I know nothing about the flare and UTI connection but I can tell you about the UTI's that Ive been having. Ive had them when I was in high school and I know all the symptoms of burning, pressure, always having the feeling to go ect. But my last 2 UTI's were nothing like that at all. I didnt even know that I had one except the fact that my urine smelled very strong and I asked my doctor and she ran a test and I had one. I have bladder retention so I get UTI's quite often so now I dont go by the usual symptoms but the urine smell... MS is so freaking strange...

Hi Lynne,
Yes you can have a uti without the obvious burning. Sometimes urine smells or looks cloudy, other times you wont know till test is done.
It is the same as any infection - can cause ms symptoms to flare up or get worse/troublesome.
Hope this helps.

I think UTI is an infection and infections worsen symptoms. And worsened symptoms can feel like a full blown relapse.

Like MS people don't feel things some MS people don't feel the symptoms of UTI-they are asymptomatic for UTI. When diagnosed I had a history of not finding out I had a UTI until pre-surgical tests were done to fix a broken ankle that I had, I'm asymptomatic for UTI. Luckily that was the only time I got a UTI, but UTI's that can no longer be treated was the leading cause of death due to complication of MS 6 years ago, when I researched it.

Then you fall back on what sue said about oder, Drink pre-emptive cranberry juice or get cranberry pills to prevent a UTI.

I even bought on of those over the counter UTI home tests. But I found the test results pretty erratic, so I never bought a home testing kit again.

Woman can avoid them much of the time by drinking fluids and often flush a UTI out by drinking more. I don't get them, so I don't know. I only had that one I found out during pre surgical test and it occurs to me that might have been a false test result at that!

i just went to the docs on friday for my monthly check and they do their reg ua check and as usual i have a ua infection i usually run one once evey three months without any symptoms. my doc says its the ms and stress of course and once uhave them a few times ur gonna be prone to having them more often. i get them all the time. i drink fluids to flush. i drink cranberry juice at least 3 glasses a week and 2pills a week it helps doc recommended. but ua s r common in ms. one of the many perks.

lisa-
what your doing is working, so a person can't fix whats working, but are your UTI's from urinary retention, many people have to start to self catherterize for that reason & I read of some folks on tysabri who take a maintenance med to prevent a UTI-

I read in a reply this statement...I take a macrobid every night to help prevent UTI's but I do still get them. Infact, I just started Cipro for one today.

i'll message a link to the source.

My second actual flare was due to a severe UTI, I did not even know that I had one, contacted neuro because i was having trouble big time, he sent me for a UA and bingo... had one bad enough had to have it rechecked 10 days later and still had it, more meds... so know to keep it away i usually drink a glass of cranberry juice couple times a week-or i eat some craisins..it helps..

good luck

I had a UTI, got a fever end up in ER, the MS flared up and got really bad. I didn't even know a I had a UTI.
But looking back I do rember noticeing that my urine smelled strong.
At the time I was working at a factory, and wasn't drinking enough water, just couldn't run to the bathroom when I need to. I'm sure this didn't help it. But now I drink water & cranberry juice.

I used to get UTIs frequently. I would usually go the natural route, uva ursi capsules always cleared it up. Of course lots of water too. Now I have been diligent in taking cranberry capsules twice a day and have not had any. Its good for any woman to do, regardless of MS. I much prefer that to taking antibiotics frequently. I didn't really notice a correlation to symptoms, but I'll keep an eye on that next time. If there is a next time.

I get UTIs and do not have burning. I am not sure if my MS is preventing me from feeling the burning part or not. Any infection or fever can cause symptoms to flare. If you think of it, fever causes your body heat to rise. Heat of any kind with MS is not usually good for MS people.

this is interesting to me...i have had all the symptoms of a uti,.had the pee test and no infection found, huh? also as nahlie mentioned my urine smells awfull. what the hell?

Thank you everyone who responded to my post on UTI's. When I went to the doctors at the beginning of the week, I discussed my symptoms, similar to those of yours, and it turned out today I found out I do have a UTI. I don't know how long I would have gone with this if I hadn' asked the question.

This demonstrates the power of this site, other's helping others. Many thanks again!!

Glad everyone was able to help you & that you did go to the Dr.
Hope your uti clears up quickly too.
Take care.