Any MD's on here .. Strange UTI symptoms?

Question

So, usually I am the one trying to help out and answer the questions. However, I can not get to the bottom of my own illness. I had been having lower abdominal pain along with back pain and how fever so I went to the doctors office. I thought it might be appendicitis but the doctor ruled that out pretty quickly and my abdominal pain has subsided quite a bit. The doctor did a urine test and told me I had a UTI. I was prescribed Cipro (250mg twice a day). I have been taking the medication for 3 1/2 days and am experiencing the following symptoms. 

- Low Grade Fever (99*-99.6*) 
- Back Pain (Only focused in very lower right quadrant) 
- Trouble Urinating (however urine is clear during the day not dark or cloudy) 
- Very Pale Stool w/ Constipation 
- Small specks of blood when wiping but no blood in stool 
- No appetite whatsoever 
- Constantly feeling dehydrated (even when drinking 60+ fl. oz. of water per day) 

Now many of these symptoms just seem to point to the fact that I still have a UTI. However, the pale stool and specks of blood concerned me. I am wondering whether the pale stool could be a side effect of taking the Cipro. I am also a bit worried about the fever although it has never been over 99.6*. 

We're in the middle of a hurricane here in PA so my doctors office is closed. I don't feel like I am in any immediate danger or need to go to the ER. However, I do suffer from panic attacks and strong anxiety so I am getting worried especially with the fever and stool changes. 

Is there anyone out there who can let me know whats going on. Again, I will not be able to seek medical attention until likely Wed. unless you feel I should go into the ER. Thanks for your time!!

Amy · Accepted Answer

I'm a registered nurse, not a doctor, but it sounds to me like yes you do still have an UTI. Maybe you need a different antibiotics. They should culture your urine and see which type of bacteria grows and adjust your antibiotics accordingly. And yes your stool consistancy and color can change as a result of antibiotics. If you're constipated, that may be causing the blood. Can you take an over-the- counter stool softener like Colace? I would continue to drink plenty of fluids, take your antibiotic until it's COMPLETELY finished (3 1/2 days may just not be long enough), take some tylenol for your fever and pain, and see your MD as soon as they open.

Jennifer · Answer

- Low Grade Fever (99*-99.6*) - 99  is not exactly considered a fever, even low grade
- Back Pain (Only focused in very lower right quadrant)
- Trouble Urinating (however urine is clear during the day not dark or cloudy) - This can easily be attributed to the UTI. Like any infection, you have swelling in your urinary tract (ureathra/bladder).
- Very Pale Stool w/ Constipation
- Small specks of blood when wiping but no blood in stool - If there is blood down there (and your are male), then you have blood in your stool, even if minimal. That is clinically significant and you need to alert a healthcare provider. GI bleed for some reason? Maybe you have polyps or diverticulosis with irritation.
- No appetite whatsoever - You have an infection, remember?
- Constantly feeling dehydrated (even when drinking 60+ fl. oz. of water per day) - Your temperature is slightly elevated and you are probably sweating more (even if you dont notice it). Your body looses tons and tons of fluid through your skin.

If your symptoms have not gone away by the end of the cipro, contact your doctor again. I would most definitely call about the blood (if you are a guy). If you are female, then it may be coming from your ureathra.

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Any MD's on here .. Strange UTI symptoms?

2 Answers