Bloody, bollocking hell, I'm in so much pain.

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

Of course, of-fucking-course, having spent months at home I would get ill the moment the kids and I (am mature student) have to go back to school.

Came down with a UTI a few days ok, which was bad enough (feels like I'm peeing razor blades ), but I think it's spread to my kidneys as I'm now having terrible abdominal and back pain.

My doctor's prescribed antibiotics, but oooooh, the pain!! till they kick in.

Oh I’m so sorry OP! I had a bad kidney infection once and the pain is awful. Can you soak in a hot bath? Are you allowed to take ibuprofen or paracetamol?

Thank you, I am just looking for sympathy really! And yes, I've been taking paracetamol but can't take any more till about 5pm.

I had this a few weeks ago.

Total sympathy. It's horrid.

I went from peeing pain and discomfort and taking cystitis sachets to high temp, feeling sick, back ache in 2 days.

And there's nothing you can do except drink loads and take the antibiotics.

Good news is though as quick as I went down I felt a lot better 36-48 hours after starting antibiotics.

You have my sympathies.
What time did you take your first dose of antibiotics?
A bath is a good idea if you feel well enough or have someone to keep an eye on you.

They have to be taken with food so I can't take the first dose till dinner.

Why not eat earlier, instead of waiting till dinner?
Take the antibiotic, sooner the better.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

They have to be taken with food so I can't take the first dose till dinner.

I don't want to sound unsympathetic - it sounds very painful, but you could just have something to eat now and take the antibiotic.

I could, of course. But I'm making dinner now anyway.

Alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol every couple of hours. My GP suggested that when my DD has a kidney infection and it really helped keep the pain under control. She also suggested letting my DD pee while she was in the bath - the warmth of the water helps with the pain.

Send someone out to buy you a carton of cranberry juice.

Oh god don’t drink cranberry juice. It makes your wee acidic and hurts more. It should only be preventative never taken if you have a UTI plus most of the stuff in shops is ‘cranberry juice drink’ not real cranberry juice and filled with sugar and sweetener again not good for a UTI. Once you have the 1st 2 antibiotics you will feel relief.

Well, I've eaten (have no appetite so had to force it down) and taken the first antibiotic.

If you can stomach it, have a teaspoon of Bicarb in a glass of very dilute juice. It reduces the acidity of your urine and helps it sting less. If you can't pee in the bath, try a jug of warm water puree over you as you go. Feel better soon

Cranberry juice is a myth, but the extra hydration isn't going to hurt. You can also buy over-the-counter urinary alkaliniser sachets at the chemist, ie Cystopurin - there are lots of different brands. They make the bladder an environment that is unpleasant for the bacteria that causes the infection. Meanwhile, don't use it and bicarb at the same time as they will counteract each other. If you use bicarb, it will simply make peeing slightly less painful, but can mask symptoms, allowing for the bacteria to build up. It's also really bad for your kidneys if you have too much. Obviously lots and lots of water is recommended. It will flush the wee buggies out (pun intended). Don't put off peeing as that concentrates the urine and makes it worse. (Sorry, I know it feels like you're producing razorblades).

*Actually pouring a jugful of warm water with dissolved bicarb over the area while you're peeing is another way of minimising pain, btw. Also helps clean the area so you don't have to wipe and reintroduce more germs. (Nursing skills.)

Drink bicarb and water - it works (dash of squash if needed). I discovered it after a Google when I was struck by horrendous UTI pain one Sunday evening (typical)

AZO helps to relieve symptoms.

This is really weird but when I have a UTI and it hurts my lady bits, I put a hot as I can stand shower on it and it kinda numbs the pain in like 2 minutes - don't think it helps for kidneys though - sending hugs

How are you today ?

Thank you all for the advice and sympathy. I don't often get ill but do feel very sorry for myself when I do!

I'm feeling a bit better today - certainly better than last night.