wand the tooth fairy left me the other day, but the tooth fairy must have come back and hidden it!! HUGS Do you live somewhere that has a support group for IC or chronic pain? Might help to find others in your area with whom you can commiserate

[kadi]

It's definitely worth getting checked with a culture if you have white blood cells and blood in your urine. Some infections show up with nitrates, but others do not. I mistook a bad bladder infection for a flare and ended up with a kidney infection from it. So, I'm always in favor of checking these things out.

In fact, I'm feeling awful tonight and just did a home test kit which is positive for white blood cells, but not blood in my urine or nitrates. So, in the morning I'll test again and if the test still shows so many white blood cells and I'm not feeling better, I'll be heading off to the lab for a test. Sigh.

This disease is maddening and yes, many doctors and nurses do not realize we can have white blood cells and blood in our urine just from IC.

[ICNDonna]

It's been about 15 years now, but the last time I had an infection there were globs of gunk in my urine --- no question about it being an infection --- my uro put me on a wide spectrum antibiotic pending culture results. The culture & sensitivity report indicated I was on the correct antibiotic. If I hadn't started the antibiotic until the results were in, it could have been much more serious and more difficult to defeat.

Donna

[skbird]

@Kadi - that's pretty much how I do things usually. I had no idea I had one this time so that's why I was so surprised. Gar. Stupid disease.

@ICNDonna - wow! That must have been scary! I don't think I've ever had anything more than cloudy urine. That would have freaked me out! Glad you aren't prone.

Thanks for your thoughts, all. I'm feeling better each day right now, so that's the good news!

Steph