I am a little DISCOURAGED today. I have another UTI (and if you want to ask me why I always, ALWAYS feel the need to share this particular diagnosis with you, I have NO ANSWER to that question), and having a UTI is like being nauseated or like having a backache: it is really hard to focus on ANYTHING ELSE. And furthermore, when I feel like I badly need to pee, I also feel IRRITABLE, and I have been feeling that way since yesterday afternoon, so I have a lot of irritable stocked up.
I’m also discouraged because I thought THIS TIME the doctor would do something about this, because LAST TIME she said that NEXT TIME we’d do something about this, and I was hoping “do something” would mean “give you a fill-as-needed prescription”—but instead she did NOT do something about this and said NEXT TIME we would.
Furthermore, our insurance doesn’t want to pay for the entire cost of the lab work, and I don’t even blame them: according to the doctor, the lab work is to find out if the strain is resistant to the antibiotic they prescribed. I can see how that would be important in some situations, but in MY case, I think it’s one of the many markers of What Is Wrong With Health Care. It’s $450 for that lab work. I pay $150; my insurance pays $300—money it collected from us and from everyone else paying in. TO FIND OUT IF IT’S THE RIGHT ANTIBIOTIC. Which we could also find out for free, by waiting.
And it’s just ROUTINE, it’s just AUTOMATIC that this amount of money is spent, EVERY TIME I go in for one of these. I’m picturing that money as little dots on a map, little $300 symbols pinging pointlessly out of insurance accounts across the nation as each person with a UTI pees in a cup. And on a personal level, I am seeing those little $150 symbols pinging out of my bank account every time it’s my personal cup.
And perhaps you are wondering why I don’t just decline to have this test done, to which I reply with a blank look, because I am wondering what it might be like to live that way. I even totally worked up my courage once and resisted the lab work for several back-and-forth dialog exchanges with the doctor, explaining (1) that I thought the test was unnecessary and (2) that I was willing to take the risk of not having that test done and (3) that it was not an amount of money I considered unimportant, and the end result was that she continued to argue back at me and so the lab work was done, so I don’t really want to talk anymore about it and you are just going to have to chalk this up to a temperament component that looks unlikely to change. Maybe the day will come when I can handle more than three volleys of the ball while arguing with a medical professional about her medical opinions vs. my “this is what SEEMS like it would be the case” opinions, but that day was not today. Oh, I can do it in my head, sure! But whenever I imagine applying that script to an actual conversation with an actual doctor who will then respond to what I said rather than blushing and stammering and agreeing with my finely-put point, it does not work out.
I would be irritated by all of that, too! I hope you can sleep tonight.
Frustrating! I apologize on behalf of my people (medical providers, not insurance companies).
You should write it down! Or find a new doctor ( I know that’s harder than it sounds). My boyfriend never asked his doc anything, took what he did say at face value, and it really hurt his health. It is beyond worth it to spend some time thinking about how you can effectively advocate for your own health. You CAN do it, you just have to do it the Swistle way.
UTIs are horrific! I hope yours resolves wuickly.
I remember years ago, I had one. And then I had another one a few months after. And that one didn’t go away. Or it recurred or whatever. And the doctor – it turns out – had prescribed me a different antibiotic than I’d had the first time. And had done that little test to see if it worked. And then DID NOT look at the results of the test. Until after I’d been miserable, taking ineffective medication, for what felt like a zillion years. It was so infuriating.
Anyway, feel better!
I totally feel your pain. Literally. My infections are of the kidney-kind but it is the exact same process. My doctor told me the next step in treating chronic UTI/kidney infections is a daily low-dose antibiotic that I will take forever or at least until they think I probably won’t get them anymore. Unfortunately I can’t do it while I’m breastfeeding, so I get to go in for the infection test, plus the is-it-resistant test every couple of months. Fortunately, my labwork is covered so there isn’t a fight with my doctor over the tests, because I would cave after only one “No, you DO want this done.”
