Painkillers

I entirely agree with you. I didn't go to my GP with bladder symptoms; i went with something unrelated, but ended up having a urine test, which showed blood (although it looked perfectly normal to me), and then another, taken after a course of trimethaprin, which also showed blood. Hence the hospital visit. The camera showed there were no stones and no inflamation (i looked at the monitor but hadn't the faintest idea what i was looking at!). Interestingly, my niece, who is about ten years younger than me, also had traces of blood in her urine, was similarly investigated and told exactly the same thing, although she saw a different chap at the same hospital. When health professionals tell you something is so, what do you believe?

I agree - ask a pharmacist they are so good and its an NHS service to which you are entitled with no appointment needed.

Greyduster, tiny amounts may be normal for women of our age but I was in my 30's when it was first investigated. I do hope that the 'normal for your age' thing doesn't result in repeats of what happened with adaunas, that is nothing unit something serious kicked in.

anno, my doc referred me to the urology climic last year because he said I had blood in the urine. The urologist said that tiny amounts of blood in the urine were perfectly normal for 'women of my age' and after giving me a bladder scan just to satisfy the GP (who, he gave me the impression, was wasting his time and mine!) he told me to go home and not worry about it.

It didn't sound as if the OP's GP was motivated to take the investigation further until it got desperate. Take care of yourself Iam.

Anno, I've had this for at least 25 years. I've done 24 hour screening and had cameras etc. The urologist finally told me not to worry, "it's normal for you". I was reinvesting acted about three years ago, same diagnosis. It always causes a flurry though when I present myself at a new appointment. This op has reminded me I probably need to nudge my gp to get the urolog dept to check again. Last time I was scanned the technician told the student "we're keeping a close eye on ms I am". Three years? Close eye

The question is, why on earth were you told that blood in urine is normal? I can't say I've ever heard that one!

Why not have a word with your local pharmacist? He would be able to help because some over the counter drugs interact with drugs that you may be taking.

I would ask my GP too. Aspirin and ibuprofen are both anti-inflammatory medicines if you can take them (well, one of them, not both at once!).

Can you not ask your GP to prescribe something?