Dumb question about UTI

[alicecrail]

I suspect i have got a UTI and i am unable to get to the doctors til next week. Can i get rid of it by just drinking lots more water, or do i need antiBs?

Thanks

[alicecrail]

bump

[PrefetParfait]

You don't need ABs. I rarely bother.
Lots of water will flush it out.

But you need to be aware that if left untreated and it progresses you WILL need ABs or you risk kidney infection/damage.

[ManicMother7777]

I feel for you, it's miserable.

The over the counter remedies eg Cymalon are good, I think you can get them in supermarkets, but a chemist will have basic Potassium Citrate which is only a couple of quid or less.

[alicecrail]

Oh, thank you, i had no idea you could buy stuff over the counter. I think i will head to boots tomorrow and keep drinking lots of water in the meantime, but if still suffering go to dr's next week. Thanks again

[lou031205]

It's best to make an appointment. You can always cancel it if you don't need it. Lots of fluids will help flush it out. Go to the toilet regularly also, so that the bacteria doesn't get so much chance to multiply.

[alicecrail]

It seems i can't stop going to the loo

[emma1977]

Why can't you get to doctors until next week?

Walk in centre or out of hours GP would be able to see you sooner. Some GPs do extended surgeries (early mornings, late evenings).

[alicecrail]

Its a combination of not being able to get an appointment and having my car going into the garage which is making this week impossible. I don't like to use up their emergency appointments. I will go to boots on the way back from dropping my car off and see what they have got. The pharmascist there is quite helpful.

[emma1977]

Blimey, I wish all my patients were as thoughtful about using emergency appointments!

Maybe you could have a telephone consultation with a GP or practice nurse? We often don't dip urine for obvious UTI anyway and just give a 3 day course of antibiotics up front.

[alicecrail]

I didn't know that, will try phoning if boots can't help. Thanks

[KnitterInTheNW]

Apparently cranberry juice is supposed to help. Does anyone know anything about that?

[paisleyleaf]

A girl I work with swears by bicarbonate of soda mixed in water and taken every hour.
(she says it's the same as what you buy over the counter for cystitis etc)
Might be worth looking it up

[alicecrail]

Bet it tastes foul! Same with the cranberry. It is supposed to stop you getting uti but also tastes crap. You can buy cranberry pills though which apparently have the same effect.

Will look them both up though

[oneopinionatedmother]

if you are pg or post-birth it is very important to see a doc/mw anyway.

if it is jsut smelly wee: drink water

if you have a temp & pains -see doc for anti bs straight away.

[alicecrail]

Thanks all. I drank about 4pints of water yesterday evening and was weeing all night and feel alot better this morning, hopefully it is cleared, but will drink lots for next few days to make sure