That is so ANNOYING that your doctor argued with you about something that seems so unworth arguing about. What a waste of everyone’s money. I have to tell you, that $150 would keep me from going in, until it was really, really bad. That is a lot of money to most people.
I’m so sorry. I’ve never had one (knock on wood) but I’ve heard they are awful.
OH I AM SO SORRY. I totally feel your pain in a much-too-literal way. I had 4 or 5 UTIs in a 6 month period. It was torture. You’re right, you can’t think of anything except 1) how badly you need to pee, 2) how peeing is going to hurt so bad you cry, and 3) how you won’t be able to stand the pain long enough to empty your bladder even halfway.
I eventually went on a low dose of antibiotics daily for 6 months and I haven’t had a flare-up since (the UTIs were 7 years ago). I wonder if you could just call your doctor and ask for a regimen like that? She doesn’t seem to be open to input from patients though…Did you get a prescription for phenazopyridine also? That’s the pain reliever that turns your pee bright orange. I think its pretty standard practice to prescribe that along with the antibiotics but I thought I’d mention it. You can get it over the counter also but its a lower dose.
Swistle, I hate to be a jerk offering jerky advice BUT after I had several UTI’s in a few months time I started drinking cranberry juice every day. I couldn’t keep it up, though, as I don’t really like cranberry juice very much. I tried spiking it with Malibu Rum which helped but wasn’t an every day solution. So, I started taking cranberry pills. It says on the bottle (can buy over the counter…even at Costco) to take several a day but I just take one a day in the morning and it seems to be helping. (ummm, not instead of antibiotics to get rid of one, obviously, but it seems to keep me from getting new ones…knock wood….). I’m not sure how sound the cranberry science is, but whatever as long as it is working. Just thought I’ld throw it out there.
I went in to a new hair place a few months ago. I hadn’t had a haircut in 7 months, and it had grown to my shoulders. I had postpartum falling out hair, the baby was yanking and pulling the hair out while nursing, and I only wore my hair up in a ponytail all the time. So I wanted it cut back to chin-ish length. The hairdresser told me no, that I wanted to keep it long. And that the picture I took in wouldn’t work.
I caved. It wasn’t what I wanted and I lived with it for two months. So now my hair is even longer, I still don’t like it, and I made an appointment for Wednesday at another hair place, because I’m hoping maybe this time it will work out better.
So, sigh. Hmmm, sorry this is not a more encouraging comment.
Do they know why you’re getting these? I got them from using condoms with a spermicidal lubricant. I’m assuming you regularly drink cranberry juice as a preventative? I’m sorry, UTI’s are THE WORST. They make me SO irritable.
My advice is probably annoying but I have to add, I used to use uristat (there’s also AZO) that helped relieve the pain and urgency almost immediately. Great stuff.
So sorry! Crappy day indeed!
Do you have any crappy day presents hidden away? This sounds like the perfect day for one. Hope your recovery is swift and relatively painless.
Ugh. I’d find a new doctor. But then I’m spoiled. I have Super Crappy Insurance (self-employed + a history of expensive surgeries = Super Crappy Insurance), but my doctor will do whatever I ask (well, within reason…); if I say, ‘just give me the damn antibiotic and screw the labs’ she’ll say ‘okay’. I actually have chronic sinus issues (yet another reason for Crappy Insurance) and I’ve got a standing prescription for steroids and antibiotics. So, any hope for switching doctors?
Does wine help with UTIs? ;-)
-Dr. Liz (not Fiona the dog, who also gets UTIs but has a good vet who gives her antibiotics…)
Ugh, I’m sorry. UTIs suck, and so do arguments with medical professionals.
