Cystitis

[WigWamBam]

I started taking the over-the-counter sachets yesterday morning and it seemed a bit better, but today it's really bad again.

I'm drinking loads of water and have cranberry juice (although the best I could find was only about 30% cranberries). What else can I do? If it isn't any better tomorrow then I'll try and get an appointment to see the GP, but does anyone have any ideas to ease that sitting-on-razorblades feeling?

[Elibean]

((WWB)) horrid, horrid thing, cystitis. Had it loads as a teenager.

Only thing I can think of is bicarb dissolved in water, to be drunk - but thats much the same as the sachets, I think? If not, give it a go - one or two teaspoonfuls in a small half glass of water. Do'nt overdo it, frequency-wise, changes the alkalinity of the blood and can give you palpitations - every few hours is enough.

Also, keep your lower back and feet really warm - dont' let them get cold. And if you are stinging on the outside, a warm bicarb solution to rinse/wash with/sit in might help.

Hope you feel better very soon, and if you don't, or get chills/backache, do go to GP stat!

[DumbledoresGirl]

So sorry you have this WWB. I am the Queen of cystitis - I used to get it loads before it was discovered what was wrong with me (nothing for you to worry about though!)

My best advice is drink, drink and drink. keep drinking until you feel like you are drowning. Water or clear fluids, but IMO water is best. You need to do this to keep flushing the germs out so they can't get a hold further up your urinary tract.

When I had it, my day consisted of sitting on the toilet with a jug of water beside me, drinking from it continuously and weeing continuously. If you do that, after about 30 mins, the pain becomes less.

The other thing is, could you get an emergency doctor out to you even though it is Sunday? If it were me, I would do this, but then I have part of one kidney missing now so it is a slightly more serious condition for me to have.

[WigWamBam]

Thanks Elibean. I have some bicarb in the cupboard, will try that later (I'll bet it tastes gorgeous )

I'm really uncomfortable so bicarb in the bath might be a good idea too - even ages after I've peed, I still feel as if I'm sitting on razor blades.

I hadn't thought about keeping my back and feet warm but I guess it makes sense - kidney infections and all that.

Thank you

[DumbledoresGirl]

Oh other thoughts that have come to me:

Keep taking the sachets even if they did not get rid of the cystitis as they are better than nothing.

And if weeing is really unbearable, you can of course take a pain killer or, lie in a hot bath and wee into the bath water. Sounds a bit gross, but once you have done it once, you will overcome your disgust as it does take the pain away a lot.

[WigWamBam]

GD - sounds grim. Am drinking for England at the mo, I'm about ready to float off! I thought about the emergency doctors but five hours sitting at the local hospital doesn't appeal somehow. If it gets any worse then I will, but otherwise I'll try and see my own GP tomorrow.

[DumbledoresGirl]

Don't let it get worse please! A kidney infection is a whole different ball game to cystitis!

Big hugs to you. I wish I could help out. But then, cystitis puts the fear of God in me (I ended up bleeding internally and close to dying) so perhaps you needn't worry as much as I would!

[WigWamBam]

I'm suspecting it's more an infection than cystitis, tbh - just went to the loo and my pee is very cloudy and seems to have bits in it.

Your condition sounds dreadful, DG.

[Elibean]

Bicarb tastes revolting
But it does help. Do take it in small doses though, better to take too little then take some more than too much and get palpitations!
I used to crouch by radiator in middle of the night, moaning - and sipping bicarb - till it passed. Heat really can ease the tension which makes it all worse, not to mention just making you feel a bit nurtured, which can't hurt.
I have got to the point of making myself feel ill from overdoing the water drinking - DDG is right, water is really important, but if you start to feel weird, dizzy, or shaky, hold back a bit on that.

[Elibean]

X post - WWB, hate to say this, but you might have to make a thermos of bicarb, grab a hottie, and head off to the hospital with a good book: infections are nasty.

[WigWamBam]

I know they are.

Was really hoping to avoid the emergency clinic - don't think I'll be able to.

I don't want to go making a fuss over nothing though, if it's just cystitis rather than an infection.

[WigWamBam]

TMI, DG ...

[Elibean]

What is it with us women not wanting to make fusses over nothing, eh

[DumbledoresGirl]

But it made you !

WWB, tbh, I am not sure what the difference is between cystitis and an infection. Cystitis is inflamation of the bladder caused by an infection isn't it?

Only you know how bad it is, but I would say, judging by the pain you have described, if you can't lessen your symptoms after a couple of hours of trying, I would go to the hospital. It can't be so busy on a Sunday afternoon can it?

[DumbledoresGirl]

And the relief you get when the ABs start working is an ecstacy dh could never achieve!

[WigWamBam]

Last time I took dd on a Sunday we got there for 10am when it opened, and it was heaving - took about 4 hours to be seen, and that was with prioritising children!

I'm going to have to go though, I think ...

[DumbledoresGirl]

An A&E that opens at 10 am??!! So no-one accidnets before that? Oh or are you talking an emergency surgery?

Anyway, best of luck WigWamBam. You won't regret getting the ABs if you can!

[Avalon]

Drink some lemon barley water, if you have it.
I've always found it helps.

[WigWamBam]

DG, it's the out-of-hours GP service - it's 6pm to 8am every day except Sunday when it's 10am - 2pm - it just happens to be at the hospital.

I rang them and explained, and they said they thought I'd be better off going to the NHS walk-in centre ... "That's just nurses, isn't it?" said I. "It will be fine for what you need," said he. Got there and she said that it's probably an infection, and I probably need antibiotics ... and as nurses can't prescribe, I would need to see a GP.





Thanks for all your suggestions - it's feeling a little bit better now but still not right so guess where I'm going tomorrow!

[DumbledoresGirl]

God isn't that the NHS all over? (sorry to all NHS fans).

Keep up the drinking WWB. You have to expect it to be worse again tomorrow because you will have had the whole night when you drank nothing/little. Hopefully tomorrow will see you sorted.

[WigWamBam]

Touch wood, DG ... says she furiously tapping her own head ...

I could quite cheerfully have slapped someone, I don't mind admitting. The nurse was lovely, and really apologetic, but someone needed a good smack!

[Elibean]

honestly. Idiot man saying that would be fine for what you need.

Save your smacks for him, WWB, and leave your head alone before you start hurting at both ends! Hope the night is not too bad, and GP available tout de suite tomorrow.

[WigWamBam]

Have calmed down now and don't feel quite so much like smacking the man! I have made a complaint about it via my GP's practice manager though.

Got some antibiotics this morning ... flipping horse pills, they're huge! Hopefully they will do the trick. The doctor I saw was really good and recommended some high-strength cranberry tablets as well.

Thank you for your help yesterday and your kind words!

[DumbledoresGirl]

Glad you have the pills now WWB. Yes I remember they can be big but that always comforts me - I like to think I am getting some wacking great dose of something! No tiny pills for me thank you!

Anyway, hope you feel better soon