I think I have a UTI, I don’t normally suffer from them, I have dip sticks at home, has anyone got any ideas what to look for? Also, can a UTI trigger a relapse?
Hi Viv
I look for smell and colour of urine. Keep your fluids up and look forward to 7 days antibiotic and the symptoms should lift probably in day 3 but finish the course. I got my GP to give me a prescription just in case it repeated
Hello Viv
Re test strips and UTI, what you’re looking for are leucocytes, nitrites, protein and blood.
Leucocytes are what show up when you have inflammation.
Nitrites show infection as does protein and blood. Don’t forget though that if you are of menstruating age, as a woman you could have blood show up anyway. This would also make protein elevated. (Bloody stupid arrangement women have ‘downstairs’, three apertures a bit too close together for health!)
If you had for eg an e.coli infection (the most common), you’d expect to see leucocytes and nitrites. This would normally cause your GP to prescribe an antibiotic like Trimethoprim, Nitroferantoin or just possibly Ciprofloxacin.
You can also have faint leucocytes showing up when you don’t have an infection. In this case, I’d drink a whole load of water, weak tea, cranberry juice and/or weak squash. Retest your wee the following morning and it should be either clear or nearly so.
Make sure whenever you self test your wee that the strips are in date and dry - ie that the far left box is untainted by damp. It’s a good idea to either keep your test strips outside of the bathroom where they can be definitely kept dry, or in a sealable plastic bag.
A UTI can’t actually trigger a relapse, but it can make your body react as though you have a relapse. This is he reason for always testing, or having your urine tested, before taking steroids. Taking steroids when you have an UTI would cause the infection to get much worse.
Sue
Thank you so much for your helpful comments, I dipped my urine, it showed infection.
I then called GP Out of Hours, seen a Dr at 0900 hrs this morning, been diagnosed with a kidney infection, feeling really rough today. Been prescribed antibiotics for 14 days so hopefully will do the trick.
Thanks again 
Ooh, sounds truly nasty. I’m so sorry for you. Uncomfortable, makes MS symptoms worse, and a longer antibiotics course to boot. Hopefully the infection will soon be kicked into touch, the MS’y type symptoms will stop and you’ll be feeling much better.
Sue
I’ve had a UTI a couple of times, and the first thing I noticed was a burning sensation when peeing and feeling the urge to go all the time. Drinking plenty of water and cranberry juice helped a bit, but a doctor’s visit and antibiotics cleared it much faster.
I also found that avoiding caffeine and alcohol while recovering makes a noticeable difference, and wearing loose clothing helps prevent irritation. For general hygiene and support, I’ve used products like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KP2D0DC, which provide some relief and make managing symptoms easier.
I’m home after 6 days in hospital with a UTI and bladder infection. Had the dark, smelly, cloudy wee but it got so bad I could no longer wee at all.
I was already on flucloxacillin for a leg infection so thought “it can’t be a UTI, I’m already on anti-biotics”. Wrong! Different infection, needing different types of antibiotics. Initially went on oral nitrofurantoin but was getting worse and bringing up everything (food + tablets), so called 999 and admitted to hospital.
I was catheterised and drained out an immediate 1.7 litres. Put on a one-off IV dose of Gentamicin followed by IV Co-amoxiclav. They removed the catheter but flow didn’t re-establish, so had to re-catheterise me. Upon discharge from hospital with catheter still in place, was given a final IV of Gentamicin and a week’s course of oral co-amoxiclav. I go back as an outpatient after 12 days to remove catheter and check for a resumption in natural flow. I’ll be tried out for ISC too. Am hoping flow resumes or else it implies I might need permanent catheterisation.
So yes, UTI’s can be serious!
Oh GCCK I’m sorry to hear you’ve been so unwell. How are you feeling now?
Thanks for your good wishes.
Still regaining strength. Worst thing for me is after many days of almost total immobility, it takes a long time to get back to where I was. My last hospital stay was 18 days (2 years ago) for cellulitis and I never fully recovered the same level of mobility that I had before. I have PPMS, so expect the steady decline but every so often, there’s more of a step-change.
I hope that you regain your strength and mobility, even if it takes a long time.
I worked in the NHS for a while (non-clinical) and saw some stats on loss of function in patients (usually elderly) who had fractured neck of femur (broken hip). The amount of muscle condition they lost even in 12 hours was enormous! There were targets for operating to fix the fracture within 36 hours that were nationally and locally monitored because it was so important to get people’s hips fixed and get them into rehab before they lost too much function.
I know it’s different and you’re not elderly etc but I wonder if there is a similar process at play of losing function.
I hope your recovery goes well.
Look after yourself