If this is assvice, please ignore it. I just thought I’d mention it, since I had about 5-6 UTIs in 6ish months a few years ago, and it was torture. I finally got rid of them for good by taking cranberry pills every day, drinking a ton of water, eliminating caffeine and alcohol, and even abstaining from sex for a few weeks. My husband wasn’t happy about that last one, but he understood that chronic UTIs were not an option. I also severely limited sugar and refined grains in my diet. After doing that for several weeks, I got rid of the recurring UTI for good.
I got so tired of the “Get a UTI, get antibiotics, have lab work done, find out first antibiotic isn’t going to work, get a different antibiotic” that I quit going to the doctor for UTI’s. Now I take cranberry capsules and drink tons of fluids at the first twinge, and find it works just as well as antibiotics. Your mileage may vary, of course.
Well, I am bothered by a few things here:
1) Why doesn’t your doctor give you a low-dose daily antibiotic? I used to get UTI’s on a fairly regular basis (read: ALL THE DAMN TIME) and finally, I did that instead. It worked.
2) I’m confused by the need to run a culture EVERY TIME. OK, buddy. Do it ONCE, get a general idea of WHICH antibiotic works, then do THAT. Why fuck around with Bactrum every time, when that doesn’t WORK?
Plus, I think of all my good questions AFTER I’ve left the doctors. So then can I call him up? Because no way I am paying even more money to ask a question I should’ve been smart enough to ask in the first place.
I used to get them constantly and come to find out my husband had an infection that was not showing symptoms, so he just kept giving it back to me. After finally figuring that out, they went away. Not sure if your doctor has suggested this or not, but it may be worth checking out.
I hope they figure it out soon. UTI’s are not just painful they are annoying.
I’m sooo the same way about doctor advice. If they argue their point I’m VERY likely to give in extremely easily.
I’m sure you really aren’t looking for more advice, so forgive me for offering some. I was getting a ton of UTI’s and read about D-Mannose, I bought a bottle on Amazon and use it every time I get a UTI now and I don’t need antibiotics, it clears right up.
Demand a referral to a Urologist. Seriously.
In my doctor’s practice we have one really nice, communicative, responsive doctor and one that I would only see in the case of DIRE emergency due to her dismissive attitude and poor bedside manner. Doctors come in all personalities, and it sounds like you need one who will actually listen to the patient. I am the opinionated, pushy sort, so I wouldn’t take that pee test again for anything, but since you’re more shy, I think you need a doctor of the compassionate, listening ilk. There must be a better fit out there for you :)
Honestly, there is little in this world worse than a UTI. I seriously used to get them ALL THE TIME too. Like, really all the time. Ask your doctor for a UTI pain killer. If you want the name, let me know and I’ll get it to you. It helps. A LOT. My UTIs came after sex and now I take an antibiotic every time I have sex (jeez, this suddenly seems like a very personal comment), but I haven’t had a UTI since. Maybe find out if you can take a prophylactic antibiotic following whatever gives you the UTIs, if you can figure it out. But take probiotics too. End assvice.
You sound a lot like me, with the unwillingness to argue something beyond a certain point. But then I got older (and less patient for BS, I think) and now I have no problem standing my ground. It feels good.
Hopefully you reach that same point someday, Swistle! You will love it. :) (Although not the “getting older” part, probably.)
You sound just like my mother in law, and that’s a compliment. She is one of the nicest people on the planet. Unfortunately, because of that she frequently gets steamrolled by people. So I go with her sometimes to things where getting steamrolled is a likely possibility. I kind of get a kick out of situations like that and don’t take crap from anyone. So I guess what I’m saying is do you have anyone in your life that you trust who reacts differently than you do to situations like you have at the dr.’s office? Someone who you could tell how you feel beforehand who could advocate on your behalf? That way everybody is working in their own strengths and you don’t have to be quite so anxious in situations that are already stressful.
I am not a doctor BUT
I had many UTIs and I second the comment from above about the cranberry supplement pills.
I am sorry you are having all of this. UTIs are horrid.
that is all
Dang. Feel better soon!!!
