Blood in urine with Polycystic Kidney disease-Bladder infection?

@kidneybean1 I hope your infection is clearing up for you.

The last time I had an infection like that, my doctor told me a week long course of antibiotics is not enough. A person should be on them for 10 days. And it is critical that the correct antibiotic is used, that will have an effect on the bacteria. Have they done a culture to make sure the correct one was chosen?

And, while you are on those meds, don't forget to get your probiotics for your digestive system. Antibiotics will go after both good and bad bacteria!
Ginger

@gingerw Thank you for your reply.
Yes, urine culture showed ecoli. Nurse Practitioner for my nephrologist said 1st antibiotic I took wasn't strong enough since infection came back as soon as I finished 7 days worth. So, she is putting me on a stronger one, Cipro for another 7 days. I don't know why it is not for 10 days.
She said to take Align Probiotic which I bought. She said Align product has 4 good bacteria in it.
It does not. It only has 1. Box reads: contains 5 billion live bacteria "Bifidobacterium animalis" susp. lactis, BB12 6 mg. And she said yogurt only has one good bacteria. Not true. My yogurt Stoneyfield Organic yogurt has 6 live active cultures-S. thermophillu, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophillus, Bifidus, L. paracasei, L. rhamnosis. I'm going to call her about when to take this Align product. During my time on the antibiotics or after I am finished with 7 day round of antibiotics? In my pea brain I'm thinking why take good bacteria when they are going to be killed by antibiotic? Why not wait until I'm finished with antibiotics and then replenish good bacteria?
Jessica

@kidneybean1 Jessica, go ahead and take that probiotic yoghurt now. Your tummy will thank you for it, and you will be happier knowing your tummy is not upset. Sometimes when we are on antibiotics, we don't feel like eating, so it's important to stay hydrated and eating well. I use a good greek yoghurt most days, as I am on a strong anti-viral and a strong antibiotic as part of my chemo therapy.

I'm glad your NP is changing the antibiotic for you. Cipro is strong. Did they set a follow-up appointment with you to make sure everything is cleared up? Personally, I would push for that, just to make sure!
Ginger

@gingerw
No blood in urine this morning. I’m feeling much better. Urine is clear pale yellow. Taking my probiotic tablets, Cipro, cranberry juice everyday. Eating my yogurt. Using wipes after each bowel movement as nurse practitioner suggested.
Very relieved to be feeling better.

@kidneybean1 Awesome to hear, and hoping today you are feeling even better! Hydration is also very important, so remember that. Plain water is a wonder. I often like to add a bit of lemon to mine.

Do you have a follow-up appointment to have another check done, and make sure it is "all gone"?
Ginger

@gingerw Thank you for your reply.
Yes, urine culture showed ecoli. Nurse Practitioner for my nephrologist said 1st antibiotic I took wasn't strong enough since infection came back as soon as I finished 7 days worth. So, she is putting me on a stronger one, Cipro for another 7 days. I don't know why it is not for 10 days.
She said to take Align Probiotic which I bought. She said Align product has 4 good bacteria in it.
It does not. It only has 1. Box reads: contains 5 billion live bacteria "Bifidobacterium animalis" susp. lactis, BB12 6 mg. And she said yogurt only has one good bacteria. Not true. My yogurt Stoneyfield Organic yogurt has 6 live active cultures-S. thermophillu, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophillus, Bifidus, L. paracasei, L. rhamnosis. I'm going to call her about when to take this Align product. During my time on the antibiotics or after I am finished with 7 day round of antibiotics? In my pea brain I'm thinking why take good bacteria when they are going to be killed by antibiotic? Why not wait until I'm finished with antibiotics and then replenish good bacteria?
Jessica

Good discussion here. I had a kidney transplant in October 2022 and had PKD. I had 4 bladder infections soon after the transplant with blood in the urine. Then my urologist put me on Cephlexin 250mg to take daily to keep the infections at bay. No infections since but concerned with taking Cephlex daily 250mg. I am dairy intolerant so never could take yogurt. Is coconut yogurt still helpful as a probiotic or should I just keep taking Align? As an aside, I do not think my nephrologist knows what caused the many bladder infections and blood in the urine. Any idea why PKD patients get these? Thank you, BB

Blbird33
I don’t know why you had multiple bladder infections after your transplant. Was it ecoli? Did surgeons take out your old pkd kidneys? I know that with grossly enlarged kidneys like I have, I have read in a journal that even with dehydration for a short time, upsets the delicate flow of urine and bacteria could start to accumulate. Not wiping good enough after each bowel movement could cause infection. Short period of diarrhea could cause infection. Align seems to be helping me. Cranberry juice seems to be helping me. As far as your gut health is concerned, talk to your gastroenterologist. He recommended prebiotics and probiotics for me. I sure hope you don’t get another bladder infection. I was miserable. You could try coconut yogurt and see if it helps. Let me know how that turns out.