recurrent bladder infections after prolapse surgery

I have had a bladder sling put in and have infection pretty much back to back too. I ended up in the hospital with c-diff for 6 days because the antibiotics killed off the good bacteria in my system as well as the bad.

Bless your hearts, ladies! I am so thankful to read your comments and to have declined the same bladder sling surgery last year! Whenever I've had a urinary catheter, I've always gotten a bladder infection. I don't understand why you would have repeated bladder infections, but I want to figure it out now. I can understand having one infection right after surgery but multiple infections? I don't believe you should stay on the antibiotics because that is detrimental to your immune system. You need your good bacteria! I am wondering if there is some sort of 'defect' in your bladder slings. If so, you may have a malpractice case. Certainly you can see the physicians at Mayo Clinic. Even if you are far away, you can make an appointment and it would be worth it to travel to one of their locations to be evaluated. Please don't wait another day. Make your appointments today. I hope you both have a wonder holiday season and that you find the best medical care possible for your conditions. I'm so sad that you've both been so ill because of a surgery that was supposed to make your life better. Blessings, be well!

3 surgeries after a initial hysterectomy with TVT mini arc mesh and on different antibiotics for a year and just finished IV therapy for entercocci bacteria. In pain, frustrated and tired. Thinking Mayo!!!

has any one have this operation need help sacrospinsous fixation rectoenterocle repair

how does the sling work i had a blatter lift years ago so not sure what to go with

Which "kind" of doctor should one see for this problem?

I had surgery on May 14, 2014. One night in the hospital, and nothing has been right since then. I caught c-diff in the hospital and it took MONTHS to get 'cured' of that. Still have 'episodes' from time to time. But I also have been having UTIs on a more or less REGULAR basis since the surgery. Maybe about every 3-4 months intervals. Recently (in January) I was put on an antibiotic I take EVERY SINGLE DAY. Everything seemed to be going well. I went back to the urologist on July 11. (two weeks ago)

This Tuesday, I once again began a UTI. Blood in urine. Now I am on Cipro, for two weeks, then back to give another urine sample.

The next time I go to the urologist I am going to DEMAND that they find out what is causing this. I have been having these problems for over THREE YEARS! I also want them to check for cancer markers next time they test my urine. But I am really not too worried, because if I had bladder cancer, I imagine that after THREE YEARS I would be dead!

So, what things should they look for? One symptom is passing small amounts of urine. I have been keeping a record of my voiding for the last three days, and MAYBE the most I have passed at one time is 5 ounces. Mostly, at intervals of about 1 1/2 or two hours, I pass 2-4 ounces. I know from looking it up that a healthy bladder holds a lot more than that.

So, what I am thinking is, did the surgeon 'crimp' my bladder when he places it back inside my body (the surgery was for bladder prolapse)? Or, perhaps is my uretha blocked somehow? And, when they did an ultra sound two weeks ago, after voiding, they said I was emptying my bladder fully.

So, what are some suggestions about what my problem might be. I simply cannot imagine living with this for the rest of my life!!

Hello @smartchick43. Welcome to Mayo Connect. I saw your message from a little over an hour ago and was struck by similarities between your experience and mine. I thought we might talk about our mutual maladies. I had bladder surgery a few years ago to remove a dozen low-malignancy tumors from its inner lining. Just prior to that, I had a significant part of my prostate removed via my urinary tract. Gratefully, I escaped from the hospital without catching any bacterial infections, received bladder therapy at the clinic over six weeks, and began a series of cystoscope exams of the bladder every three months. That period is now a full year, and I have had no recurrence of cancer. Periodically over the last four years I have had UTIs with some blood in the urine. I report them every time I visit the urologist for another cystoscope exam, and he seems to be correct in minimizing the blood in the urine as an after effect of my prostate surgery, not bladder surgery.

