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So now -- about UTI's and urine test
I tested positive so they say with the first two urine tests. Seems e-coli was in the first test, then I took the antibiotic and took another test, which showed pseudomonas. I went to another doctor for a urine analysis. Because my primary care doctor's office refused to give me another urine test because it came back positive. The strip test was clear (no positive for nitrates or leukocytes but the more complex culture showed "mixed flora." I got that test at another doctor's office. It was said it might not have been a clean catch. That may be so. Question is: how is it that the initial urine dipstick test was negative but the further test showed bacteria (or "mixed flora")? Thanks for anybody to help explain this. My doctors' office certainly won't.
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@cindiwass You have had three urine tests now, from what I am reading. Is that right? Not having a clean catch can certainly result in bacteria or a not-clean result. I think for women, especially, it is difficult to obtain a clean test unless there is catheterization, basically due to our anatomy. Have you taken any further tests that show an infection present now? Perhaps you can speak to the nurse's assistant and receive their take on it all? Are you feeling any symptoms of a UTI [smell, pain, color changes]?
Ginger
Yes, Ginger, that is correct. I suppose doctors today are overwhelmed so they don't have time to answer questions from people like me. Yes, I've had 3 tests. The first came back with e-coli, so I finally took antibiotic. But after a fight, since before it was determined that the sample showed e-coli, she immediately prescribed an antibiotic, I forget which one. But it seems there were many hard side effects. I wanted penicillin. She said no. That the one she prescribed is better. But before I took it the lab results came back w the e-coli assessment, so she changed the antibiotic. I took that. Then I had another urine test and it came back with pseudomonos or something like that. My question at this point is (now), what happened to the e-coli? It was conquered by the antibiotic? There's more but let's see if we can start there. Thanks.
P.S. I have no pain, only urgency where I often can't keep my urine. I don't know what smell to look for, so can't tell in that area. Color is yellow in first morning run, lightens up after that.
@cindiwass Your nurse or medical assistant will explain that is is not one-size-fits-all when it comes to antibiotics. They may have wanted to address the e-coli first, then any subsequent issues. You might want to check with your doctor to see if they will do follow-up, and do another urine test to see if all the infection is cleared up. You want to be sure it is not migrating to your kidneys, which can be a real problem! The urgency you feel can be a sign of infection, so you would want to bring that up to your doctor. In these times, we need to advocate for ourselves, and really push for care.
I hope this helps you.
Ginger