Excruciating pain with Cystitis

[WestYorkshireGirl]

I normally get Cystitis about once p/yr- normally not too badly. Once before I had it so bad I could not leave the bathroom for hours and was writhing on the floor in agony. Dr prescribed antibiotics and all was fine.
Started with the same today about midday - constant abdominal pain (worse when sitting) and excruciating pain when starting to urinate, during and stronger at the end. Trouble is I am on holiday in rural France. Went to a pharmacy who gave me Uromil which from googling when I got home seems to be a herbal remedy. Have done the usual of drinking cranberry juice and water and hot water bottle. Managed to find a French Dr which was an experience as he spoke no English so had to rely on my DH translating as best he could. After an hour of going thru my gynaecological history he concluded it should have had it all investigated before and that we should go 40kms to the nearest big town to the urology clinic or wait till I get home (Sun eve). He gave me a prescription for extra strength paracetamol to get from the chemist which opens at 9am tomorrow. I tried paracetamol and codeine earlier and they made no difference. No antibiotics were offered or discussed . I am really worried that the herbal things will be hopeless and there is no way I can do anything to enjoy the rest of my holiday (car journeys are tricky and loos rare around here).
Anyone had a similar severe case of cystitis/infection that cleared on it's own or with natural remedies? I just don't want to trek all the way to this clinic to be told they won't do anything either... Don't know what to do ....

[Magicalmrmistofeles]

Sorry you've got this on holiday. If it's that bad I would go to the clinic - you need antibiotics.

[maggiso]

I would go to the clinic, if you can bear the journey.

[JulyKit]

You poor, poor thing.

Give that herbal thing a try. And drink as much water as you can. Avoid anything sugary.

I am so sorry for you.

[MadMum2015]

It's worth a Google to see if the ingredients on the herbal thing match with what's in Potters Antitis. If so they are worth a try as Potters has saved me in the absence of antibiotics previously

[shattered77]

This was always me. You need the antibiotics, and when you get home get a script and keep a box with you at all times. I know this doesn't help now.

A few times I've drank litres and litres of water per hour and it has cleared up on its own. Just sat on loo all night. I really feel for you. I've had it in foreign countries, but have always been given the abs. Hope it passes, you poor thing.

[ThePhoenixRising]

Ask the doctor for monuril. It is an excellent one dose antibiotic and will clear it up in no time.

Pharmacists will occasionally give out abs otc if you beg and look desperate, but the Dr should be willing to give you that one.

(You can't get it in the UK).

[shattered77]

Are you ok?

[maggiso]

Once in France our GP faxed through a(repeat) prescription to the local pharmacist to make up privately for our son as I had somehow packed an empty box of an essential medication. I don't know if anything similar could be done if you often need medication for a bad attack. I hope you are feeling better.

[WestYorkshireGirl]

Thank you all for your replies- nothing like this has happened before on holiday. I saw the owner of the gite this morning for advice about the clinic as the website seemed to suggest it was private, but she said we could go there. The Dr I saw last night had telephoned them so they were expecting me. Good job I went as bloods revealed kidney infection . Had ultrasound as well and an IV thing. We ended up paying €350 for everything inc the antibiotics, two types of pain relief and something else if it upsets my stomach. Rules seem to have changed about EHIC now and we have to claim some but not all the costs back in France within the area that we received treatment and as we leave on Sat we have the prospect of losing another day sorting this out trow. We have £150 excess on travel insurance so won't get much back if we leave it till we get home. Dr said to rest (not very compatible with a 4YO and getting luggage home) and also no alcohol so I am doubly gutted about that!
Thanks again for all your advice - will make an appt with my usual GP when I get back to talk about preventative measures for the future.

[ThePhoenixRising]

So glad you got seen and treated - looks like the doctor was absolutely right to send you to the clinic. A nuisance for the admin etc you now have to deal with. EHIC reimburses you what you would have paid if you were on the French health system - you should get back about 70%. Your travel insurance would cover the rest but I guess with the excess it won't be much. Still if it had got worse and you hadn't been able to travel home the 150 excess would have been a drop in the ocean compared to several nights in hospital, so definitely worth having.

[shattered77]

What a nightmare. I hope you're feeling better now. You won't forget that in a hurry! Take care.