For the last couple of weeks I haven't been feeling well, just kind of lethargic and my body couldn't decide if it was too hot or too cold. Before starting prednisone this was one of my PMR symptoms but I'd go to the doctor and they could never find anything wrong with me. So when these symptoms surfaced I thought it had something to do with the PMR.
Finally I started having the flank pain in my back which I was blaming on the bulging discs I have at L-2/3 & L-3/4. Then two days later the burning sensation when I would urinate showed up and I finally had evidence of a UTI. Went to the doctors and sure enough it was a urinary tract infection. The doc prescribed Bactrim an antibiotic and I took 3 doses before I thought about any med interactions. I am on methotrexate and sure enough it read not to take Bactrim with MTX. Called the doctor and got the script changed to Ceftin and am feeling better already.
Anyway the reason I am posting this is because so many things we blame on our many illnesses but sometimes we are really ill. So we need to be extra conscious of what our bodies are telling us and not be nervous of the doctors thinking we are hypochondriacs.
Also with the med screw up. The doctor I saw was just a GP and not familiar with prescribing mtx. I normally use a mail-in company for my long term meds but just stopped at a pharmacy for the antibiotic not thinking that they didn't have my med history. So no red flags appeared when I picked up the order. I will now use only the one pharmacy for short term meds and I have advised them of the meds I take so any interactions will show up on the computer. A lesson learned.
Russellcat - same thing has happened to me, twice now (no med mess though). I think what happens is that the steroids reduce the inflammation in the bladder that would be our immediate symptom for quite some time until the infection is massive and so we ignore the initial accompanying symptoms.
As far as the med mess goes - the GP should have asked if you were on any other meds before choosing the drug. Of course - even better is to do a urine culture and make sure you are using the most appropriate antibiotic! In the UK they usually start you on trimethoprine straight away but you then need to call to check that it is suitable once the results come back as they take about 3 days. Bactrim is trimeth plus something else - presumably to deal with the other possibilities. (One of the most common causes of a UTI is actually E. Coli - usually found in the gut. Remember the hygiene lessons girls!)
MrsE
Just cannot resist this one
At first sign of UTI, I take bicarbonate of soda (1 teaspoonful) in as little water as possible, repeat every two hours - after two or three doses - infection gone.
Old wives remedy from the days when we could not afford a visit to the Doctor as it cost 6 old pennies a visit.
They checked and yes it was e coli and the new med is good for it. I agree that the doctor should have checked before prescribing the med because I had given the nurse a complete list of my meds at my appointment. That's why I always check when I get home to the computer.
My rheumy has a pocket computer thingy that he inserts meds into to check for side effects and other info. Very handy little gaget. All docs should have one.
This is my first one in over 2 yrs. I was doing so good. I was having problems before with uti's so I started using the moist butt wipes and haven't had any problems until now.
Interesting remedy Mrs. UK but I think I'll stick to antibiotics. If I get into a dire situation though I will keep it in mind. Thanks
I do think that being on the prednisone & mtx does lower our natural immune systems so our bodies can't fight an infection as it should. Now I have to be on the look out for thrush or a yeast infection with the antibiotics.
Yes - it's the difference between cyctitis (where bicarb and possibly cranberry juice help) and bacteria where they don't. You can get probiotic pills which should help with the risk of the thrush/yeast infection but organic yoghurt will also help keep the gut flora in balance. It's annoying that one single event away from home without the baby wipes is enough to trigger the whole UTI thing which is what happened to me! I didn't mind waiting for the urine test to come back - I wasn't in agony (thanks to the steroids I'm sure) and I'd rather have the right antibiotic straight off than have two or them use a "broad spectrum" version which kills all known things - except what I have!
You can get apps for Blackberries and other devices for drugs - so I assume also for interactions so it would hardly be a big thing for a doctor to acquire! I just posted on the other about taking a list of symptoms and drugs, carefully checked and printed out, to any appointment - hand it over "in case I forget to tell you something I know about". You take the blame for needing it - if they then don't look at it and it included essential info: their fault if they then say they didn't know!
Hope you're feeling much better!And free to leave the house!
MrsE
russellcat, I am so glad you are feeling better. Getting a bacterial infection has been one of my greatest fears since starting on prednisone --especially since I'm allergic to penicillin and sulfa drugs. Glad the docs finally got it together!
Stay well now!
freesia
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com