Aughh. I had a recurrent yeast infection a few months ago and it was really annoying, not to mention bad for marital relations, but it STILL wasn’t as bad as a UTI.
I have a scientist friend who takes the cranberry pills as a preventative.
If you plan to stay with this doctor, I think the suggestion to write a letter is a good one. I know it worked for my mom with one of our pediatricians.
Hope you feel better soon!
I am the same way….it’s hard to argue with them. If I had my husband with me, he would be able to argue for me because he will do anything not to pay extra money!! I have been lucky I guess that my doctor doesn’t make me do the lab tests! UTIs suck!!! I don’t even know how you have lasted this long without drugs….I would have gone to the ER….then again, not sure what your insurance bill would have been for that!
Ugh, how annoying. And I always wonder HOW they come up with the cost of things. Like how does that lab work cost $450? I don’t know.
Anyway, UTI’s are awful. I hate the feeling and the pain and the not being able to sleep because you feel like you have to pee.
$150 an infection would piss me off royally, too. Wouldn’t you love to ask Ms. Doctor how much money SHE makes off of this lab test? Because DUDE. WHY?
I’m so so sorry. Suckage. :/
I can’t even get my hairdresser to not do my hair how I hate it, so no judgement here. Best of luck.
I wish you would try something for me? Just say no. That’s it. No need to argue or think on your feet. No nervous tummy argument forming in your head. You know your reasons and you have thought it through. So listen politely and then answer each piece of advice with “no, thank you”. The end. I swear to you, this works.
OK, seriously. Go to a health store or herbalist and get some Uva Ursi. You can take it as a tea or capsules or tincture. It has been PROVEN to knock out UTIs, and prevent their recurrence, better than anything. Better than cranberry, or antibiotics, or probiotics.(Though you should ALWAYS be taking a good probiotic). ‘Health’ magazine featured it and the stats on its efficacy, even. Seriously! For realz! :)
This is why I dislike the health care/insurance industry. It’s not consumer based. And yet, they try to make it seem like it is. We went ahead and got allergy testing done for my son’s allergies and my husband was all, what’s this going to cost us and all I could do was blink blankly at him because huh? No one ever says and I’m sure I could have called the ins co beforehand but the costs are arbitrary and not actually based on a true cost. And ugh, I could go on and on and on.
But yuck, I’m so sorry about the UTI. Hope this one goes away quickly.
I’m sorry – they are SO unpleasant aren’t they?
Have you tried cranberry juice (to keep them at bay), or the cranberry pills?
Might be worth a try if you have not.
Also, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. It sounds like they aren’t listening to you, and that does not make for a good patient – doctor relationship!
I’m so sorry you are going through this!
I’ve battled UTI’s for a long time….I started getting them as a teen and have had it as a recurring pain in the ass…or uh, other parts since then. I’ve tried it all-the cranberry pills and the juice and the antibiotics and the testing for this and that and the voodoo medicine, ok, maybe not the last one, but i’d be willing to resort to it if i had to, only to come up empty handed as far as results go.
i hope you find some comfort and a solution…and quick!!
I don’t have any personal experience with this but I thought of the cranberry pills, too. That situation would drive me crazy – here’s hoping your doctor will have a sudden change of heart in your favor! OR that you just never have another UTI.
Egads! If it cost me $150 every time I had a UTI I think I would cry! I get grumpy about having to spend money on over the counter drugs, but $150 is real money!
Swistle, I am sorry you are having to deal with these problems. I know you didn’t ask for advice, but I wanted to share… I have had a history of the same probles. My mother recently told me that she saw on Dr. Oz that eating horseradish will prevent UTIs. I don’t know if it is true or not and I imagine it depends on each person. I did “wiki” horseradish and it said something about it having natural antibiotic properties. Along with cranberry juice, I am trying to make this a regular part of my diet because, even more than the pain, I hate taking pills and don’t have time or money to go to the doctor so often. I just wanted to share that information in case you want to do some research of your own.