OpenHealth Q&A

Seeking Answers for Persistent Urinary Urgency

Greetings, everyone. I’m trying to express something that’s been quite troubling, so I hope you’ll bear with me. I’m 31 years old and a mother of three, having delivered all of them naturally. My health has generally been stable, though I did undergo a partial hysterectomy six years ago, leaving me with only my ovaries. Since I was eight, I've had a recurrent issue with ovarian cysts, and there's a family history of both breast and lung cancer on my mother's side, though I am unsure about my father’s background. On March 12, I started to feel some discomfort in my lower abdomen. I suspected it might be related to a ruptured ovarian cyst and took two 500mg doses of Tylenol. The next day, while the pain persisted, I tried to brush it off. However, by evening, I found myself needing to urinate every 15 to 20 minutes. As the following morning (March 14) approached, I sensed I was developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). There was a sharp pain in my urethra, and my urination yielded only a few drops. Due to a busy schedule, I couldn’t reach my doctor that day. He prefers that patients avoid Urgent Care unless absolutely necessary. Consequently, I purchased AVO Urinary Relief and endured the situation through March 15 and 16. On Monday, March 17, my condition worsened significantly; I experienced lower back pain and more discomfort in my abdomen, while urination became increasingly difficult, although I didn’t notice any blood in my urine. When I called my doctor’s office, I learned he wasn’t available on Mondays, thus they directed me to Urgent Care. At Urgent Care, the physician performed a urine analysis, which returned normal results, but he still prescribed me antibiotics (MACROBID 100mg, duration unknown). He assured me that I would likely start feeling better by the third day. However, by March 21, my condition remained unchanged, and I managed to get an appointment with my doctor who, after a physical examination and more questions, instructed me to stop the Macrobid and prescribed CIPROFLAXACIN 500mg for a week. My doctor also conducted a three-day urine culture, which came back normal. Despite that, I noticed small improvements while taking the Cipro, which gave me hope. Fast forward to Day 7 (March 28); I still experienced urgency in my urethra. After finishing the last of my antibiotics in the morning, I decided to wait through the weekend, thinking that the medication might still need time to work. On March 31, the urgency escalated to every 5 to 10 minutes, particularly in my urethra. I reached out to schedule an appointment with my doctor for further evaluation, only to find out he was unavailable for the entire following week (March 31-April 4). My husband, witnessing my distress, called the office, and they kindly arranged for me to see a different doctor within the practice on April 2. She requested another urine sample, which again came back normal. Her only recommendation was to set up a consultation with a Urologist, but the earliest slot was in the first week of June. So, my inquiry is this: what might I be experiencing, considering the lack of clear answers? Currently, my primary symptom is an overwhelming urge to urinate, which is extremely uncomfortable. The only temporary relief I attain is from the over-the-counter AVO medication, which can only be used for two days in succession. I appreciate any insights you can provide. Thank you! 🙏

Answers (1)

4/2/2025, 9:30:48 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing a challenging and uncomfortable situation with persistent urinary urgency, and I want to acknowledge how distressing this must be for you. Given your history and current symptoms, it appears you may be dealing with a complex issue that could involve several factors, including possible bladder irritation or another underlying condition.

Main Points:

1. Persistent Urinary Urgency: This is a key concern for you, especially following your treatment for suspected urinary tract infection (UTI).
2. Previous Health History: Your history of ovarian cysts and the partial hysterectomy may be relevant to the neurological and physiological changes that impact bladder function.
3. Current Symptoms: Despite antibiotic treatment and normal urine cultures, you still experience significant urgency and discomfort.

Explanation:

The overwhelming urge to urinate can arise from various conditions, such as bladder irritation, interstitial cystitis, or residual effects from an infection that may not show up on standard tests. Given that you have seen improvements while on antibiotics but still experience urgency afterward, it suggests that the issue may not fully relate to a bacterial infection.

Next Steps:

1. Continue Tracking Symptoms: Maintain a detailed diary of your symptoms, including frequency of urination, any associated pain, and what seems to alleviate or worsen the urgency. This will be useful for your upcoming appointments.

2. Hydration: Stay well-hydrated, as dehydration can irritate the bladder. However, pay attention to how different fluids affect your symptoms and consider avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder further.

3. Over-the-Counter Relief: Since you've found temporary relief with the AVO Urinary Relief medication, consider carefully using it as directed, but ensure it is not overused, as you mentioned it's limited for continuous use.

4. Follow Up with the Urologist: Since you've been advised to consult a urologist, ensure you pursue this appointment as soon as possible. If the wait extends significantly and your symptoms worsen, consider contacting them to see if there are any cancellations.

5. Explore Other Remedies: While awaiting your urologist appointment, you might look into lifestyle changes and home remedies that may help with urgency, such as gentle pelvic floor exercises and relaxation techniques to manage urgency.

Reassurance:

It’s understandable to feel frustrated during this waiting period, especially when you're dealing with discomfort. The persistence of your symptoms warrants further investigation, and you are taking the right steps by seeking advice and planning to consult a specialist. Remember that many patients experience similar symptoms, and with further evaluation, appropriate management options can often be identified. Take care and I wish you relief soon.