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What Causes The Urge To Urinate Even When Empty And Lower Abdominal Cramps?

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Posted on Fri, 4 Oct 2019
Question: I think I have uti. I have urge to urinate even when empty. I have cramps in lower abdomen and back ache
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It does sound like you have a UTI, and given your age and that you are having back ache with it, there is the risk that this could be more than a lower UTI (bladder infection) and could involve your kidneys.

Here are my recommendations:
1. Before starting on an antibiotic, a urine specimen should have been taken and sent for culture and sensitivity. Then an antibiotic is started "empirically" and when the culture results in a couple of days, the doctor will know whether that antibiotic is one that covers the infection. Without a culture and sensitivity, it is somewhat of a gamble. If this was not done before starting on Cipro, it is probably too late to do so, but for future, make sure that one is done before starting an antibiotic.

2. When the specimen is given, a "dip" urinalysis can be done right in the office or clinic while you wait to make sure it looks like a UTI. This is a rather course test, but does give the doctor an idea of what they are dealing with.

3. Cipro from 2 years ago may not be effective. I recommend that if you have already started on it, that you request the doctor call in a new prescription for the remaining doses and take that now.

4. If you develop fever, nausea, chills, or increasing back or flank pain, then you need to go in to the ER as those are signs of increasing kidney infection.

5. Push water and cranberry juice (unless you have diabetes). Best to make the cranberry juice from concentrate rather than commercial brands like Ocean Spray as the latter have a lot of sugar and if you are drinking a lot of it, you can get too much sugar.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes The Urge To Urinate Even When Empty And Lower Abdominal Cramps?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello, It does sound like you have a UTI, and given your age and that you are having back ache with it, there is the risk that this could be more than a lower UTI (bladder infection) and could involve your kidneys. Here are my recommendations: 1. Before starting on an antibiotic, a urine specimen should have been taken and sent for culture and sensitivity. Then an antibiotic is started "empirically" and when the culture results in a couple of days, the doctor will know whether that antibiotic is one that covers the infection. Without a culture and sensitivity, it is somewhat of a gamble. If this was not done before starting on Cipro, it is probably too late to do so, but for future, make sure that one is done before starting an antibiotic. 2. When the specimen is given, a "dip" urinalysis can be done right in the office or clinic while you wait to make sure it looks like a UTI. This is a rather course test, but does give the doctor an idea of what they are dealing with. 3. Cipro from 2 years ago may not be effective. I recommend that if you have already started on it, that you request the doctor call in a new prescription for the remaining doses and take that now. 4. If you develop fever, nausea, chills, or increasing back or flank pain, then you need to go in to the ER as those are signs of increasing kidney infection. 5. Push water and cranberry juice (unless you have diabetes). Best to make the cranberry juice from concentrate rather than commercial brands like Ocean Spray as the latter have a lot of sugar and if you are drinking a lot of it, you can get too much sugar. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.