I am sorry you are having bladder problems. I was told by specialist and reg drs that fibro just makes our pains worse, causes wide spread pain and those flaring tenderpoints.

Fibro doesn't cause badder problems, it would just make the pain from the bladder infection worse it wouldn't cause it.

Hope your urologist finds out the problem good luck.

As MAGICpill said, fibromyalgia doesn't cause infections - but it can make you feel worse, just because you already feel bad when you're not sick.

I assume your urologist is doing cultures to ensure that the organism causing the infection (usually e-coli) is not resistant to the antibiotic you're taking. There are so many resistant organisms now that it's really important to make sure you're on one that will actually take out the problem bacteria.

One thing some doctors are reluctant to ask about is sexual activity, which is a primary contributor to urinary tract infections. It's such a common "cause" that there is reference to "honeymoon cystitis" because so many brides get a UTI due to heavy activity.

I found my occurrence of UTIs went WAY down after I started using a pharmaceutical grade probiotic. When I got the balance of intestinal flora normalized, a nice side effect was less UTIs. Didn't see that one coming and I can only assume that an overabundance of e-coli was making me more vulnerable.

I have dealt with bladder issues and what i have found is that it isn't always an infection but more irritation of the urethra. There are multiple foods that can promote this problem. Look up the list of foods on the internet. I also take a probiotic as Peace as said, which helps. When the irritation starts I increase my water and flush my system and re-evaluate my food choices for the past few days. It is just another issue we deal with as suffers of FM.

For better or for worse, mine is always an infection. They always check my urine while I'm there, and then do a culture to make sure it's the right antibiotic.

My doctor has, from time to time, looked at my urine and said "it doesn't look too bad..." and then done the culture only to find I was right...again.

Bladder issues are very common with FM and they even list them as a symptom of Fibromyalgia on the American College of Rheumatology website.

http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/fibromyalgia.asp

I have had bladder problems or abdominal pain since being diagnosed in 1998. I have frequently thought I had an infection and when tested I didn't. Only had an actual infection a few times.

Here is something else

. After using the bathroom always wipe front to back, that should help also.

Also after sex, wash yourself off.

Peace already said that, sorry should have read closer.

Rdm is right drink alot of water.

And when you feel like you have to urinate do, dont ever hold it,

Thank you all for your advice. I know about the certain foods that can cause urethra pain, tried that.. I always wipe front to back, pee right after sex and always hop in the shower EVERYTIME afterwards. This isthe first time in a year since I've had bladder pains, and I really can't afford my urologist like I was able to last year. I'm just scared I'll need another expensive procedure.. wanted to know if anyone with fm has the same problems and how they deal best.

My probiotic and drinking a lot of water are my biggies that have made a difference.

Also as Magicpill said, always pee right away when you feel the urge. Holding it stretches your bladder and can cause tiny fissures that make it easier for the bacteria to get a foothold.

I can't eat chocolate, caffeine, gluten, sugar and milk. If I do I can't hold my bladder and have lots of pain.

My daughter has a nuerogenic bladder (easy way to explain is it doesn't work.) and she can get urinary tract infections from not emptying all the way. Have you had a cmg or vcug?

And just to clarify, what skinnybinny said is correct, but doesn't apply to actual infections.

The American College of Rheumatology lists "irritable or overactive bladder" as symptoms sometimes experienced by people with fibromyalgia.

We have a number of people here who have those issues.

They have been a problem for me since my surgeries in 2003. Re-acuring infections (bladder, fever blisters, etc..) of some sort are very common in my case. I'm not saying that the fibro causes this, however I do believe that that fibro has had a negative effect on my ammune system. But I was also dx'd with hep c so maybe that has something to do with it. I am currently fighting an infection and broke out a few days ago. I have been dealing with a lot of stress lately & felt like I was gong to break down. I was crying and my eyes were swollen, itchy, and red (mmj too) and what felt like a simple itch, turned into a few blisters! My eyesight was screwey (blurry). So i went to see my dr. and she said that it doesn't look like typical herpes zoster but that's exatly what it feels like. Anybody???

Re: Difficult bladder infections

The last one I had lasted (or rather reoccurred) for five months. Each culture showed a different bug. Am allergic to a lot of antibiotics and ended up on home IV infusions to get it knocked out.

What helped me was going to an infectious medicine specialist (referred by urologist). He was able to work around the puzzle of each antibiotic leaving me more vulnerable to other strains of bacteria. Home IV was no fun, the drug made me pretty sick, but did the trick.

In addition to all the hygiene tips others have given, I also had a Thai type bidet installed. It is just a hose with a spray nozzle that tapes into the water supply just before it reaches the toilet. (An inexpensive alternative to standard bidet). Getting to rinse after every time I use the toilet is a useful thing for me. Also for external related irritation Vaseline was recommended to protect tissue from sometimes burning effect caused just by exposure to to what ever is in urine (antibiotics or something I ate would cause discomfort.).

Have not had an infection since.

Hope you are able to sort this out soon. Bladder infections feel so icky and can back up into kidneys so please be vigilant.

Hugs

Also if you dont like the taste of cranberry juice, they have tablets that also help.