Kidney infection - Trimethoprim 200mg?

[CodeComplete]

I went to the doctors this morning after suffering with cystitis for a couple of weeks (thinking it would go away by itself) but yesterday started to get pain in my lower back on the right hand side. I didn't actually see a doctor just receptionist who took my urine sample and called me back with a prescription for a 3 day course of trimethoprim 200mg. I'm hoping they didn't just hear "cystitis" and treat me for that and ignore the kidney pain symptoms. Has anyone had luck with trimethoprim for kidney infections or is it just for UTIs?

[PollyPerky]

Sorry you are unwell.

A couple of things- if you have a kidney infection you would usually feel rough and have a fever. Is that how it feels?

If so you ought to go back to the drs but meanwhile why not phone the pharmacy where you go the prescription and ask the friendly pharmacist- they are as good as drs for lots of things.

[CodeComplete]

Thanks for replying Polly. I don't feel rough or have a fever but I do have pain in both sides (at the back above my hips) so hopefully if it is a kidney infection it might be a mild one? The receptionist did say to come back if it's not cleared after the 3 day course so I guess I'll see how it goes. Good idea about speaking to the pharmacist though I'll bear that in mind.

[Mouseinahole]

My dh was prescribed Trimethoprim when he developed a very severe urine infection in hospital after hip surgery. He was hallucinating and in pain. It turned out to be the wrong antibiotic for him and the GP prescribed something different but she did tell us that Trimethoprim is the 'go to' antibiotic for severe UTIs. I hope you feel better soon.

[User543212345]

Trimethoprim is the first one they used to give me when I suffered with cystitis a lot and it didn't work for me. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the drug they gave me instead - I think it starts with an M. You'll know fairly soon though whether it's working as symptoms calm down really quickly when you treat cystitis with antibiotics.

I hope you feel better soon. Please don't leave it a few weeks again though, kidney infections are truly horrendous. I thought my cystitis would clear up by itself once and ended up spending 3 nights in hospital.

[AssembleTheMinions]

I had a UTI and was prescribed Trimethoprim (I have kidney disease as well) Unfortunatly I reacted very badly to it and ended up in hospital for a few days. I have heard of quite a few people having reactions to it. Mine was so spectacular that the hospital photographer took photos for a medical journal.

[trickyex]

I have had it for both bad cystitis and also a mild kidney infection (a weeks course both times). It did work well for me but made me very miserable both times. But three days course ought to be ok.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Kidney pain is not generally your lower back. And a kidney infection would tend to make you very ill.

[CodeComplete]

Thanks for the replies. I'm feeling a little better today, cystitis symptoms definitely disappearing. Fanjo where would I expect to feel kidney pain? I'm quite short so theres not much space between the bottom of my ribs and my hips, and it's sort of the area just below/behind my ribs that hurts. I'd describe it as my lower back but maybe on someone taller it would be mid-back. Both sides hurt now not just the right side, but it's not excruciating just a deep constant ache so maybe not a kidney infection after all. Just hope it disappears with the cystitis whatever it is.

[CodeComplete]

Minions sorry to hear you had a bad reaction, hope all is well now. The trimethoprim doesn't seem to be disagreeing with me so far, half way through the tablets now so fingers crossed I'm not one of the unlucky ones.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

yes it would be just behind your lower ribs.

Sorry my reply was abrupt...am at work :) glad you feel a bit better

[Ellieboolou27]

My daughter is on a low dose of this for pelvic renal dilation (enlarged tubes from the kidney) , she is only six months and we have an appointment with GOSH in May, docs have advised her to take a very low constant dose until the appointment to prevent any kind of kidney infection, so I would assume it would clear any potential infection you may have, worth booking an actual appointment with the doc to follow up though

[CodeComplete]

Thanks Fanjo (nice name btw!) Don't worry I didn't take offence just glad to have some replies as I never usually get ill with this sort of stuff and Dr Google can be scary

[Woodenmouse]

My son has bad kidneys and is at risk from kidney infections so he is on preventative trimethoprim so yes it can be used for kidney infections. Hope you feel better soon

[CodeComplete]

Ellie hope everything goes OK for your dd

If I'm not better by the weekend I'll ask to see an actual doctor.