Question
 

I have had a bladder infection for about three weeks that is not going away. I am on my second antibiotic to see if it helps. My doctor said it could be taking longer to get over since my immune system is down (I have been on bi-weekly Taxol since Feb. and weekly Herceptin since Nov.), but I am starting to worry that it could be something else. I had liver mets show up on my scan in Oct and again in Feb which I why I am on treatment again. Has anyone heard of mets to the bladder or am I just worrying for nothing? I go in next week for another PET scan, but I am just freaking out a little.

Any advice will help.

Thanks
Stephanie B.

Personal Physician or OBGYN/
 

Dear Steph: I had a UTI and instead of asking the onc. I booked an appointment with the OBGYN (she was great) and ordered an ultrasound of the ovaries, including the bladder. Just like you I did not know what to do, and after I posted the question here, I got the advice to see either a Personal Phscy or OBGYN.

Maybe you can try the same.. Good luck. Hang in there, do not worry you do not know what's wrong, wait until you see a physician.

I think it is definitely true that it is more difficult to treat infections (including UTI) with your immune system depressed. I assume your doctor tested you for the UTI initially, so this would confirm it was in fact an infection rather than something more sinister. That doesn't make it any easier, tho.

Try not to freak out (I know - easier said than done). What you KNOW is that it is tougher to fight the infection with your current treatment going on. We can sure drive ourselves crazy with scanxiety alone, not to mention having other suspicious things adding to it. Taxol's pretty strong stuff - assume it is working!

Take care - hope your scan shows good results and your other problem clears up fast!

Nice Picture!
 

Dear Chrisy: Just a note to tell you....What a nice Pic!!!!!

Thank you for the responses. My doctor did test for UTI and said thats what it is - but can't help but wonder. You have put my mind at ease a little.

Thanks again

Stephanie

S.B. - I had recurrent UTIs and bladder infections on Taxol/Herceptin. We found that my culture revealed that mine were always Bactrim resistant, so eventually I was always given Cipro from the get go.

It is a result of no estrogen, so tissues get dry, sensitive, and irritated. It's easy for little infections to take hold and spread. We figured this out and my doc put me on Estrace vaginal cream 4-5 times a week to sooth my pissed of female tissues including the urinary tract. It made the difference and I stopped having the UTIs.

Same with me Brenda except I am on estring.

When I got the e coli thing, they tested me to see which antibiotics worked and which didn't for me. Can they do that on you to get the right one started? ma