I have a UTI?

I’m confused about what is going on with me right now. I’m 34F and have gotten UTIs pretty regularly since becoming sexually active (early 20s). Despite ALWAYs urinating after sex and practicing all the preventative UTI hygiene I manage to get one 1-2 times a year (seems to happen when I’m stressed or travelling). I always know when one is coming on and get antibiotics (Cephalexin) immediately. I usually take Ural (Australian alkalising drink) with the antibiotics and feel better within 1-2 days. I ALWAYS finish my round of antibiotics.

But this time something is different. A few weeks ago I felt one coming on (the cramping in my bladder as I was weeing). Immediately I arranged to see a GP and got Cephalexin, later that day I had the symptoms of a full-blown UTI (pain, urge to wee all the time, intense bladder cramps). I got some relief for sure from the meds, but last day of my antibiotics came around and I still had some discomfort. It feels the same as a UTI coming on. I saw an online GP who prescribed a different antibiotic (no penicillin as I had at rash at 18 months old and always say I’m allergic even though I’m not sure; I will get this tested soon btw). I didn’t have a urine test as so was travelling the next day and needed something ASAP. Another week goes by, same thing, no change. This time I have a urine culture done while on holiday and it’s completely normal. 😭 I was told to just wait as it could be irritation from the UTI as it’s still healing and it will go away. It’s been another 1.5 weeks (25 days since the 1st symptoms) and I’m still having discomfort. As you can imagine, I’m pretty miserable. And worried. It hasn’t gotten “worse”, I can go about my day, but I almost always notice something feels off when I urinate, often a throbbing feeling. It’s the same feeling that normally triggers “uh oh, I have a UTI”.

What could be going on? I’ve never had this happen before … Thanks in advance!