posted
I believe that I contracted lyme disease in 2000, and I only figured this out last year (and I still haven't had treatment beyond 3 weeks of doxy last summer--yes, after 7 years of having this).
Anyway, in 2003 I started having microscopic hematuria (tiny amounts of blood in my urine that isn't visible to the naked eye). This always shows up when my urine is tested and I've been checked out and no cause has been found. I also have bouts of urinary irritation and times when I urinate frequently.
Is this a lyme symptom? If so, what causes this? I appreciate your help! Thanks!
Posts: 14 | From Indianapolis, IN | Registered: Nov 2008
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
Bladder problems can be a Lyme symptom. I don't know if yours is. I would get a kidney panel done.
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
yes, blood in urine is a sign of kidney problems, so please have it tested.
i go thru the same thing so have quarterly or semi-annual testing done!
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posted
I did have a work-up in 2003 that included a scan to look for kidney stones and a cystoscopy. I repeated the cystoscopy in 2008, but not much additional work-up.
Is it that the lyme causes urinary problems that lead to other kidney and bladder problems, or is there a specific lyme-related thing that they would be looking for?
Posts: 14 | From Indianapolis, IN | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
i have also have had this-i was admitted to the hospital one time because of this.
like jenny they have done all of their tests and never found anything!
i would like to know why
Posts: 303 | From Jekyll Island, GA | Registered: Sep 2008
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
Hey Jenny.
I have had Lyme for 5 years.
Caught it early and overmedicated myself beyond the beyond.
Moved from an endemic area.
Now, over the last year and a half I have what you speak of.
I went to a urogyne who saw very little. No real prolapse to mention. Other anatomy good.
Also more recently started having a bit more mucousy discharge, not foul, just more abundant and unexplainable.
All urine and typical STD culturing (chlamidia and ghonorea) came back normal. Although urinary discomfort for 1.5 years.
Mild dysplasia on colposcopy recently had due to past three months of postcoidal bleeding. Paps normal-2 taken in 5 months. Anyway, after colp biopsies the bleeding area would not heal.
I was told by my GP (not gyne,gave up on him) I was excoriated there, red and inflamed. But looked like it had been feeling for the last 1.5 years, only difference was somebody noticed.
New urine had blood and bacteria. New vaginal swabs had multiple bacteria, rbc, and epithelial cells. It's like whatever was there when cut into could no longer hide itself from the most curious.
I have taken doxy for two weeks, did a little.
Now I'm on Flagyl awaiting bacterial results. Can't wait.
I will let you know if my urinary pressure, pain, and urgency go away after all this time on Flagyl.
I am convinced that not all bacteria that plague the urinary system are tested for or even detected. Could it be Lyme...could be.
Judging from all the problems my DD had with her urinary issues on Lyme presentation minus the blood, I'd say it's likely you're fighting a different kind of bacteria than TBDs.
I say this since you have checked the big picture and like me, everyone kept saying I was fine.
I guess I'll know more in a few days.
Hang in there.
I don't recall what antibiotics your on, but maybe try a kick butt one that covers as much as possible.
greta
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I have this, too since at least 1970. Most of the times when they check my urine there is microscopic hematuria. Also had UTIs often: with and without bacteria found.
I have been checked a million times since - they never found anything.
I think it is a Lyme or Co. thing - I had Lyme since my childhood.
Gabrielle
Posts: 767 | From Germany | Registered: Feb 2004
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
Well--they do call Babs Redwater Fever!
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posted
Agree with adamm, Is your urine a darker color? Could be related to babesia. Lymetoo had an older babs symptom list with this on it (dark urine).
Posts: 269 | From VA | Registered: Jun 2005
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
I think I had very dark urine but only very early on like the same week I had a bulls eye rash.
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Adam, I have never heard that term, but...Yes, a very common Babesia symptom is blood in the urine.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470
posted
I also have had lyme and co since 2000 and I also have microscopic blood in the urine. I think it is kidney damage from lyme.
Been checked out by a urologist who can find nothing wrong. I first found it in 2006 but not sure how long it has been going on. All my kidney panels come back normal so I'm not worried about kidney failure. At least, not right now.
I've done a lot of treatment so far and it's still there. I want to do bicillin injections next so we'll see if that helps.
I had an OB recently tell me I had blood in my urine and I told him it was always that way and it was from kidney damage. He laughed and said, "how do you know it's not from a UTI?"
What I told him and what I WANTED to tell him were two different things. I just told him about the urologist ruling everything else out and how I am on abx already that would cover any UTI I might have.
