Kidney Infection

[Jargo]

Normally hate posts where people ask for medical advice but sort of don't want to waste a GP appointment. I have a kidney infection. I've had four days of IV antibiotics (two types) and I am taking two lots of tablets. I was starting to feel better Friday and yesterday (was discharged on Friday). I feel absolutely awful again this afternoon. Back to being shivery, vomiting and absolutely pouring with sweat. The kidney pain has gone and it no longer burns when I pee.

Any ideas, or suggestions? I am trying to drink a rehydration sachet thing and have taken paracetamol but wondering if I am still like this in the morning if it would warrant asking the GP for some further advice.

You need to get some medical advice tonight. If you are pouring with sweat, its not a good thing. Can you tell what your heart rate is when you are sitting still, also how many breaths are you taking a minute?

Call 111 and talk them through. It sounds like the infection is taking hold again and so you might need a different type of antibiotic. Please dont leave it.

Thank you for the reply. It is hot where I am which is why I am not too sure about going back to the hospital. 111 is a good shout - I'll give them a ring.

My heart rate is 82 and my breathing is 16 so these have both massively improved and I no longer look ill. Last blood test was yesterday afternoon and it no longer had infection markers in it (I am not sure what that means exactly but they explained it meant I was getting better)

Completely agree with SeatoSki that you need to speak to someone tonight. Maybe ring the ward you were discharged from? Don’t wait and mess around with a kidney infection anyway. Maybe the abx aren’t right or the dose is wrong. It could an easy fix but I wouldn’t risk waiting until the morning.

Thinking of you. I had a kidney infection 20 years ago and I still remember the pain as the worst ever. Giving birth to twins without pain relief was a breeze in comparison. You are absolutely not making a fuss. Hope you feel better soon.

I was going to suggest downing a big glass of water with a level teasp of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in it but you sound a bit beyond that.

I hope you get help soon

Thank you, I spoke to 111 and they said to either go to the hospital or wait for 6-8 hours for a call back from a GP. I'm going to go back to the hospital as they have all the history and notes etc.

Thanks for the help!

And yes, the pain was unreal. I thought something had ruptured inside of me last Monday!

I'm sympathising with you too. I had kidney infection - passed out being sick from the pain outside a and e.

Thanks! Just waiting in A and E now - it's super, super busy.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've been readmitted and have had loads more medicine including some magic stuff that made me feel like I was flying (and then crashing!).

So glad. Hope you are feeling properly better soon

Oh phew! I’m so glad you were seen quickly and I hope you get better soon.

Did they send your urine to the lab to be cultured so they could determine the most appropriate antibiotic.
Do you have a condition which makes kidney infections more likely?

Hi Tonp - yes they sent that away last week and then added in the extra antibiotic when they got the results.

And yes, to question two as well, but I have only just been told about that.

Glad you’re being seen, my DS had one at age 3 and he was so poorly. Horrible things.

How are you now OP?

Thanks for asking, I am still not feeling well at all. Last night they scanned my appendix and I don't have appendicitis which is good. My bloods have improved again, but there's sediment in my pee (no idea what that means). The doctors for the last couple of days haven't been any good at explaining anything apart from that I look very poorly.

I am trying to remind myself that they are very busy but I am starting to get a bit scared that there's something more than just a kidney infection, particularly as it started 10 days ago.

Oh no Jargo I’m so sorry to hear that. Can you ask to speak to the registrar? I think I’d want to speak to someone experienced and find out what they think is going on and what their plan for you is. I know it’s busy but sometimes you need to be a polite but squeaky wheel.

Didn’t mean that to sound bossy. I know how hard it is to advocate for yourself, particularly when you feel so dreadful.

That didn't come across as bossy at all @Gunpowder. I think I am going to do that.

I had an ice lolly this morning which was really lovely, and I've been allowed to have a blanket as well so I think that I must be getting better.

One of the things that they've told me is it's linked to a neurological condition and that my kidney isn't emptying - I really hope it is something they can fix because I don't want to go through this again.

I’m glad you got to have an ice lolly! It’s always so hot and horrible in hospital, even if it is the best and safest place to be. All the small things are very important.

If you are feeling up to it I’d make a list of your questions so you can quiz the registrar or renal team when they come round. I hope you get some answers and they can fix it soon as well, it sounds horrid for you.

OP you poor. I spent 10 days in hospital with a kidney infection. In the 90s. You will get better, it will just take a while. 💐

The ice lolly was AMAZING! Not going to lie, it may have even topped the fact that the hospital I am in has NHS Wifi which is keeping me saneish.

I've been sleeping on and off this afternoon.

They have said that they will speak to me tomorrow but I am having an MRI scan as well tomorrow.

One of the antibiotics (Genatmicin I think it is called) is making me feel proper neurologically dodgy so I am hoping they can stop that soon.

Thanks everyone for checking in on me, really sorry to hear many of you have been through this before. It is really vile.

Wow sorry to hear that your so poorly I was admitted about 2 year ago with a kidney abscess after going to a&e 4 times in one week and being sent away with it’s just a kidney infection they scared me silly with underlying reasons for it even testing me for hiv the reason I’m telling you this is because they also said that my kidney wasn’t emptying properly and some over stuff but after 2 weeks in patient Iv antibiotics and 1 week outpatient Ivs it turned out it was just a kidney infection that had got out of hand and 2 years on I’ve had no reoccurrence all though I have been told any sign of utis to go straight to gp as I have some scaring but fingers Crossed nothing yet. Hope u have the same outcome

I hope the MRI scan is ok today and that you get a chance to ask questions. Good luck Jargo.