Hello!

I am new to this forum, and I've come here out of sheer desperation for some opinions/suggestions/feedback regarding some symptoms that have been plaguing me.

I realize that whatever anybody suggests cannot be a proper substitution for professional medical care, but any ideas would at least help me with what I should do next.

I am a 25 year old woman on Orthro Try Cyclen Lo. I originally started taking it to regulate my periods, but also being in a monogamous relationship with my boyfriend, it also serves as my primary birth control method. I take it faithfully every day, and around the same time every day. My last Pap was normal as was my regular physical. Here's what's been plaguing me lately.

Ten days ago, I awoke to what felt like an abnormally full bladder. I relieved myself, as I'm sure everyone does upon waking up, but within a half an hour felt as though I had to go again...and again...and again...While there was no major pain involved, I figured it was the start of a UTI so I started drinking a LOT of pure cranberry juice and water to try and flush it out of my system. (In the past, that has done the trick and I've been able to avoid having to see a doctor.) This time was quite different. The strange part is that the urgency to urinate doesn't feel at all like it's truly coming from my bladder, but from my urethra. This is especially (and almost completely limited to) when I'm standing up and/or standing and walking around. When I sit, the urge isn't there as often. I tested my urine three days after symptoms and the AZO said it was positive for WBC but negative for nitrites. I work retail, so going back and forth to the bathroom (especially if I'm running the front) is VERY hard to do. I was put on Bactrim for classic UTI symptoms and just told to continue drinking water and urinate frequently. Well, I've finished the Bactrim as of yesterday and, while the symptoms haven't gotten any worse, they haven't gotten any better either. I'm positive that I'm not pregnant, being that I AM on the birth control pill, (though I realize nothing but abstinence is 100% effective) and considering that I haven't had sexual relations since the tail-end of my last period which was the second to last Saturday during May. To be on the safe side, of course, I've tested myself for the possibility, but the pregnancy test came up negative. I will retest should I happen to miss my next period, although I doubt pregnancy is the cause of these symptoms. (And I have no other symptom or reason to believe that I could be pregnant.) I've been going crazy online searching my symptoms, freaking out that it could be interstitial cystitis, urethral diviculara, or the even more illusive urethral syndrome. I've never had symptoms quite like this before--in the past when I've had UTIs, I've had ALL the painful and crappy-feeling symptoms whereas this time, there is no pain, just a CONSTANT urge to urinate. (And again--that feeling is centralized in my urethra, not my bladder.) I've never had just this one major symptom.

I don't know what I should do next, aside from of course following up with my primary care doctor. Would being switched to a different antibiotic be effective, or should I get a referral to see a urologist? I don't understand where this came from--it literally came out of nowhere though. I'm getting really frustrated because I have to wear the heavy bladder control pads when I'm out in public and/or at work and I can't make it to the bathroom. If anyone has ANY thoughts/advice/ideas/etc...I would REALLY be eternally grateful!

Blessings and good health,

Laura.