UTI's and womens' health..? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

BlueBongo · 10-14-2004, 03:41 AM

I am sort of decidedly against Urgent Care (Patient First) after my first two trips. The first trip the doctor said I have some sort of viral infection but couldn't tell me what after taking blood and urine samples. This past Saturday I left work with major chest pain and went to Urgent Care again... they gave me a GI cocktail and then sent me to the ER because they said they couldn't really help me at all. So I get to the ER and they get my right in... I'm there for about 4 hours doing tests (catscan, urine, blood.. and lots of intravascular pain medication, not completely bad).... so the end result is that I have a urinary tract infection that I've had for a while and didn't realize and second that I stress out too much. SO... the core of my concern is that I have been having the symptoms, not that I know what they are, of a UTI for months... and I do mean, for many months.. and I did not realize it. Do you think I should be worried that it might affect my kidneys?

I have a doctors appt tomorrow morning and am hoping to get a more complete answer. They gave me about 5 days worth of meds @ the ER that I am not sure if they are helping. I still feel pretty heavy in my abdomen and am still feeling a slight flank pain after walking for a while. Both yesterday and this morning I woke up feeling more "heavy" in the area of my abdomen that usual and a bit more pain on my left side specifically in my lower abs. I suppose I am just overly concerned but I am wondering if it's possible that my kidneys are already "infected".

I was just curious to see if anyone else has gone through this and if so what tpyes of advice you could offer as well?

If nothing else I have learned how valuable my health is and usually at the first signs of something wrong I try to see someone. I try not to be a freak about going to the doctor every week... but I try to keep on top of things as I am way to young to die. So again, any advice would be greatly welcomed?

Kitenn Kaboodle · 10-14-2004, 07:38 AM

It surprises me that you had a UTI for a few months and never realized it. For me the pain is unbearable and I have to use a heating pad. There is a chance of kidney damage as with all bladder/uterine infections, but chances are it is likely just the infection has spread. I'm surprised they haven't given you a good 10 day dose of an antibiotic to get rid of it, it usually does the trick.

I can tell you some things that will help you through it. Avoid Tylenol and Ibuprophen cause they can irritate it more, as can caffiene, sugar in fact any carbonated soda. Cranberry Juice is your friend, drink tons of it.

I know for the people that have had kidney problems they usually have a sharp ache on thier back just below thier rib cage. However you don't seem to have that, but I am no doctor. Just make sure you tell them everything you can remember, keep a notepad and jot things down as they occur.

I don't know if this helps at all.

Kit

maleficent · 10-14-2004, 07:41 AM

Most commercial cranberry juice has a ton of sugar in it... The stuff from the health food store or natural store is much better and less sweet -- or just pop the pill -- which I'm told is just as effective... Plust lots of water.

flamingpeach · 10-14-2004, 08:45 AM

I've had a UTI that spread to my kidneys. This post is going to be to much information, so i apologize now.

I was in college and I didnt' have the time to go to the doctor - I use to get a UTI a month, and had taken care of them myself all of the other times. Cranberry capsules and tons of water. Anyhow, this time, it was severe, i guess and my home remedies didn't work out. Everytime I urinated I peed out something that was the consistency of snot. Full of blood, and more painful then any UTI i've ever had in my life. Not to mention extreme back pain and a fever. I ended up fainting in the hall at school and some one brought me to the ER.

A UTI spread to the kidney's is terrible...and you should be able to know if it is there by the back ache. From your post it doesn't sound that way to me, but it could be different for everybody. Keep on top of those doctors and get yourself better!

BlueBongo · 10-14-2004, 01:53 PM

I actually have been having "flank" pain since at least March.... so that I suppose is why I'm concerned. But I'll have the doc check into tomorrow. Just can't be too careful I guess.

Thanks for the input

KinkyKiwi · 10-18-2004, 03:23 PM

try the *concentrate stuff* at the health food store..its BITTER..but you can add like honey..or sugar to taste...brrr...UTIs hurt sooo much...i always get them when it gets cold. weird.

10-14-2004, 07:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Most commercial cranberry juice has a ton of sugar in it... The stuff from the health food store or natural store is much better and less sweet -- or just pop the pill -- which I'm told is just as effective... Plust lots of water. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

10-14-2004, 08:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
flamingpeach hip mama Location: redmond, washington	I've had a UTI that spread to my kidneys. This post is going to be to much information, so i apologize now. I was in college and I didnt' have the time to go to the doctor - I use to get a UTI a month, and had taken care of them myself all of the other times. Cranberry capsules and tons of water. Anyhow, this time, it was severe, i guess and my home remedies didn't work out. Everytime I urinated I peed out something that was the consistency of snot. Full of blood, and more painful then any UTI i've ever had in my life. Not to mention extreme back pain and a fever. I ended up fainting in the hall at school and some one brought me to the ER. A UTI spread to the kidney's is terrible...and you should be able to know if it is there by the back ache. From your post it doesn't sound that way to me, but it could be different for everybody. Keep on top of those doctors and get yourself better! __________________ I've eaten my veggies all my life so bring it on, I am educated and strong for the revolution.

10-18-2004, 03:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
KinkyKiwi "Without the fuzz" Location: ..too close for comfort..	try the concentrate stuff at the health food store..its BITTER..but you can add like honey..or sugar to taste...brrr...UTIs hurt sooo much...i always get them when it gets cold. weird. __________________ Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps. Play with each other. Play with yourselves. Just don't play with the squirrels, they bite.

10-14-2004, 07:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kitenn Kaboodle Upright	It surprises me that you had a UTI for a few months and never realized it. For me the pain is unbearable and I have to use a heating pad. There is a chance of kidney damage as with all bladder/uterine infections, but chances are it is likely just the infection has spread. I'm surprised they haven't given you a good 10 day dose of an antibiotic to get rid of it, it usually does the trick. I can tell you some things that will help you through it. Avoid Tylenol and Ibuprophen cause they can irritate it more, as can caffiene, sugar in fact any carbonated soda. Cranberry Juice is your friend, drink tons of it. I know for the people that have had kidney problems they usually have a sharp ache on thier back just below thier rib cage. However you don't seem to have that, but I am no doctor. Just make sure you tell them everything you can remember, keep a notepad and jot things down as they occur. I don't know if this helps at all. Kit