Kidney infection, obstruction, antibiotics not working - Update: worse on new AB

[Marumi]

Update 2: Turns out I have a kidney, bladder and pelvic infection brought on by urine not flowing unobstructed. Doctors guess the baby is getting to big for it to flow freely, which would be bad because I am only 23 weeks and he will get bigger. I read about cases where mothers keep having problems with kidney congestion and their babies have to be born prematurely to save their lives and kidneys. It's a total horror scenario.

Idk how it is all supposedly obstructed all of a sudden...I felt great until the 23rd. Never peed weird at all. I hate that doctors try to get away with the least amount of check ups.

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Update:
My problems almost completely resolve on Penicillin for about 5 hrs, then they return. I take 3 a day now and haven't had any contractions with the higher dose but the problems don't stay away. We ruled out none bacterial causes because of how it responds.
The symptoms fit an upper UTI better than a lower UTI. Which might explain the unusual symptoms.
On US a doctor could see that my bladder does seem to be full even after peeing 6 times in a row.
Symptoms: Extreme pressure on my bladder, bladder pain and cramps after peeing, peeing tiny amounts but sometimes also a larger amount, takes me 15 minutes to empty my bladder completely by continuosly squeezing out more urine, burning pain that radiates throughout the whole body almost, feverish feeling, raised temperature, chills, inability to converse like normal, headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach aches.
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I have a burning and pressure sensation around the bikini line from hip bone to hip bone. Almost feels a bit like my pelvis is on fire. The pain and burning slightly radiates to my thighs and ribs.
I feel pressure there when my bladder is full usually.

Today I have been peeing (sometimes not always) tiny amounts and much more frequently than usual weirdly.
I had an issue with my bladder that was never diagnosed earlier in the second trimester with a similar burning and pressure sensation. I took penicillin then on my own bc doctors could not help and it improved right away. My urine never came back abnormal though and I had no BV either.
Has anyone had something like this before? I find it so hard to pinpoint what I am feeling since it is all just babybump to me.
I worry that if I were to see a doctor they would just be clueless again so at least I want to understand what I am dealing with so I can point them in the right direction.

 

[Marumi]

Update: Took the Penicillin again because the pain felt so much the same and feel pretty much normal now after a few hours. Which is really weird because it is such a strong pain in a way. I will definitely have to ask a doctor about this in the future. Very strange.

 

[hotpinklily84]

It almost sounds like a uti...hope it gets better and you get it treated

 

[Marumi]

It almost sounds like a uti...hope it gets better and you get it treated

Weirdly both tests were negative then for a UTI. The symptoms are also not completely typical as I have no burning sensation when I pee and I sometimes do pee large amounts, then smaller amounts.
Also I never had the burning Pelvis sensation with a UTI. Very mysterious...but the Penicillin is helping at least. I avoided the ER since they are completely useless during weekends and holidays. They won't give you anything until labwork comes back either and this problem worsens with the speed of light.

 

[Qmama79]

Have you been tested fr GBS? It can cause UTIs & sometimes problems with uterus & pelvic inflammation. It is diagnosed with a vaginal & rectal swab. Don't think that the common test fr UTIs can detect it. Normally women get tested in 3rd tri fr it. Since you respond so well to penicillin, there must be a bacterial cause, no? I hope you get to the root cause.

I just know about it from a friend & googled.

 

[Marumi]

Have you been tested fr GBS? It can cause UTIs & sometimes problems with uterus & pelvic inflammation. It is diagnosed with a vaginal & rectal swab. Don't think that the common test fr UTIs can detect it. Normally women get tested in 3rd tri fr it. Since you respond so well to penicillin, there must be a bacterial cause, no? I hope you get to the root cause.

I just know about it from a friend & googled.

You know that sounds like it could be something! I remember my midwife saying I will be tested for it in the third trimester...and symptoms also say there can be inflammation of the joints and tissue, which did hurt with this recent infection like when I had meningitis when I was younger.

I hope I can find someone during the holidays to take this test! It is insane how all doctors here are on vacation until the middle of January.

