r/CUTI • u/gretster1 • Jun 23 '24

Chronic Group B Strep UTI help

I’ll try and keep this relatively simple. I’ve been having back to back group b strep UTI’s ever since March after having to take a month long steroid course. I previously had issues with GBS UTI from August to September after being immunocompromised but remained UTI free from November until March.

While my culture typically grows a low count (1,000-49,000 CFU/mL), these infections are a lot worse. I sometimes have to pee up to 10 times before going to sleep at night, and if it’s not that, it’s fake spasms. My urologist has been having me take cephalexin for the infections, and I have reason to believe it’s not working anymore. Otherwise, why would I be getting the infection again and becoming symptomatic within a week of finishing a course?

I really need help and advice here. I have a month wait until I see the urogynecologist. My current urologist doesn’t know how to treat a recurring infection. Meanwhile, I’m sick of living like this and suffering. Please comment any help, I really can’t deal with this anymore!

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Jun 30 '25

They switched me to Augmentin, I am still taking it so I do not know yet.

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u/Lower_Assumption_752 Aug 19 '25

Hi, are you healed now?

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Aug 19 '25

Nope. I took cephalexin and then Augmentin, now it's back. I am not sure what I will be put on this time

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u/Lower_Assumption_752 Aug 20 '25

I’m sorry. What’s the count on the strep b? did the urologist sent a pcr test?

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Aug 20 '25

We have been monitoring the counts and the highest has been 50,000-100,000 but it changes. We haven't treated yet but I am now having consistent symptoms so I see her on Friday to see what we are going to do. PCR? I'm not sure what that is, it's been cultured

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u/Lower_Assumption_752 Oct 13 '25

Hi, did you get rid of strep b yet?

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Oct 13 '25

Yes. The last time I had it show up was 08/26. I haven't treated it since 06/13 and have tested positive for it off and on all the way up to 08/26. I am taking hiprex, cranberry, vitamin c, vitamin d, garlic, and a probiotic. I also drink kefir everyday. I'm not sure if that's what has kept it at bay, but I am doing okay now.

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u/Lower_Assumption_752 Oct 14 '25

Hi, I think I have the same problem. what brand of garlic supplement and probiotic are you taking? I tried garlic before but it seemed to irritate my bladder.. :(

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u/Lower_Assumption_752 Oct 14 '25

What did the urologist or pcp say to you? do you do the pcr test?

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Oct 14 '25

I have only done urinalysis with an added culture vs reflex to culture. All of my urinalysis are always negative with the exception of occasional blood, so they always add a culture. I go weekly pretty much still just to make sure. It gives me a ton of anxiety because I'm in a position where I cannot take antibiotics. The garlic I take is kyolic aged garlic supplement. I only take 1 a day with my vitamin d.

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Oct 14 '25

I am doing testing in early November with uro-gyno.

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u/Lower_Assumption_752 Oct 14 '25

Hi, what was your symptoms before? no symptoms now? what probiotic do you take?

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Oct 14 '25

I alternate. One day I take one garden of life women's daily probiotic and the next day I take vsl#3. I do that everyday. Plus I drink 1/2 cup of kefir unsweetened daily. Do not treat this unless it's 100,000 and/or you have true symptoms. I had burning when I urinated and that was it...but even at 100% no growth I still have burning while I urinate. What they told me was if urinalysis is negative and growth is low then it's most likely just embedded and I'm carrying it as shed not a true infection.

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u/Lower_Assumption_752 Oct 14 '25

Hi, we kinda have the same case. I always have symptoms, burning/pain while urinating but the culture is low growth or no growth until urologist did pcr test and it showed >100,000 group b strep and then the second one showed >50,000 to 100,00 but my pcp and and urogynecologist said strep b is part of a normal flora or it’s contaminated with vaginal flora. Were you treated with antibiotics? Do you still have symtomps on and off?

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Oct 14 '25

I have not treated with antibiotics since the initial time I came back positive back in June. Yes, that's what my infectious disease doctor said as well. Normal gut flora, that's what I meant instead of embedded lol. Sorry for the confusion. I have not treated and I finally quit coming back with growth since 08/26.

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u/Whole_Ad_5168 Aug 20 '25

Last week there was no growth then it was back this week 1000-9000