Health anxiety spiralling and need help

[Hottcoffee]

I have recently developed awful health anxiety after a surgery I had went wrong and I was quite poorly. Since then I’m so worried about getting extremely ill and dying. I currently have a UTI, I got antibiotics for it today and I’ve had one but the symptoms seem to be getting worse, although I have no fever etc and I feel fine it’s very sore when I pee.

DH is out tonight and I’m on a spiral here at home thinking I will have sepsis tomorrow and not wake up. Can anyone please talk me down?

Which antibs are they?
How many days worth?

Ive had utis before and the antibs have always worked.

Lots of water, something good to watch, anything to distract yourself while the antibs get into your system

Also personally familiar with health anxiety

Also, on a lighter note- look at both our usernames 😄

They take time to kick in . One tablet wont get rid of the burning sensation. Just drink plenty of water and try to distract yourself with a favourite tv show/film. Or something similar.

If Im in an anxiety spiral I do something like sudoku or crosswords to keep my mind busy and focused so it cant 'wander off' and escalate. That with a film or good tv programme in the background might help.
Hope youre feeling better soon

I have 7 days worth of nitrofurantoin, i haven’t taken them for a while. I know I need to stay off Google but it’s addictive!

I think it normally takes about 48 hours for antibiotics to take effect, so you won't be feeling any change after only taking one dose. If you're feeling no better after a couple of days, then it would be a good idea to go back to your GP.

In the meantime, drink plenty of water to flush the bacteria out of your system, take paracetamol for the pain, and maybe try a hot water bottle to soothe your tum.

I completely understand why you are worried, especially after your horrible experience previously (I have health anxiety myself so know what it's like to feel out of control), but you've started your treatment now so hopefully you'll be feeling better soon.

The best thing you can do is distract yourself. What about a film or what about baking a cake or reading a book or listening to a podcast or a nice bath

That antib has always worked for me. As someone else said, 48 hours to kick in though

In the longer term, I kept a diary to help with my health anxiety. Wrote every symptom and what I thought it was, along with outcome. Ten and twenty years on it helps me rationalise my thoughts. I also take duloxetine.

I also have life insurance and critical illness cover as it gives me a lot of reassurance.

Hi there, UTI’s are horrible and can make you feel very down.

I took nitrofurantoin on and off for over a year as I had a complex kidney problem.

To stop it hurting when you pee you can drink 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) dissolved in a glass of water it will reduce painful, stinging urination (dysuria) by neutralizing acid in the urine.

You will be fine, you need to drink plenty and sleep.

The baking soda really helps and works quickly, obvs it will not stop the infection but will deal with the symptoms.

Utis can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, which is why when it seems there are early signs of dementia all healthcare professionals are advised to test for UTIs to rule that out as a factor.
sounds like you have been through a lot. Treat the uti, rest and relax. Think to yourself that in 3 days you will feel better. Don’t let the health anxiety demons get to you.