That jerk! If I ever see him again...I think I'll laugh and ask him if I can share my lyme with him?!? He won't think it's so funny then!
Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
There are herbs & cranberry juice which is supposed to be effective for urinary tract infections...
Do a search on Google for more info. I think the natural remedies are better than the abx for this. I used to get UTI alot when I was younger.
I'm not sure how serious your infection is but it can't hurt to try the natural products for a bit. I did hear that cranberry juice is not recommended if you have kidney stones, though.
Several herbs work well to prevent bladder infection. The best known is cranberry. Studies show that cranberry juice drinkers get far fewer infections than do people who don't use it. This popular folk remedy creates an inhospitable environment for the alkaline-loving bacteria by making urine more acidic.
Israeli researchers at the Weizman Institute of Science and Tel Aviv University have discovered that cranberries do much more than slightly acidifying urine.
They prevent bacteria from attaching to the bladder's wall so infection can't take hold. That's good news for people prone to repeated infections since cranberries can be taken for a while without fear of side effects.
Since commercial cranberry juice is loaded with sugar, use unsweetened concentrate or cranberry capsules from the natural food store.
The recommended daily dose to treat or prevent bladder infection is about six ounces a day of pure cranberry juice.
The following herbs have different, but all beneficial, effects on the kidney and urinary system. Some are very nutritious, some help reduce inflammation and promote healing of the urinary tract, whilst others are antibacterial, antiseptic, and increase the removal of waste products specifically. Most have a diuretic effect.
Herbs For Kidney Cleanse - Couch grass
Couch grass is a diuretic and the mucilage helps soothe an inflamed and irritated urinary tract. It also helps heal the urinary tract.
Couch grass increases the amount of urine by the osmotic process. It has some active constituents with an antibiotic effect, and can be used in gout and rheumatism. It is also used in cystitis, prostatitis, nephritis, calculus (stones), urethritis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Herbs For Kidney Cleanse - Uva Ursi (Bearberry)
Uva ursi is a urinary antiseptic, and an astringent herb. It has an antibacterial effect on the kidney, that is effective against e. coli, proteus, klebsiella, staphyloccocus, and pseudomonas. The antibacterial effect is at its strongest 3 to 4 hours after taking the herb, as some of the active constituents are converted in the kidneys to activate the antiseptic effect.
Uva ursi is used in cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis and dysuria. But it is not to be used in kidney diseases, or if the infection has progressed up the urinary tract.
Herbs For Kidney Cleanse - Horsetail
Horsetail is high in silica, and is used as an astringent in the genito-urinary tract. It is also a diuretic. It has been found to reduce the levels of lead in the body, and there is "evidence of an anti-rheumatic effect and a positive effect on lipid [fat] metabolism". (Fisher and Painter)
The increased volume of urine helps flush out irritants and infectious agents. The astringent action may help with bladder tone and the reduction of prostate enlargement. The high levels of silica help with tissue repair.
Horsetail is used in cystitis, prostatitis, prostatic enlargement, incontinence, edema with menopause or arthritis, and urethritis. It helps prevent damage to the ureters, bladder, and urethra, and the prostate.
Herbs For Kidney Cleanse - Parsley
Parsley is an excellent diuretic and as such it is used for edema and urinary stones. It is believed to increase the elimination of waste products like urea, and other acidic metabolites, and thus used for gout and arthritis.
Parsley should not be used in pregnancy, nor is it recommended in painful menstrual periods. It is fine for nursing mothers, however, and is believed to encourage milk production. Fresh parsley is very nutritious.
Herbs For Kidney Cleanse - Nettle
Nettle is highly nutritious, with vitamins and minerals including chlorophyll and beta carotene, vitamins A, B2, C and E, calcium, potassium, and iron.
Nettle has been proven to increase the elimination of the waste product, uric acid. It is a diuretic, and has been found successful in managing the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy, particularly in combination with saw palmetto.
Nettle has an antibacterial effect, and has been found to be effective against staphylococci and other bacteria. It is useful in arthritis and rheumatic problems because it helps get rid of metabolic wastes. It is also used in chronic cystitis.
Herbs For Kidney Cleanse - Corn Silk
Corn silk has a lot of vitamin K and potassium. It is used for acute or chronic inflammation of the urinary tract, cystitis, prostatitis, night time urination, and urethritis.
Corn silk is not a well studied herb, but it is a diuretic. In China, it is used for edema. It also has antiseptic properties, and is soothing to the urinary tract.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I had that.
My LLMD diagnosed me with babesia.
So, it is a symptom of that co-infection.
Not to say it couldn't be anything more serious,
So it would be best to check it out.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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