 

[Septie]

Be sure to take the full course of penicillin now that you have started!! Sounds like a UTI to me...Did you take the full course last time? Why do you have some left over?
Btw, once you have started treatment, I doubt any urine test will show anything. Also, when I had a UTI during my second pregnancy, tests were NOT positive (it showed bacterial contamination only, for which they usually don't give anything).

 

[Marumi]

Septie
The first time my OB tested I had not taken any antibiotics yet and it was negative (around 14 weeks). When it got worse at night (Friday) I went to the ER and got told off regarding antibiotics. They said during the weekend they can't do lab tests and wanted to hold me off with painkillers.
When it got unbearable that night I took Penicillin we had left at home because I knew it was safe for pregnancy. 2 a day for 5 days. It went away and all was good.

This time it was a similar type of pain but stronger. Because it was the night after Christmas Eve and the pain was worsening quickly, I took Penicillin and it improved within an hour. I really only resort to taking it without testing because the pain is so bad that it causes contractions and I fear it will cause a miscarriage. The pain is definitely a 9 too so I worry I will get so bad that I can't even control the situation. And I don't trust doctors to figure this out if I am unconscious. My experience has been horrible with emergency situations. But unlike he first time it came back between dosages. Not very bad but enough to cause more contractions, pain and pressure.

I went to another ER today. They can't say what it is but gave me another prescription for Penicillin. My biggest problem is that no one can say for sure what it is. It isn't really typical for a bladder infection. I don't have painful or burning urination and it did not build up over days painwise like a regular bladder infection does. I felt fine Christmas Even and boom...at 2 AM my pelvis was on fire. This time around my whole body burned, like the pain radiated.

I really hope this cures it. I feel so left alone with this...like no one can really help me if this does not work. I know natural ways of treating such problems but the supplements are not safe for pregnancy. Maybe D Mannose would be another Idea...but it worries me that GSE did not work. It always cures bladder infections for me if caused by E.Coli.

 

[Marumi]

The effects of the antibiotic keep wearing off and pain and symptoms return. I still don't pee normal after 3 days on antibiotics which should not happen according to my doctor.

Seems I am resitant to treatment.

 

[laila 44]

Have you considered possible spd? Symphis pubis dysfunction? Look it up I also have burning pelvis and it turned out to be spd. A uti usually stings so bad when u pee it's hard to mistake it. It also responds quickly to antibiotics. The second issue is have they sent your urine out to be cultured by a lab? To see which (if any bacteria) is present? And if so with uti's it's important to get the correct antibiotic otherwise most strains are resistant. Majority of the time uti's don't respond well to penecillin but rather to other antibiotics such as macrobid or Cipro are most often the first line of attack, not penecillin. I believe penecillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic and with a uti u need a more bacteria specific one. Also quintinlones work well norofloxacin etc ... So if u are experiencing a true uti I'm afraid you're not treating it properly and that's why u have no relief.

 

[Marumi]

Laila

I was thinking too that the Penicillin may not be right for this.

I highly doubt it is SPD. The symptoms don't fit. I never had pelvic pain until Christmas Eve, and it is more inflamed pain than the actual bones. I do have pain when I pee but in my bladder only, not the urinary tract. I am unable to empty my bladder fully and often have to spend 15 mins on the toilet squeezing out pee. Last time all this disappeared when I started penicillin...This time it takes me to almost normal for a few hours then worsens again. This is definitely something that reaponds to antibiotics.

They did not send out the urine, they only did the quick test to see...now that I am on antibiotics it can't be tested anymore.

Tbh they are doing crappy testing but it's a problem with the medical system here. To give minimal treatment unless someone is downright dying. I had problems with the medical system when hospitalized in 2014 and they tested next to nothing then released me without a clue of what I might have. I was lucky to figure out on my own how to get better but this is something that requires actual medication.

 

[fdcsw126]

I just finished my second round of antibiotics for a UTI. My tests only came up positive for one after they let my urine culture for 3 days.

 

[Qmama79]

So sorry to hear it hasn't really improved yet. Keep pushing fr better testing because you're clearly dealing with something.