The other crucial similarity with you is the antibacterial medication used with my cystoscope exams. Until 2 years ago, I was given Cipro orally, until I found out that the FDA had all but ended its use for UTIs because of its adverse effects. Cipro is one of a group of Fluoroquinolones that the FDA recommends not be used except in rare circumstances. Here's a quote from the FDA a year ago:

"Because the risk of these serious side effects generally outweighs the benefits for patients with acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), the FDA has determined that fluoroquinolones should be reserved for use in patients with these conditions who have no alternative treatment options. (This applies to) Fluoroquinolone Antimicrobial Drugs -- ciprofloxacin (marketed as Cipro and generic ciprofloxacin); ciprofloxacin extended-release (marketed as Cipro XR and Proquin XR); gemifloxacin (marketed as Factive; levofloxacin (marketed as Levaquin); moxifloxacin (marketed as Avelox); norfloxacin (marketed as Noroxin); and ofloxacin (marketed as Floxin)."

After seeing that you were put on Cipro on July 11, I thought you'd want to know about the hazards it poses so you can speak to your urologist about whether there is a special reason for giving you that medication.

For more information on Fluoroquinolones and the problems they can cause, you may wish to check https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm513183.htm and https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm500143.htm or go to http://www.fda.gov and search for "Fluoroquinolones".

In my case, I didn't have much trouble from the Cipro, partly because it was a single dose with my cystoscope exams and not more frequent. Perhaps you'll have the same good fortune with Cipro if your doctor thinks it would be wise to move on to another antibiotic for treatment of your UTIs. I wish you well in this trying time and look forward to hearing how your appointment goes this week. Martin

1. Where does the bacteria that causes a UTI come from? Am I picking it up from public toilets? Does it live in my body all the time? What specifically triggers an infection?

2. I know that urine is produced in the kidneys, and travels to the bladder . If a healthy bladder holds maybe 12-15 ounces of urine, how does the kidney know when to stop production of urine until the bladder is emptied? And, if the BLADDER for some reason does NOT hold the usual amount of urine then how does the kidney hold off on urine production until the bladder is emptied. For example, I have been measuring the amount of urine I pass at any five time, and NEVER come up with anything approaching even 10 ounces. Most times that I void, it is between 3-5 ounces. That means I have ti urinate frequently. I had surgery to fix a prolapsed bladder. Could the bladder have been 'pinched' or placed incorrectly, so that the capacity is less than normal? And, if so, does that make my kidneys work extra to release urine? And, if the bladder WAS crimped or placed incorrectly, could that have an effect on bacteria in my urine not being expelled often enough, thus causing a build up that results in a UTI?
3. Will an ultrasound show if my bladder was placed incorrectly, or crimped during the surgery? And if it was, how can that be repaired (if at all possible)?
4. If anyone else has had bladder surgery to correct a prolapse, and has suffered FREQUENT UTIs (by frequent I mean about every 8-10 WEEKS) PLEASE tell me if you have had any success in correcting the problem. I was placed on a program of antibiotics that I took EVERY DAY, did not have a UTI for about 6-7 months, then while still taking the antibiotic, developed another UTI!!

THIS IS DRIVING ME CRAZY! And it cannot possibly be good for my health.

When I last saw the urologist, I gave a urine specimen. It was tested CLEAR, but I was only able to pass about 2 ounces. They did an ultrasound and said I was EMPTYING MY BLADDER! So, if that small amount of urine emptied my bladder, that tells me that the CAPACITY of my bladder is NOT normal!

I drink a lot of water, and severely limit my intake of coffee, sugary drinks and other liquids.

@smartchick43, Hello and Welcome to Mayo Clinic connect! Thank you for posting.

I see that you connected and received some great information from Martin. The only thing I would like to add is an informational page on UTI that Mayo Clinic.org offers at - http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/basics/causes/con-20037892

I would also like to introduce you to members, @joantrost, @friendlyhelp, @goldentretriever65, @pizon and @AlwaysHopeful- all people here on connect discussing UTI or Prolapse. Please take this time to connect and ask questions. There's nothing like being able to communicate with someone how has "been there".

Did you ask the urologist about that size of your bladder? Now I'm curious to know if the size of the bladder ranges a lot. I would assume that's a common question and something they can find out with a scan.