Cystitis?

[yo-ghurt.livejournal.com]

I think I may have a UTI. I haven't been able to sleep at all tonight (it's about 6.30am now), and then about an hour ago all of a sudden my bladder is throbbing. I've been sat on the loo trying to force myself to pee but I can just about manage a trickle. No pain on passing urine though, just the constant pressure. I've had cystitis before, years ago, but I don't remember it being as nagging as this (as in, stopping me from sleeping). I haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary, other than drinking a lot of pineapple juice, but I guess these things often just happen.

I can try to get a uni doctor appointment in the next few days, but apart from drinking lots of water, stealing my flatmate's cranberry juice, and possibly investing in some cranberry capsules, is there anything I can do? I'm allergic to antibiotics anyway so I'm not sure if my doc will be able to help much as it is. I was meant to be going on a date with my boyfriend later tonight but right now I don't even want to leave the safety of my ensuite bedroom for my seminars.

*ETA* Just checked online and I officially can't get a doctor's appointment 'til next Tuesday. Fabulous.
Managed to get an emergency appointment at 11, just as I started to notice blood in my urine. I've been put on Trimethoprim 200mg, which doesn't have brilliant reviews, but fingers crossed.
Thanks to everyone for their kind advice x

Comments

[mijakai.livejournal.com]

If you can, try a warm bath, it won't help cure it but it will hopefully help with the pain :)

[yo-ghurt.livejournal.com]

I only have a shower :( but thanks

[ashmazing88.livejournal.com]

Sit in your shower. ;] I hate baths because the water goes cold quickly, but the water stays warm in a shower. I just turn it on and sit under it.

[onlyforever10.livejournal.com]

You really need to try and call and tell them it is an emergency. If you wait until next Tuesday, you will likely end up with a kidney infection. Especially if you are allergic to antibiotics, a kidney infection could be very dangerous.

UTIs escalate FAST. I got a TON when I first started having sex and I eventually went to a urologist. He said that cranberry is actually bad when you have an active infection because it just irritates the bladder further. The best thing is just tons of water.

They do have over the counter medicine (I know it is available at most drug stores in the US, but I'm not sure where you are from), but they are small orange pills. The brand name here is Azo. They will help with the pain, but not the infection. But at least it is something until you can get into a doctor.

I sincerely hope you feel better!

[yo-ghurt.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice, I will have to ring the clinic when they open and see if they can fit me in. I'm from the UK, I think there's a range of 48hr courses I can buy from a pharmacy if need be.

[onlyforever10.livejournal.com]

Okay, good :) I was just really worried for you if you had to wait a whole week! Those things can be excruciating!

[sand-woman.livejournal.com]

They usually keep some emergency appointments for on the day. The thing is that you need antibiotics which is not in those 48hour courses - they just mask the symptoms by providing pain relief. I am not sure how they will treat you if you are allergic to antibiotics - I know people who are intolerant of antibiotics and who just have to take them anyway at times like this. Either way I think it's safer to see a doctor on the whole - these can get pretty nasty.

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

Are you allergic to all antibiotics ever? There are many kinds, and maybe they can find something that's less alarming to your body. Additionally, sometimes the allergen is not the active ingredient, but the binder.

DO call the doc and say it's an emergency. For something like this, receptionists usually try to move things around to fit you in.

In the meantime, Azo, unsweetened cranberry juice, and lots and lots of water.

[http://users.livejournal.com/prettyhowtown_/]

You might try www.curezone.com for other home remedies in the meantime. But you definitely should see a doctor ASAP!

[angelicalangie.livejournal.com]

I am in the UK. You do not need to limit yourself down to just the Uni doctor. they should if they are smart say UTI, come in TODAY! The 48 hour courses essentially manage symptoms do not cure or do anything else. There are antibiotics that are not penicillin based (My mother lost 3 days to penicillin based, so I know the deal quite well)

If your university doctor says next Tuesday, call up NHS direct (0845 4647)they will direct you to your nearest walk in centre, A+E, out of hours doctors service or a doctor that will see you immediately.

You don't want it to go to your kidneys. For a start kidney infections are a bitch to deal with, my first and only chance with it made me puke every time I moved, and I mean every time I changed sides in bed. Not to mention it damages your kidneys. (Over time this does get repaired, but I have seen first hand what repeated damage can do and when above commenter said dangerous - they weren't kidding)

I know I have probably alarmist, but you are at the early stages of a horrid little problem that at the moment is really easily sorted out. Don't let some asinine receptionist downplay it 'til Tuesday.