 

[Amygdala]

Do you see a regular gynaecologist in Germany? If so, I'd change doctors. I just went to one when on holiday there and not only did they send in a urine sample when I mentioned I had light uti symptoms, the culture also revealed what bacteria caused it and the sample was tested for antibiotic response. Having said that, the antibiotic I was given only worked short term but it certainly wasn't to do with lack of thoroughness in diagnosis. So if I was you, I'd find a new doctor!

Also, do you take penicillin a lot? You might be dealing with a resistant strain, especially if you've taken it repeatedly in the past. So really best to get retested if it should return. In the meantime, you could try one of the common "home remedies" to keep colonisation in check. Take probiotics, apply probiotic yoghurt to the area, bathe in salt water etc. Some people a prone to reinfecting themselves because they are heavily colonised around the opening of the urethra, so keeping harmful bacteria at bay there may help. And drinking lots of course to frequently flush the bladder. Also, try to avoid bladder irritants like coffee or acidic juices. It's possible that your infection is really cleared but your bladder is still irritated and just hasn't gone back to normal yet.

I get frequent UTIs as well with never any burning sensation when I pee. At least I'm assuming they're UTIs, because I haven't had a different diagnosis. Following though, in case someone else has more insight.

 

[Amygdala]

This may also be something to consider: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/interstitial-cystitis

 

[Marumi]

Thank you Amygdala!

We ruled out cystitis because of the fact that it was cured by antibiotics last time with not a hint of a bladder problem and the ER doc said with cystitis I would not improve so much on antibiotics for a few hours. It would remain the same.

I am taking lots of home remedies that I know are safe and probiotics too but I had not that of treating down there to prevent bacteria from spreading. I will try that!

I doubt that it cleared up...my symptoms are almost gone 2-3 hrs after taking antibiotics, after 5 +they return. Everytime like clockwork. My bladder also feels almost fine when the antibiotics work for a bit.

I have seen two OB Gyns and 3 general practicians all together. Weirdly no one did a culture. I will push for that for sure.
This is the second time I have taken Penicillin. I don't usually take antibiotics often, only 3 times including my last pregnancy since 2004.
But when I was younger doctors would give antibiotics to me like candy. I have taken around 30 different types.

Fdscw
You know I read about a lot of cases online where normal tests come back negative but urine culture positive! That would explain it.

I found someone with a similar case of a Germany Pregnancy forum. Never showed up in the real tests, only with cultures.
I also found my symptoms actually match an upper urinary tract infection. Apparently there is a difference but some doctors fail to differentiate. Lower UTI causes the common burn when peeing, upper UTI infect the bladder and later kidneys and causes burning sensation up higher, as well as nausea, vomiting, feeling ill, fever, body aches etc. Sort of what I had. This is because the infection can reach the blood stream cause a Sepsis and even death. I suppose I am far from a Sepsis being half treated but definitely would not want to leave this untreated.

And if any other doctor suggests round ligament pain I will punch them. My ligaments don't even ever hurt. Or anything pregnancy related. I had a symptom free pregnancy until just before Christmas so I am getting tired of doctors suggesting it is just normal pregnancy pain when I say this is something extremely painful and weird.

 

[Amygdala]

I hear you! It's frustrating when doctors don't take you seriously. Maybe you can find a doctor that comes recommended from friends or on online rating sites (I know they exist but can't think of the name off the top of my head). Hope you get it sorted anyway.

 

[dani_tinks]

They really need to be sending your urine off for culture. I've had recurrent uti's and the lab found gbs in my urine. Hope you feel better soon x

 

[Amygdala]

They really need to be sending your urine off for culture. I've had recurrent uti's and the lab found gbs in my urine. Hope you feel better soon x

Dani, do you mind me asking what's happening with that? Are they treating it now? And if treatment is successful, will you be tested for gbs nearer your due date or is it antibiotics in labour either way?

 

[dani_tinks]

I've had so many samples set off for culture, and around 3 rounds of antibiotics. In the end my GP discussed my case with a consultant microbiologist and they've decided it's a colonization and therefore treating during pregnancy isn't recommended. I've been assured baby is safe whilst inside me but during labour I will be given IV antibiotics to try and prevent cross over to baby. I won't be tested again, no.