UTI advice please, do I need antibiotics or 111

[samuelabelly]

Okay so I managed to get a phone call with the GP this morning

I've had stinging when I wee for a few days. He said it's probably cystitis and it clears up on its own. NHS website also says to take a wait and see approach when it's cystitis

I just went to the loo again and my urine is the colour of red wine. I was shocked and thought I must be mistaken, maybe I'm on? Remembered I was on 2 weeks ago and I'm very regular. Checked 'down there' and it's all clear. Did another dribble of wee and it's again very red

I called GP surgery and the receptionist was so lovely, she left a message for the doctor. She called me back just now to say it would be because I'm on my period?

I said I'm definitely not on my period. She said that's what he's told to advise you...

AIBU to call 111? Feel like it's for more urgent matters

I'm otherwise fit and well! No other serious symptoms, it just stings a bit

Blood in urine requires prompt attention. Dial 111.

I would phone your doctor back… 111 will just tell you to phone your doctor or go to A&E.

@Equalbutdifferent thank you, I'm going to call

I did the 111 online assesment and it just said 'Contact your GP today'

Go to pharmacy, they can test your urine and give you correct antibiotics.

my UTI’s we’re always bright red, very bloody urine- standard question was if I was on period before given antibiotics. If this happens regularly in future, your Dr may prescribe you extra antibiotics so you have them to hand, as it’s an uncomfortable wait for a pharmacy or dr if it happens at night/weekend/holiday etc

You need antibiotics today, I followed the nhs advice that is can clear on its own and ended up with an embedded infection.

Ring the GP again and send another message. Tell them it’s not your period, you have blood in your urine. You need antibiotics and 111 won’t be quicker than the GP.

@samuelabelly you can use the Boots Online Doctor service to get an sameday prescription for UTI antibiotics. I had some Trimethoprim a few months ago...cost around £20 but worth it for the service.
You answer some questions and they send your prescription through to your local Boots. Mine was ready in around 3 hours.

You need antibiotics. Of course, 111 assessment says that you need to contact GP because it’s a normal day and GP is open. Call them again and say that of course you are sure it’s not periods and you don’t want end up in A&E over weekend. You appreciate that he doesn’t want to prescribe antibiotics over the phone so you can come in 20 minutes (or whatever the length) for f2f appointment.

Thanks all

Called surgery again and they said there's no call back available and I can leave a message, but might not get back to me today

Can't use Boots online service nearest Boots is a good 45 min drive

Just on phone to 111 now

I bet a female GP wouldn't just tell you to wait and see!
I would want ABs

Have you a local walk in centre? I went in once (I suffer from UTI's dreadfully) and they gave me antibiotics after testing my urine. They can get serious if not treated so completely reasonable to use the WIC if you have access to one.

You’ll have to go to A&E if you can’t see your GP.

111 will just tell you to see your GP or go to A&E. They don’t provide any healthcare, they just direct you to the right place. So I think you’re wasting your time unfortunately.

Sorry my post should say A&E or Walk in Centre

45 min drive to Boots will be better than an A&E wait. I’d ring them and talk to the pharmacist there first though. It may be that with blood in the sample they would send you to A&E/the GP anyway.

You definitely need antibiotics today.

I remember sitting in my GP waiting room until closing time because they were dragging their feet writing me a prescription for a UTI. But I was in far too much pain to wait until the following day.

You can get ABs for cystitis through Superdrug's online doctor if that's any closer op

What a useless GP. My husband went with the same problem and has been seen straightaway as they were concerned it's kidney infection. Ring 111.

As a veteran of many a uti/kidney infection etc, id say you need antibiotics because it actually takes white a bit of blood to make urine in the bowl look like red wine.

Ridiculous dr, id be complaining about that too (I'm married to a GP!!).

If the GP is doing nothing I'd go to walk in or phone 111 after 6. If you have a small jar, get a sample. Pharmacists can sell antibiotics but with that much blood, they might want a longer course or something not licensed for pharmacies to sell.

One other tip that I usually add on things like this. Once you get your antibiotics, DONT use cranberry juice. It's good at preventing uti because it coats your urinary tract and prevents bugs doing the same. But it does the same on antibiotics and stops them from getting to the right place to help. I was told this by a lovely old Urologist once while he was removing a kidney stone - got to talk about something when your feet are in stirrups and you have an epidural in place!!

Whereabouts are you OP? Maybe somebody can advise where to go? It sounds like it needs some medication :(

Thank you, I'm in Lower Stondon

Definitely go to a pharmacy. Lots of them can do consultations and prescribe antibiotics. I had a UTI recently and waited for 4 days but it definitely wasn't improving. Pharmacist prescribed antibiotics after a quick consult and within 24 hours the infection was improving.