Urine Sample Bottles

I've always used glass jars from jam, sauce etc that I have put through the dishwasher -and said so upon handing in. Has he tried drinking lots of properly diluted Robinson's Lemon Barley Water, and or cranberry tablets [always check with pharmacist] ?

Denby

Some infections are very hard to shift.I picked up a rarer type of streptococcus bacteria after a cystoscopy.That took 3 lots of strong antibiotics to clear.It was the worst urine infection I’ve ever had and I’ve had a lot.I feel for your husband.Best wishes Jane

Morning, Your GP’s surgery will have a complaints procedure. Name and Shame! Try dropping your MP an email. They are very nervous at the moment. Garviv

1. Hi Elpie can you tell me more about the urine testing sticks. I’ve really suffered after my last course of treatment with pain and frequent toilet trips but can’t even get into doctors so would like to self test.

Hi Ducatidave. I also have my own strips and check my water now and then. They can be bought online, but make sure it is from a reputable supplier as there are many fakes out there. They are only an indication and do not rely fully on them, but they can give indications of anything unusual such as infection or blood. If I ever see anything not right, I will pass a sample in to the GP for testing. Best wishes.

Hi Ducatidave,The urine testing strips are worth getting if you are prone to infections.A positive reaction to nitrates is a good indication that bacteria are present but leukocytes can also show up.As rily has said if anything shows on the strip get a sample sent to the lab for testing.Some doctors give out broad spectrum antibiotics and if you don’t know the specific bacteria you have they might not work.It’s no fun to be stuck on the wrong antibiotics and then have to start new ones.Best wishes Jane

Hi Denby - i do have some empty jam jars with screw on lids but currently we have to post samples into a box outside our surgery and the hole only accomodates the proper sample bottles.  Our surgery is still not letting anyone in!  We've tried the lemon barley, bio yogurts etc but the infections still keep coming back.  

It's taken us several months to get his prescriptions sorted out.  Eventually had a discussion with one of the (very unhelpful) reception team about why he required catheter supplies and how many he needed in a month.  They seemed unable to grasp the fact that he needed 60 to enable him to use a cath twice a day for a month!  I was on the point of lodging a formal complaint but at new year they seem to have turned over a new leaf.  A bit wary of complaining actually in case they strike us off.  

I bought the first ones on Amazon but the next lot on Ebay - a tub of 50 was around £7 or £8 I think.  My husband is using them 2 or 3 times a week just to keep an eye on things, but he knows from the colour/cloudiness of his urine when he has an infection.  The surgery have upped their game a bit since new year and have been sending samples for testing.  On his last infection they actually phoned him to say he needed different antibiotics which did the trick.  But a week later it was back again.  He hasn't seen anyone at the surgery since his diagnosis and only ever gets telephone calls when he phones to speak to someone.  Never from a doctor though!