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Suggest Treatment For Leg Cramps And Bladder Infection

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Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2015
Question: I am experiencing leg crams and a bad taste in my mouth. Completed a 3 day treatment (Cipro) for a bladder infection. Still having a bit of pain in the flank area on both sides (leg cramps on both sides also).
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Get urine test for culture and sensitivity to find out the organism.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,

I have read the query and understand the concern.

If you have still pain over flanks and leg cramps with ciprofloxacin antibiotic then I would advice you get your routine urine test and urine culture and sensitivity testing done to find out the organisms causing this bladder (UTI) infection and antibiotics to which they are sensitive to.

It might be possible that the organism has become resistance to ciprofloxacin antibiotics and as a result you still have not much improvement even after 3 days.

In my opinion,you may require another broad spectrum antibiotics (like Cefotaxime) along with urinary antiseptic like Nitrofurantoin twice daily and urine alkaliser thrice daily

You may switch on to appropriate antibiotics as per culture report later on. . Ensure to drink more water to keep your urine dilute This will help to control dysuria.

So,better you consult urologist and get your self investigated properly to find out the exact organism causing UTI.

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Thanks and Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (31 minutes later)
Dr. Kabra
Thank you for your reply and recommendations.

I plan to contact my Primary Care physician tomorrow. I began my antibiotics on Wed and spoke to my doctor on Thursday. He said he felt my symptoms should improve over the weekend once I completed my Cipro course. My Dr. also told me he sent my urine analysis for culture. This is consistent with your suggestions and to gain your input has been helpful for me.
Regards,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you can continue with ciprofloxacin.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for immediate follow-up.

So,as your doctor said you can continue with ciprofloxacin (which is also a broad spectrum antibiotic) for complete course of treatment.

The urine culture and sensitivity (which your doctor already sent) testing report will decide the further course of treatment.

Wishing you a good health.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (21 minutes later)
Dr. Kabra
The concern I have is I have finished the Cipro course. It was 2 per day for 3 days. I finished taking all 6 pills on Friday evening and yesterday (Saturday) my symptoms returned. Since it is Sunday, I am concerned things will progress since I have no way to change to a broader based or longer acting antibiotic.
Another question I have is Keflex or Amoxicillin effective for UTI?
Any suggestions?
Thanks again
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Antibiotic course should be taken for minimum 10 days in UTI.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up.

3 days broad spectrum antibiotic course won't be sufficient in case of UTI.

I generally give my patients tablet levofloxacin in 750 mg dosage for at least 10 to 14 days (ciprofloxacin is also a good) but 500 mg dosage would be insufficient or in case of UTI we need to give more dosage than usual for 10 to 14 fays to get rid off infection completely or to prevent relapse or recurrence.

So,I would advice you to see your treating physician or if appointment is not feasible then contact some local doctor who will prescribe you appropriate antibiotic for complete course.

Meanwhile, your urine culture report will also come.

Keflex or amoxicillin is effective but not the first choice drug nowadays especially in case of UTI,rather quinolones or cephalosporins (3rd generation) would be far better choice.

I am sure your symptoms won't come back after complete course of the sensitive broad spectrum antibiotic.

Hope this will information will certainly help you.

Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (10 minutes later)
Dr. Kabra

Thank you again for your advice and prompt reply.
I will definitely follow up with my GP tomorrow to further treat this infection. It sounds as if it will be necessary to change to another antibiotic or an additional prescription of Cipro, as you mentioned.

Your responses have been very helpful.
Regards,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Additional prescription of cipro but in 750 mg dosage.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I would recommend to continue with cipro but not in 500 mg but you should take 750 mg dosage (For that you can take 1.5 table of 500 mg) which will be sufficient and also required in case of UTI for at least 10 days with other symptommatic treatment.

In case if your urine culture/sensitivity report is suggestive of resistant to cipro then you will need to change the antibiotic to the sensitive one.

Your GP will know about it.Do not worry.

Regards,
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Sandip Kabra

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3078 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Leg Cramps And Bladder Infection

Brief Answer: Get urine test for culture and sensitivity to find out the organism. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to health care magic, I have read the query and understand the concern. If you have still pain over flanks and leg cramps with ciprofloxacin antibiotic then I would advice you get your routine urine test and urine culture and sensitivity testing done to find out the organisms causing this bladder (UTI) infection and antibiotics to which they are sensitive to. It might be possible that the organism has become resistance to ciprofloxacin antibiotics and as a result you still have not much improvement even after 3 days. In my opinion,you may require another broad spectrum antibiotics (like Cefotaxime) along with urinary antiseptic like Nitrofurantoin twice daily and urine alkaliser thrice daily You may switch on to appropriate antibiotics as per culture report later on. . Ensure to drink more water to keep your urine dilute This will help to control dysuria. So,better you consult urologist and get your self investigated properly to find out the exact organism causing UTI. Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions. Thanks and Regards.