Urine Retention with UTI & Diverticulitis

Posted by lucy155 @lucy155, Dec 11, 2022

Has anyone with frequent UTI's experience urine retention, sometimes needing emergency catherization?
I'm trying so hard to understand the connection between my bouts of severe urine Retention and recently diagnosed Diverticulitis. I actually presented to emergency room 12 weeks ago for extreme bladder pain and retention. Instead if a UTI (no infection detected), I ended up being diagnosed with a perforated colon and abscess.
Doctors confused, considered a possible fistula between the colon and bladder, but nothing shows on CT Scan and urine is clear. I'm going in for colon resection in two days. A urologist is planned to assist. I'm in pubic area pain now with what I think is a UTI, but my culture can back negative. I had a 3-day script for Bactrim, but it's done nothing. I'm been on 500 mg of Augmentin for the colon abscess for 40 days. That's not impacting it. I am frustrated and believe the UTI, retention and Diverticulitis is connected somehow. Anyone else with this combo?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 11, 2022

@lucy155, Bacteria do not normally live in the urinary tract. When bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply, they can cause a UTI. There are many germs that can cause urine infections or cystitis. The most common germ causing urinary tract infections is found in your digestive system, Escherichia coli (E.coli). E.coli can easily spread to the urethra and stick to the lining of your urinary system.

You may find the posts in these related discussions helpful:
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recurrent-uti/
- Urine Retention & Voiding/Bladder Dysfunction: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/urine-retention-voidingbladder-dysfunction/